Get Organized in Three Simple Steps
Looking to get organized? Tackle any room or space in your house—closets, CD collection, kitchen, fridge, bathroom, garage, or wherever else—by keeping these three lessons in mind:
Go Back to Kindergarten: Every room, closet, and space should get organized around the concept of a kindergarten classroom—divide each one into "activity zones" that reflect what takes place in those specific spaces. That means grouping similar items together. Great home organization relies on having plenty of baskets, bins, boxes and dividers to keep your categories separated.
Shed the Excess: Get rid of anything that is obsolete, extraneous, broken, torn, stained or just plain annoying. The key to get organize is to fill each space only with what you (and your family) uses regularly and loves—so you can quickly find what you need when you need it, and put it away with speed (because you actually know where it goes!). Since food's constantly spoiling and paper are constantly piling up, make it your routine to purge extra stuff periodically to make way for new items.
Have Fun: Getting organized doesn't have to be torture or a source of battles in your house. Involve your spouse and kids in the design and maintenance of your organization ideas and systems—that can help you all get excited to get organization, take the burden off you, and teach your kids how to organize just about anything—what a beneficial life skill to pass along! So get them started as soon as they can walk and talk.
By Julie Morgenstern
report abuseGo Back to Kindergarten: Every room, closet, and space should get organized around the concept of a kindergarten classroom—divide each one into "activity zones" that reflect what takes place in those specific spaces. That means grouping similar items together. Great home organization relies on having plenty of baskets, bins, boxes and dividers to keep your categories separated.
Shed the Excess: Get rid of anything that is obsolete, extraneous, broken, torn, stained or just plain annoying. The key to get organize is to fill each space only with what you (and your family) uses regularly and loves—so you can quickly find what you need when you need it, and put it away with speed (because you actually know where it goes!). Since food's constantly spoiling and paper are constantly piling up, make it your routine to purge extra stuff periodically to make way for new items.
Have Fun: Getting organized doesn't have to be torture or a source of battles in your house. Involve your spouse and kids in the design and maintenance of your organization ideas and systems—that can help you all get excited to get organization, take the burden off you, and teach your kids how to organize just about anything—what a beneficial life skill to pass along! So get them started as soon as they can walk and talk.
By Julie Morgenstern
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