Need More Desk Room?

Store basic office tools in a drawer. Items such as paper clips, the stapler, spare staples, ruler, rubber bands, etc., stored in a drawer means more work space on the desktop and makes your desk look and feel less cluttered.

My sister is doing a major re-organizing of her house. I wish I lived close by so I could help, but she is doing great on her own! She is blogging about her progress. I was posting a comment about her progress and giving "just a few little suggestions" so I thought I better stop and do it here on MY blog!

Here is what I wrote to her:

The kitchen is always the slowest to organize. One reason is because we accumlate so many things in the kitchen we really don't need. (Remember Steve's FIVE whisks?) My sister knew this story, but of course you don't... When my husband and I got married, he had five whisks in his kitchen. He hardly, if ever, cooks! Why in the world did he need five whisks?

Another reason is because it is the heart of our homes...it get used a lot for lots of reasons so it tends to get accumulate lots of clutter. Make the kitchen about cooking and preparing meals. Move your paperwork, your desk, your business (yes, I know someone that keeps their business inventory in the kitchen) to another part of the house, if at all possible.

One way to think about the kitchen when organizing it is to create boundaries by making the stuff fit the kitchen storage space instead of trying to make the storage space fit the stuff. For example, if you only have room in your utensil drawer for two spatulas, get rid of the other 10 instead of trying to cram them in the space.

Use drawer dividers and storage containers to create a "home" for the items in your kitchen. Look back at one of the earliest posts on this blog and you'll see some pictures of what I mean.

Kitchen Organization

As a professional organizer, a question people ask me frequently is "Where do I start organizing?" My reply is the kitchen. We all have to eat and in most families, the kitchen is the family gathering spot.

• First, define your goals for the kitchen. Do you want to have family meals around the table? Are you trying to cut food expenses? Do you want to eat healthy? As with any goal...write them down.
• Look for ways the kitchen can support your goals. Does the fridge need to be cleaned out to make room for healthy food choices? Does the kitchen or dining room table need to be cleared of clutter so you can sit down together as a family? Does the cabinets need to be cleaned and arranged to use the oldest food so as not to waste?
• Clear the counter tops. Food prep is so much easier when you have the room to do the preparation. You will save money and time by clearing the counters.
• Tools? If your knives are dull, have them professionally sharpened or replaced. Having too many gadgets clutters a kitchen. How many spatulas, wooden spoons, can openers or whisks do you really need? Do you use the egg slicer, the cheese slicer, the garlic press, the blender, the juicer and the crockpot that the liner isn't removable? If the answer is no, then purge your kitchen of unnecessary items.
• Get rid of chipped mugs and dishes and those plastic containers that are stained, have writing on them (like old Cool Whip containers) and no longer have lids.

Ideas for Clutter-free Gift Giving

- Tickets to a show, game, concert, etc.

- Edibles. Coffee of the month, fruit of the month, chocolate of the month are
some ideas, or how about baking or making something edible?

- Memberships to museums, the gym, the zoo, AAA travel club, etc.

- Pampering gifts. Give the gift of massage. Lotions or bath oils. Skin care
products. For fabulous Mary Kay gift ideas, contact Louise-Annette Burgess at
www.marykay.com/LBurgess

- Organization. Give a gift certificate from a professional organizer.

- Lessons and classes. Golf, computer, art, tennis, yoga, martial arts, dancing,
personal trainer sessions, cooking, gardening, etc.

- Netflix or Blockbuster subscription for someone on your list that loves movies.

- Gifts that save time. Gift certificate for cleaning services, lawn mowing or car
wash/detailing

- Gift Certificates for a person’s favorite restaurant

- Babysitting – make certificates to be cashed in for babysitting

- Make a donation to gift recipient’s favorite charity

Handy Storage Containers

Here are a couple of pictures of favorite storage containers I like to use for clients and for myself. You can buy these at Staples, in the store and online. I know the black ones are readily available online. Sometimes the stores (and it varies from store to store) will have them in colors, too. I have seen navy and also striped.

The containers snap together and hold a multitude of items. You can use them closed or open for taller items. The lid makes a nice tray when you are using them open.

My tip for buying storage containers. Don't buy them until after you have sorted through the items you want to store and know what size and how many you need.