A place for everything and everything in its place. It is an old adage, but a valid one, because a home full of clutter and unorganized odds and ends can not only cost time and money, but also peace of mind.
Getting ready in the morning, preparing dinner, and unwinding before bed, can all be simplified with organizational tools easing stress and uncomplicating life. Heather Blue Harkovich of Heather Scott Home and Design advises homeowners on simple ways to reduce clutter by organizing with purpose from room to room.
IN THE KITCHEN
The freezer is not usually considered when it comes to a potential space to organize, but it often becomes a black hole, hiding steak and ice cream under mounds of vegetables and smoothie mixes. Instead of simply shoving items in after a trip to the grocery store, organize items by shelf so you can easily find what is inside, tossing items every few months that have not been used. Harkovich also recommends dividers for utensil drawers, assigning everything a place, tossing duplicate utensils and small appliances like juicers and pasta makers that are not often used.
IN THE LIVING ROOM
Often the space where families spend the most time, the living room can quickly become cluttered. Instead of leaving magazines, books, charging cables, and remote controls lying about, use stylish baskets or boxes to organize these items. Harkovich also recommends replacing knick-knacks and small décor with larger pieces that make a statement and reducing clutter.
IN THE BEDROOM
“I don’t think you should have any clutter in your bedroom,” Harkovich says. After all, it is a place to rest and relax. While she recommends plenty of closed storage solutions for other rooms, she suggests refraining from doing so in the bedroom, where excess drawers often collect junk. Instead, store all clothing and accessories in the closet, instead of using dressers and wardrobes. This will simplify getting ready in the morning, as everything you need will be in one place. In the closet, be sure to group items according to purpose to make them easy to find.
IN THE BATHROOM
The usefulness of assorted baskets cannot be understated in the bathroom. Use small baskets to separate makeup and hair products in drawers while larger ones can hold cleaning supplies and extra necessities, like spare toothpaste and shampoo. This kind of storage will make everything easy to find, and you will know when it is time to replace items.
IN THE OFFICE
If working from home, make sure to design a space you will want to work in, planning for the type of clutter, paperwork, and files you might have. Purchase storage and furniture such as filing cabinets and a desk that fit your specific needs.
IN THE CLOSET
Whether a linen closet, hall closet, or storage closet, baskets are once again Harkovich’s go-to organizational necessity. “Baskets are super for things like gloves and scarves.” A simple shoe rack will keep mounds of footwear from piling up. Sort through closet contents a few times a year. Judiciously separate items that are no longer worn or in use, to help keep closets clutter free.
IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM
Harkovich has a rolling rack complete with shelves in her laundry room. It is perfect for hanging clothes to dry, keeping shoes and other items off the floor, and storing laundry room essentials. Similar devices come highly recommended.
The easiest way to keep a home organized is to design with organization in mind. Select furniture and accents that pull double duty as stylish and functional. Entertainment consoles with doors instead of open shelves, and tables with drawers, provide designated space for all items, while keeping them hidden from sight. Aside from a complete room redesign, there are a few things Mrs. Harkovich recommends to perform quick fixes over the weekend. Sift through closets and drawers in every room. Weed out items you do not need, then haul them off to the nearest thrift store. “Be really ruthless about the things you don’t need,” says Harkovich.
Purchase stylish baskets in various sizes for each room of the house so to start organizing and decluttering. A label maker is handy for closed storage, eliminating the need to search through multiple bins in the future. Designate spaces for everything from mail and bills to cords and cables, and confine them to their place. It is all about identifying problem areas so you can find a solution. Bring a clutter-free design and a sense of well-being into your home.
