Organization for the Home

by Maggie Haley

One of the first elements of organizing a home is your own mindset.  Do not allow the task of reforming a disorganized home make you anxious!  Think of the different areas that need work as separate and distinct jobs.  That way, you will feel good about tackling them one at a time and you can celebrate a little bit each time one area is organized!  If you think of your whole house as needing an organization makeover, you will certainly end up doing something else altogether, because that kind of job is just too big to think about!

When deciding which disorganized areas of the home to begin with, think of the areas in which you spend the most time.  This might be the kitchen, if you're home preparing three meals a day.  This might be the bedroom, if you are not usually home during the day.  This might be the nursery, if you've recently had a baby.  This might be the living room or dining room if you have school-aged children who are homeschooling or who aren't at school in the summer.  Whichever room is the one in which you spend the most time, begin your organization crusade there!  You will see the results of your efforts regularly and you will feel so good about how much being organized helps streamline your daily routines.

Before establishing a system for dealing with the "stuff" in the space you've chosen to being with, get a trash bag.  That's right -- organization begins with simplicity, and simplicity begins with less "stuff" and fewer "things"!  As an example, let's use the drawer or cupboard where you keep the plastic-ware -- dishes, bowls and boxes with mismatched lids and covers that seem to multiply like bunnies every time the cupboard door is closed!  We all have "favorites" of these items -- the sturdy bowl with the attached lid, the box that fits leftover chicken perfectly, the little cups for celery and carrot sticks ... but I would guess there are legions of plastic containers that have not seen the light of the fridge in eons!  Pitch them.  That's right -- keep what you use regularly and toss the rest!

Though throwing away your belongings may seem like a drastic measure in the quest for organization, it's an important first step.  Remember -- it is easier to maintain a smaller volume of organized "stuff" than it is a large volume.  Plus, most of our homes are full of "things" that distract us from what's really important about keeping an organized home.  Cutting your ties to those "things" that keep you from enjoying your space and using it to do the more important things (spending time with family, pursuing tasks that uplift and educate you, caring for your children) makes you less focused on the "things" of the world and more focused on the people of the world!  Home is a haven for the people who live there, and that's the most important reason to keep it organized!
 

Now that you've chosen a small "starter" space to organize and you've pitched all the unnecessary objects that were standing in the way of an organized space, think:  containers.  One of the best ways to maintain an established practice of organization is to "containerize" all the objects in that space. This way, everything has a distinct place and anyone who happens upon that space can easily see where to find things and where to put them back.  Containers are an excellent way to help children remember to "put away" (Hence, the toy chest!), but we all could use the reminder now and then.

Especially for enclosed spaces like under sinks or in kitchen cabinets, the containers you use do not have to be fancy or special.  Shoeboxes are a favorite -- and attractive when covered with contact paper, if you want to get fancy!  Flip the lid up and place it underneath the box for a little added support at the bottom.  Then line up the bottles, jars, cans, rags, sponges or whatever applies and slide it back into the cabinet!  Baskets are attractive for those spaces where guests might go looking.  Large baskets on the floor catch reading material, toys, clothes (when closet space is short), shoes and pet supplies.  For small spaces, like nightstand drawers or shallow desk or dresser drawers, think of those tiny boxes jewelry comes in -- this is why we've been saving all those little boxes all these years!  You might also use empty stationery boxes or small gift boxes.  Even use those tiny dishes that came with your wedding china -- what else on earth are you going to use them for, anyway?!?  

The last "general" thing to think about when organizing is to put away.  Often, we leave things visible in our surroundings because we think they "should" be out and ready to use at a moment's notice (the stand mixer on the kitchen counter is an excellent example).  Many of these things do not get used regularly and simply take up space.  A more peaceful, restful way to approach this problem is to keep these things where they are easily accessible when they are needed, but out of sight when they are not being used.  One of the ways to "get over" being able to grab your stand mixer in three seconds flat (for example) is to use storage space that is not necessarily associated with that object.  There is no cabinet big enough or empty enough in most kitchens to keep that stand mixer, but how about the garage?  Toss a clean cloth over it and put it on a low shelf where it's easily grabbed when you need it.  It's off the counter, out of sight, but still clean and ready to use.  Or how about those shelves along the steps down to the cellar?  If you don't have shelves like that, just grab some 2x4's and some brackets to make them yourself!  You would be surprised at how much "stuff" fits on a 2-inch wide shelf!  WD-40, anyone?

Deciding to keep an organized home is a decision that makes a lot of sense, logistically and emotionally.  Not only will you feel a great sense of accomplishment, but your family will benefit by being able to be a little more self-sufficient.  Finally, they will not have to search high and low or ask for things every time they need something.  Begin by discarding the excess.  You will not miss the chaos that comes with too much "stuff"!  Then, "containerize" what's left.  Think creatively to find containers that will keep "everything in its place."  Finally, "put away."  Don't leave something sitting out simply because it "should" be displayed.  Put it in an unexpected place where YOU can find it easily, and your surroundings will be more streamlined and peaceful.

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