As we (finally) bring 2020 to a close, now is a great time to start thinking about a fresh start for 2021.
Many of you have spent more time in your homes over the last several months than you ever imagined possible. You may have noticed several unfinished projects around your house. If you were ambitious and took advantage of this time, perhaps you tackled a few of them. Congratulations!
Did you clean out those closets? Organize the kitchen junk drawer? Purge old paperwork?
No? Don't worry, you're not alone.
It can be intimidating trying to figure out a game plan to get organized. Where do you begin? Here are some tips to help you plan your strategy for organizing your entire home and bringing some peace to the new year.
Make a list. Start by writing down every area of your home that needs to be organized. This may be a long list! Keep in mind you're not going to finish everything in one day, one week, or even one month. The key here is to simply identify what needs to be accomplished.
Prioritize your list. Next, look at your list and identify the top one or two areas that need immediate attention. It could be addressing the home office to accommodate parents working from home as well as children attending virtual classes. Or, it may be taming the mudroom that is overtaken by backpacks and sports equipment. Whatever your need, start with the most important area first.
Break it down into smaller tasks. Beginning with your first priority area, break it down into manageable phases that can be completed in one session. For example, the first step to organizing a mudroom might be to remove all shoes and coats that are damaged or that have been outgrown. The next step would be to determine if damaged items can be repaired or if outgrown items are in good enough condition to be donated.
Delegate. One of the biggest pitfalls people have when it comes to organizing is feeling like they have to do it all themselves. This often results in delaying the project, sometimes indefinitely. Don't be afraid to ask others to pitch in. Enlist the help of your children or perhaps a friend who love to organize. A great rule to help decide what can be delegated is: If it takes your personality and skills, do it. If it doesn't, delegate it.
Track your progress. A checklist is a great way to keep track of your projects and progress. Crossing off a completed task gives a sense of accomplishment and provides the incentive to keep going. Small tasks add up to completed projects.
Reward success. Anyone who has ever gone on a diet knows the incentive of a cheat day. The same can be applied to organizing your home. Once an area is completely organized, treat yourself with a new outfit or some new colored bins for the next project – or maybe a hot fudge sundae!
Make a commitment to stay organized. Without a bit of maintenance, all of your hard work can disappear very quickly. Create a plan to maintain your newfound organization by assessing your spaces periodically to prevent them from returning to their former chaos. This could be a simple as taking a few minutes each week to file paperwork, or changing out seasonal clothing in your closets every couple of months. Once you begin, you will discover how fulfilling organization can be. Maintain that momentum to work your way through your whole list of projects.
Rules of Thumb. No matter which area you are organizing, there are a few rules of thumb that may help:
-
Start organizing by separating items into 3 categories: Keep, donate and discard.
-
Keep anything you currently use.
-
Donate items you no longer use that are in good condition.
-
Discard anything stained, damaged or otherwise unusable.
-
-
Use the 2-Year Rule. Donate or Discard items you haven’t used or worn in the last two years. Here’s a trick to help you determine which clothing items not in your regular rotation: when hanging up clean clothes, turn the hanger backwards. Soon you will be able to quickly identify which items have not been worn recently. Those are good candidates for the Donate bin.
-
Replace it, don’t add to it. When you buy something new, remove something old. If you practice this, it will also help curb impulse buying.
-
Make your new mantra: A place for everything, and everything in its place. Don't fall back into old habits of just shoving things in random spaces. It really does reduce stress when you can easily find what you are looking for.
-
Start small and do a little at a time. Like any good habit, organization is an ongoing process.
Still not sure where to begin? Call Closet Factory.
Closet Factory develops solutions tailored to your needs. We design, manufacture and install custom closets, home offices, mudrooms, garages, pantries, entertainment centers, wall beds and more!
Our designers are experts in organization and space planning. We can help you establish the groundwork for becoming and staying organized.
Let us help create a plan for you. Call (216) 362-4660 or visit closetfactory.com to schedule a free in-home or virtual design consultation.