Take a deep breath, organization is EASY!
The Black Abyss - Closet Organization
If you've lived in your home for more than 6 months then chances are you're closets are scary places. I swear mine sometimes lead to alternate realities. I'm supremely organized, some even might refer to me as anal (even to my face, shockingly.) And even I can't keep kids (or my husband) from using closet space as a catch-all or a place to shove things they don't feel like finding the right home for. Alright, I'll admit it, I too have been known to shove things into a closet when unexpected guests knock at the door (now get that spotlight out of my face, yeesh.) As anal as I am, I still don't get to dig out the clutter but once every quarter; but I'm fully aware not everyone's priorities will be the same. If you can't find the time to dig in but once or twice a year, the tools are still the same. So is the procedure.
Tools of the Brave
Every Organized Diva has her own tools, those things kept easily within reach that help keep her sane. No matter how crazy your schedule, no matter how many hellions rampage through your home on any given day, or how big your closets, there are little (cheap!) tools that make things run more smoothly.
* Plastic Containers - various sizes from the very big to the very small. You can usually find these pretty cheap. Don't get too
fancy, as 90 % will be hidden away in closets and cabinates.
* Label Maker - these are fairly cheap (you can find some for about $20) make sure you get plenty of printing tape, I
suggest the self-adhesive kind, they save time.
* Peace and Quiet...wait that's not realistic. Instead I suggest willing (or obedient) slaves.
* Big Garbage Bags - you'd be surprised how many broken and scary things might be hiding in your closet
* Cardboard Boxes and Moving Tape - some things are seasonal, some can be put into storage.
* Permanent Markers - some things don't need our pretty labels, especially those cardboard boxes.
* Index Cards - sometimes you need to make a list
* Pens & Tape
* 3 Ring Binders - I suggest one for each closet if you're as anal as I. Otherwise check out our scheduling section.
fancy, as 90 % will be hidden away in closets and cabinates.
* Label Maker - these are fairly cheap (you can find some for about $20) make sure you get plenty of printing tape, I
suggest the self-adhesive kind, they save time.
* Peace and Quiet...wait that's not realistic. Instead I suggest willing (or obedient) slaves.
* Big Garbage Bags - you'd be surprised how many broken and scary things might be hiding in your closet
* Cardboard Boxes and Moving Tape - some things are seasonal, some can be put into storage.
* Permanent Markers - some things don't need our pretty labels, especially those cardboard boxes.
* Index Cards - sometimes you need to make a list
* Pens & Tape
* 3 Ring Binders - I suggest one for each closet if you're as anal as I. Otherwise check out our scheduling section.
Closet Organization Procedure
First take a deep breath! This won't be as scary as you might think. Secondly, think long and hard about helpers. You'll need a strong back to drag things to the basement, garage, garbage or storage, but you might get easily overwhelmed or irritated if those same helpers attempt to help you organize. I know both my kids and husband are notorious for either throwing away everything or refusing to throw things away - there seems to be no middle ground with those three. Ugh.
PREP WORK:
1. Make a list of what this specific closet is for, and STICK TO IT! If you're in your kitchen pantry, then you don't want cleaning chemicals stored there, unless absolutely necessary. If you're in your bedroom closet you don't want to store your laundry bleach (trust me, I have son's you never know what kind of 'accidents' can occur). On the other hand, how much easily accessable storage space you have isn't known by me. If you only have 1 closet then you'll have to be REALLY organized. But for everyone who has several nooks and cranies, make a general list or description of what you want/need to be stored in this location. I like to tape said description on the back of the door. (This is cool as a supply list as well, when low on detergent then I cross off the list for when making my grocery list!)
2. Set up your organizing room. For me this tends to be the living room or nearest large, clear, floor space available to me. In this room, I set up a table top with my marker, pens, paper, label printer, etc. I also keep my pile of plastic containers at the ready. Don't forget your phone. There is nothing more irritating then having to unbury yourself as you dart out of the room to answer the phone - although I have been known to change my recording on my 'Spring Cleaning" days telling everyone to call back tomorrow or leave a message if it's an emergency and I'd hope to get the message when the dust bunnies finally receive their ransom demands. But, then, everyone knows I'm sarcastic and blunt so it surprises none of my family and friends. If you feel you have to be available to the phone, then make sure it's within easy reach or in a pocket. Furthermore, on speaking of distractions, make sure there are no visual distractions to your work. That means NO TV, unless you're like my BFF Dani who listens to tv more than watching it. If the tv is on then I have to look at it repeatedly, which slows the cleaning frensy down. Put on some music, or else go with total silence. This will allow you to focus which will make the whole process go much quicker.
