Do you have items in your space that you are having a difficult time parting with? Ask yourself if they are in keeping with your larger goals
I have a list of excuses that my client's always seem to come up with while we are decluttering their space. We now post them up as the "But List". Read through the list and see if you are using any of the excuses to avoid disposing of an item:)
Here they are, in no particular order
1. But..... I am going to fix in one day.
2. But.....I need it just in case.
3. But.....I will sell it at a yard sale or online.
4. But.....It might be worth something someday.
5. But.....Someone else may be able to use it.
6. But.....I paid perfectly good money for it.
7. But.....(insert name here) gave it to me.
Showing posts with label organize. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organize. Show all posts
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
30 Tips for Organizing through the month of April
Chose one of these ideas per day and you will see how much you can accomplish.
1. Do one small organizational task daily, no matter how small. Clean out one drawer or the top shelf in your pantry. Just think: After a month, you'll have checked 30 things off your to-do list.
2. Ensure that you have a proper landing zone for when you walk through the door. Is there a place for keys, mail, groceries, paperwork or do you need to create a space?
3. Pick up or look after the mail only once a week on the day that you have time to deal with the incoming mail.
4. Open the mail over the shredder or recycling bin, and get rid of the junk immediately. This forces you to make quick and definitive decisions so nothing piles up in your hallway or anywhere else.
5. Set up files to handle the mail, READ, ACTION, FILE and TOSS (RAFT) Give a date to the action files.
6. Clean out your fridge the day before garbage day. With a clean fridge you will know what you need for groceries. http://www.stilltasty.com/ will tell you if the food in your fridge, freezer and pantry is still good to eat.
7. Have a menu/meal planner. Not only does it save you time and money, you will find that you will eat better meals. You can start with a week, two week or even a month at a time. Make double or triple the recipes to have some on hand in the freezer. Help your kids plan the menu and even prepare and cook some of the meals.
8. Store frozen foods and meats in easily accessible, labeled plastic bins. You'll never freeze your fingers hunting through your well-stocked but overpacked freezer again.
9. Go through your kitchen to see if you are truly using everything you have in the kitchen. Do you really use the breadmaker, the large food processor?
Put all appliances that you do not use on a regular basis under the counter.
10. Keep you counters clean and ready for food prep.
11. Increase accessibility and capacity.You can do this by adding extra shelves, pullout shelves, rotating inserts and tilt-out bins.You can double or triple the storage in your cupboards.
12 Use cork. blackboard or magnetic boards on the inside of your kitchen cupboards for lists, notes, calendars. If covered with magnetic paint, they can accommodate papers and notes that might get knocked off a fridge in a small space.
1. Do one small organizational task daily, no matter how small. Clean out one drawer or the top shelf in your pantry. Just think: After a month, you'll have checked 30 things off your to-do list.
2. Ensure that you have a proper landing zone for when you walk through the door. Is there a place for keys, mail, groceries, paperwork or do you need to create a space?
3. Pick up or look after the mail only once a week on the day that you have time to deal with the incoming mail.
4. Open the mail over the shredder or recycling bin, and get rid of the junk immediately. This forces you to make quick and definitive decisions so nothing piles up in your hallway or anywhere else.
5. Set up files to handle the mail, READ, ACTION, FILE and TOSS (RAFT) Give a date to the action files.
6. Clean out your fridge the day before garbage day. With a clean fridge you will know what you need for groceries. http://www.stilltasty.com/ will tell you if the food in your fridge, freezer and pantry is still good to eat.
7. Have a menu/meal planner. Not only does it save you time and money, you will find that you will eat better meals. You can start with a week, two week or even a month at a time. Make double or triple the recipes to have some on hand in the freezer. Help your kids plan the menu and even prepare and cook some of the meals.
8. Store frozen foods and meats in easily accessible, labeled plastic bins. You'll never freeze your fingers hunting through your well-stocked but overpacked freezer again.
9. Go through your kitchen to see if you are truly using everything you have in the kitchen. Do you really use the breadmaker, the large food processor?
Put all appliances that you do not use on a regular basis under the counter.
10. Keep you counters clean and ready for food prep.
11. Increase accessibility and capacity.You can do this by adding extra shelves, pullout shelves, rotating inserts and tilt-out bins.You can double or triple the storage in your cupboards.
12 Use cork. blackboard or magnetic boards on the inside of your kitchen cupboards for lists, notes, calendars. If covered with magnetic paint, they can accommodate papers and notes that might get knocked off a fridge in a small space.
Time to Spring Clean and Organize Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is your mobile first impression. With the warmer weather upon us please take advantage to spring clean your vehicle, both inside and out.