3. Dress appropriately! You'd think I wouldn't have to point this out. Really you would. But here's some honest speaking. Cleaning out the closet is a dirty job. There will be dust, broken bags of unrecognizable materials you have to hide from HAZ-MAT. You'll eventually be crawling on your knees, hoping over piles of keep sakes, etc. I strongly suggest wearing your 'painting' clothes. These would be the grubby, stretchy waist, 'no one better show up now!" clothes we all hide from those whose respect we want. Tie back your hair from your face. You get the drift. You need to be comfortable, able to easily move, and in something you don't mind getting filthy.
Getting Down To Business:
1. Clear it out, but in an organized fashion! (ok I realize I may need profeshional help). Seriously, don't just go in there and shove everything out, you'll be much more likely to again shove everything back in. I specifically recommended a room with large floor space for a reason. I'm all about piles, but you could easily work right with your plastic containers if you have limited floor space available. One pile is for things that don't fit the 'closet decription' - these go together to be sorted later. Don't get distracted by sorting them now, you'll eventually get to the closet or drawer where they truly belong. Put them in a box or bucket or pile and pretend they no longer exist. The rest of the things are going to go back into the closet. So they need to be sorted by 'likeness' or 'usefulness'. If you have limited closet space you'll need to put the more often used items toward the front of the closet while the less used items go to the back. If there's something you grab everyday then you also don't want to be digging through a large bucket when a small drawer or container would be easier. Organization only works if it's easy to find things later on! As an example I'll tell you about my craft closet. As a homeschooler, I have an abundance of odds and ends to help my kids artistic qualities to flourish. If it's not supremely organized then everytime the kids go to get some paint they'll destroy the entire closet. So one little container has beads & accessories (for making beaded jewlery or crafts). For this I have a divided container, so everything is sorted by color. One plastic container is strictly fabric scraps, while another is strictly for scrapbooking supplies. One small container is for everyday crafts - glue, scissors, small paint sets & markers. Etc. You get the idea. Keep it simple!
2. Once you have everything in piles then you can determine the Usefullness factor. Some piles might be necessary to store in this closet, but not stuff you use regularly. If we continue using my craft closet as an example, then my candle making supplies would count here. Candle making is an all day project, so we don't do it often. Since it's not used more than once a week, I can put this container on the bottom or toward the back of the closet. Start organizing your piles into appropriate containers. Keep in mind you'll also have a pile for the garbage & one for donation, things that go into storage or another location just get put together for now (unless you have a large pile for storage, then you can just keep those all together).
3. Label!! Before shutting the lid on the container, make a label of what's in that container. If one container is full of more than a single 'theme' (like candle-making supplies) then I suggest using an index card or piece of paper to list the contents. Place all labels on the front of side of the container, where you can see them when in the closet. (You'd hate to have to drag everything out to see what's labeled only on the lid). Plus with everything clearly labeled it's harder for your husband/kids to say they didn't know where an item belongs!
4. Re-stack. Now you can begin putting the containers back into the closet. From your clear labeling you'll know which containers need to go on the bottom or back of the closet as less accessible.
5. Shut the door and move away from the closet! That's right you're done. Don't spend forever rearranging your stack of containers or their order. THis is something you'll be changing pretty regularly as you find you use one container more than another. Trust me, you can't forsee everything. (dang it!)
Post Work
1. Now you can go through the miscelaneous pile - those extras that belong in different locations than the closet you were just in. Have a helper bring things to the garbage. Bag up donation items. And place storage items in a clearly labeled container, then have helper bring it to storage.
Wha-La! You have an organized & clean closet!!
PREP WORK:
1. Make a list of what this specific closet is for, and STICK TO IT! If you're in your kitchen pantry, then you don't want cleaning chemicals stored there, unless absolutely necessary. If you're in your bedroom closet you don't want to store your laundry bleach (trust me, I have son's you never know what kind of 'accidents' can occur). On the other hand, how much easily accessable storage space you have isn't known by me. If you only have 1 closet then you'll have to be REALLY organized. But for everyone who has several nooks and cranies, make a general list or description of what you want/need to be stored in this location. I like to tape said description on the back of the door. (This is cool as a supply list as well, when low on detergent then I cross off the list for when making my grocery list!)
2. Set up your organizing room. For me this tends to be the living room or nearest large, clear, floor space available to me. In this room, I set up a table top with my marker, pens, paper, label printer, etc. I also keep my pile of plastic containers at the ready. Don't forget your phone. There is nothing more irritating then having to unbury yourself as you dart out of the room to answer the phone - although I have been known to change my recording on my 'Spring Cleaning" days telling everyone to call back tomorrow or leave a message if it's an emergency and I'd hope to get the message when the dust bunnies finally receive their ransom demands. But, then, everyone knows I'm sarcastic and blunt so it surprises none of my family and friends. If you feel you have to be available to the phone, then make sure it's within easy reach or in a pocket. Furthermore, on speaking of distractions, make sure there are no visual distractions to your work. That means NO TV, unless you're like my BFF Dani who listens to tv more than watching it. If the tv is on then I have to look at it repeatedly, which slows the cleaning frensy down. Put on some music, or else go with total silence. This will allow you to focus which will make the whole process go much quicker.
3. Dress appropriately! You'd think I wouldn't have to point this out. Really you would. But here's some honest speaking. Cleaning out the closet is a dirty job. There will be dust, broken bags of unrecognizable materials you have to hide from HAZ-MAT. You'll eventually be crawling on your knees, hoping over piles of keep sakes, etc. I strongly suggest wearing your 'painting' clothes. These would be the grubby, stretchy waist, 'no one better show up now!" clothes we all hide from those whose respect we want. Tie back your hair from your face. You get the drift. You need to be comfortable, able to easily move, and in something you don't mind getting filthy.
Getting Down To Business:
1. Clear it out, but in an organized fashion! (ok I realize I may need profeshional help). Seriously, don't just go in there and shove everything out, you'll be much more likely to again shove everything back in. I specifically recommended a room with large floor space for a reason. I'm all about piles, but you could easily work right with your plastic containers if you have limited floor space available. One pile is for things that don't fit the 'closet decription' - these go together to be sorted later. Don't get distracted by sorting them now, you'll eventually get to the closet or drawer where they truly belong. Put them in a box or bucket or pile and pretend they no longer exist. The rest of the things are going to go back into the closet. So they need to be sorted by 'likeness' or 'usefulness'. If you have limited closet space you'll need to put the more often used items toward the front of the closet while the less used items go to the back. If there's something you grab everyday then you also don't want to be digging through a large bucket when a small drawer or container would be easier. Organization only works if it's easy to find things later on! As an example I'll tell you about my craft closet. As a homeschooler, I have an abundance of odds and ends to help my kids artistic qualities to flourish. If it's not supremely organized then everytime the kids go to get some paint they'll destroy the entire closet. So one little container has beads & accessories (for making beaded jewlery or crafts). For this I have a divided container, so everything is sorted by color. One plastic container is strictly fabric scraps, while another is strictly for scrapbooking supplies. One small container is for everyday crafts - glue, scissors, small paint sets & markers. Etc. You get the idea. Keep it simple!
2. Once you have everything in piles then you can determine the Usefullness factor. Some piles might be necessary to store in this closet, but not stuff you use regularly. If we continue using my craft closet as an example, then my candle making supplies would count here. Candle making is an all day project, so we don't do it often. Since it's not used more than once a week, I can put this container on the bottom or toward the back of the closet. Start organizing your piles into appropriate containers. Keep in mind you'll also have a pile for the garbage & one for donation, things that go into storage or another location just get put together for now (unless you have a large pile for storage, then you can just keep those all together).
3. Label!! Before shutting the lid on the container, make a label of what's in that container. If one container is full of more than a single 'theme' (like candle-making supplies) then I suggest using an index card or piece of paper to list the contents. Place all labels on the front of side of the container, where you can see them when in the closet. (You'd hate to have to drag everything out to see what's labeled only on the lid). Plus with everything clearly labeled it's harder for your husband/kids to say they didn't know where an item belongs!
4. Re-stack. Now you can begin putting the containers back into the closet. From your clear labeling you'll know which containers need to go on the bottom or back of the closet as less accessible.
5. Shut the door and move away from the closet! That's right you're done. Don't spend forever rearranging your stack of containers or their order. THis is something you'll be changing pretty regularly as you find you use one container more than another. Trust me, you can't forsee everything. (dang it!)
Post Work
1. Now you can go through the miscelaneous pile - those extras that belong in different locations than the closet you were just in. Have a helper bring things to the garbage. Bag up donation items. And place storage items in a clearly labeled container, then have helper bring it to storage.
Wha-La! You have an organized & clean closet!!
Room Organization
Not everything will fit in a closet. And you don't necessarily want big plastic bins all throughout your living room. I like finding cool means of storing odds and ends - like making an ottoman that has a hidden compartment for storing baby toys. I LOVE baskets. But to keep the floor clear of debris, and for fast cleaning, I like to make sure everything is easily stackable (especially those baskets). Don't be afraid to use bookshelves to store a basket or DVD's up out of the way. Just keep in mind praticality. There will always be specific toys or games in the living room, make sure they have an easy home within the room for quick cleans, then you can do your more 'in depth' cleaning where those go to their 'real' homes.