Interior Car Cleaning
If you spend a lot of time in your vehicle and especially if you have kids, you will probably have accumulated a little bit of clutter and some undesireable odours over the winter.
Maintenance
Interior Car Cleaning
Clear out garbage, declutter extra toys, papers, unused articles from inside your car. Make sure to check under seats and in the trunk for anything that could be hiding, especially food. Clean the dashboard, consoles, door panels and interior windows. Remove floor mats and vacuum the carpets and seats.
There are many safe and environmentally friendly cleaning products to help clean your car. Get the family involved, they might be inspired to clean up immediately after a drive instead of doing a massive clean.
Exterior Car Cleaning
If you a like me, you will be taking your car through a commercial car wash before doing the fine tuning of cleaning the wheel wells and inside of the door..
Restock the car with tissues, maps, umbrellas and anything else you or your family requires in your car. Organize the trunk so that you have your shopping bins, first aid kit, and roadside emergency kit.
Ensure that baby seats are mounted correctly.
Keeping your car clean and organized is a simple maintenance step that makes a big difference to how your car looks and how you’ll feel driving it. Make it fun by inviting friends or family to help you out.
Monday, February 22, 2010
5 STEPS TO DEVELOPING A COLOUR SCHEME FOR YOUR HOME
DEVELOPING A COLOUR SCHEME.
STEP #1 Determine the mood of the room and what activities are to take place in that room. Find your inspiration
Examples: a piece of artwork, rug, pillow, a room from a magazine, or even a favourite article of clothing. Choose three main colours.
STEP #2 Make a list of all items that are staying in the room; of all architectural details; and items that you wish to add to the room.
STEP #3 Determine your most colourful item. Determine how wall colour fits into your scheme.
STEP #4 Create a sample (story) board (show example) using your colour and fabric samples, photos of items you want included (furniture and fixtures), a sample of the hardwood if applicable. This sample board can be done on a piece of foam core board. Assemble all the pieces on a board.
STEP #5 Take sample board to the paint store in order to make some preliminary colour selections.
STEP #1 Determine the mood of the room and what activities are to take place in that room. Find your inspiration
Examples: a piece of artwork, rug, pillow, a room from a magazine, or even a favourite article of clothing. Choose three main colours.
STEP #2 Make a list of all items that are staying in the room; of all architectural details; and items that you wish to add to the room.
STEP #3 Determine your most colourful item. Determine how wall colour fits into your scheme.
STEP #4 Create a sample (story) board (show example) using your colour and fabric samples, photos of items you want included (furniture and fixtures), a sample of the hardwood if applicable. This sample board can be done on a piece of foam core board. Assemble all the pieces on a board.
STEP #5 Take sample board to the paint store in order to make some preliminary colour selections.
Discover your Sense of Home
Most of us are aware that sights, sounds, textures and smells affect the way we feel. Which ones make you feel comfortable and fulfilled? Are there colors or objects that inspire you? Which of your belongings and photographs offer pleasant memories? What reflects who you really are?
A Positive Place
Your space should express who you are through its design, color, furniture, accessories and photographs. Is your space uncluttered, comfortable, safe, & functional? Is there beauty, color, and character? Do you feel relaxed yet energized in your space? Are you prepared and on top of things, allowing time for what really matters to you?
Feeling the Effects of Our Environment
Living in an environment that is poorly designed, disorganized, or not visually pleasing has a negative impact on your productivity and mood. Many of us settle for unsatisfactory spaces due to lack of money, time, or creative talent. As we view our surroundings on a regular basis we grow accustomed to the things that initially bothered us. However, research shows these initial concerns continue to affect us.
Turn Your Space Into a Home
Whether you want to fine-tune your environment to reflect who you are or need a complete makeover, turn your space into a home. Your living space can be transformed regardless of how small your budget may be. Start by evaluating what has prompted your desire for change. It could be an upcoming event, a houseguest, new baby, relocation, marriage, or divorce. Maybe you just know you need some change. Then work together in discovering what "home" is to you and others living with you while defining the purpose of the space. Next assess what is working and what is not. Then carefully consider what must be organized or eliminated, re-arranged and displayed
Go ahead - make your home your own.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Matching socks - Not!
I was reading a post earlier today about the time it takes to match clean socks from the laundry. That does not happen in this house. We enjoy life far too much to spend time matching socks. For myself, I purchase by the batch black tube socks that just get laid flat in the drawer so that I can grab and go. Husband buys only matching grey sports socks or black socks. Teens on the other hand belong to the facebook fan page "I do not wear matching socks". They look very colourful exiting the door in the mornings.
The point to all this is, if you do something that annoys you or bothers you, find another approach to make you life easier. My approach to being organized is a bit about being lazy and easy to accomplish.
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