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Topic: Home Organization Tips (Read 201 times) |
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Home Organization Tips
« on: Dec 4th, 2003, 8:34am » |
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Thanks for adding this one, Jordanne! Now this is a topic where I could use quite a little help! I spend so much time rummaging through our junk, just trying to find an item. Sometimes we both feel stalled on projects just because of this! So anyone have tips of their own to share? Feel free to post! 
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| « Last Edit: Dec 19th, 2003, 9:50am by Wildside » |
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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kygaloot
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I know that this is not what you are really asking for but I think that the first step is to simply get rid of stuff that is rarely used, or worse, never used. Donate it to your local Goodwill, or sell it in local consignment shops, or put it on ebay. Every time that I help someone move, I come home very motivated to clean out the attic and closets. It is so easy to accumulate stuff. Of course, this needs to be addressed mainly at the buying end (or beginning!) of the process.
In terms of practical tips, I would heartily recommend the book _Clutter's Last Stand_ by Don Aslet. (Yeah, I know, another book to add to the clutter, but maybe your library has a copy  )
Sunset Publishing also has some good books on home storage projects. I am thinking of the older publications which almost every library carries. Their newer books seem to focus on purchasing the newer expensive manufactured storage systems.
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KendraB225
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
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Re: Tips
« Reply #2 on: Dec 5th, 2003, 3:10pm » |
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I think that is an excellent suggestion. I try to throw away as much stuff as possible each week before trash pick up. It is much easier to clean without the extra clutter.
Kendra
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #3 on: Dec 5th, 2003, 7:44pm » |
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Ah, thanks for those replies today, kygaloot and Kendra! But perhaps I should have been more clear! What I need tips for is not clutter reduction, but rather ideas on how to find items that we really need when we need them!
We live in a small house that is a labrynth of awkward tiny rooms, so am continually working on clutter reduction already just to move around. One problem is that in an old home we don't have adequate closet or cabinet space as yet. And I need tips for how to successfully include organization ways in our remodeling and renovation plans.
These are some of the arenas in life in which I need our useful items (note: keepers!) organized:
1. Our day to day household, renovations, and long-term goals like finances, filing, taxes, etc. I need adequate dish, pots n' pans storage, food storage, etc. rather than just having it all sit out. We need a comfortable place to house our overnight guests too... Oh, this list goes on forever!
2. The garden biz (plus more! Just got the ok to sell coffee beans year round and am thinking of adding more organic food items -- will need a way to store everything safely before it goes out).
3. My dh's moonlighting massage biz
4. Our rental home (have a fire box for all the paperwork, but when our renters need something done, we need the right tool and know how at our fingertips, pronto!)
5. My portfolio of work samples, publications, letters of commendation, recommendation, etc. -- I finally downsized by shredding all my "brains" (computer programming) I'd saved in case I'd have to get back to my career lickety split! They are now compost! I also tossed out (recycled) materials I'd gathered for teaching classes. But still I feel the need to hang on to some of my past history and achievements at least!
Well, better stop here! I see that I have downsized my categories quite a bit since I've entered the slow lane -- but still there are many more not listed!
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #4 on: Dec 6th, 2003, 11:15am » |
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Forgive me, I am such an addict of this site, presently! It is now Saturday morning and I thought I would stop by and revisit this topic after a night's sleep.
From my ramblings above, I think it is clear that I need to sit down and scribble out some thoughts on a few scraps of paper in order to get my thinking about our organization needs more ORGANIZED! I need to list out each activity we hope to take place here, categorize it, and figure out specifically where in the house this activity should take place and where items for this activity are to be stored and then how are we going to easily store them in a manner where everything can be readily used, plus do this somehow in an aesthetically pleasing way. And every room is going to have to multi-task! Our work room/tool & misc storage is also going to have to be our guest room/office; our dining/living room is also going to have to be our library/music/entertainment room, so on and so forth! Just a reality of small-space living, I guess!
****************************************************
Note added Sunday AM:
It's clear too that I still need to work on simplifying my plans even though I thought I had and really don't want to do any more... Cut down on some of my interests, and things I hope to do. Since starting this urban homesteading plan and living without a 9 to 5 office J.O.B., it is interesting to learn that "having all the time in world" is never a reality! Nor is the idea of simply surviving on air! There is a cost to this, choices to be made, and a price to be paid. And other people's jealousies (real or imagined) to deal with.
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| « Last Edit: Dec 7th, 2003, 10:45am by Wildside » |
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #5 on: Dec 7th, 2003, 5:46pm » |
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FYI -- I posted some cheap, yet tasteful organization tool ideas under the "Junk Art"/trash to treasure category...
Do you have any ideas of this sort?
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #6 on: Dec 9th, 2003, 9:50am » |
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Clipped from the Alfuenza web site (links are posted over under Musings/Frugal Thoughts):
"Is junk mail cluttering your day, and your home? Send pre-paid envelopes back with a request that you be taken off the sender’s mailing list. To prevent the sale of your name, write the Direct Marketing Association, Box 9008 and Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY, 11735. It takes two letters (one P.O. box is for telephone lists, one for mailings, send the same letter to both), but this will drastically reduce your junk- mail clutter."
I've actually done this tip several times over and we are still being overwhelmed with junk mail -- so much that it even overwhelms our weekly streetside recycling allowance! (But finding this address again, reminded me I need to try doing it again). Every day I was getting angry and frustrated each time I picked up our mail, until I managed to turn my thinking around and be grateful for all the FREE scrap paper, address labels, envelopes I could want -- no need to buy paper items again? Aren't junk mailers so kind?! (Er, kidding... In case you might be interested I listed my crazed ideas for how I deal with the mail clutter and end up saving $ over in under Musings/Frugal Thoughts...)
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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Franklen
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I check in here every so often, but this is my first post. And not to revel in your disorganization, but it is so refreshing to read/learn of the experiences of others who are dealing with this issue of space and stuff. So unlike the immaculate spaces you see on t.v., in magazines, and so on, that can make one feel so inadequate in those areas.
This area really hits a nerve with me as my wife and I (just married for over a year) try and deal with combinging our items in a small 2 bedroom apartment, with space for fledgling small sewing business supplies and equipment, pots and pans that are always "out", tools and toolboxes that have no home and are moved from room to room as needed, one small closet for clothes, etc, etc.
I try to discard many things either through recycling, giving away, thrifting, trashing, but it seems we find just as many nice or nicer items out in the neighborhood's trash every week, that we sometimes can't pass up. This world is so full, that it is not hard to find or come across items either through curb surfing, relatives hand-me-downs, etc.
We very much use rooms as multi-spaces, and that is certainly limiting in cases. How does one person work on the computer if the other wants to watch t.v in the media/living room? How does one work on a project in the sewing/project room, if the other already has the space covered in materials? How do you use the kitchen table for sit down meals together when it is covered in mail and bills and cookbooks and papermaking supplies (we are making the paper for my brothers wedding invotes this year)etc, etc. I think that one small garage/outbuilding and a few more square feet per room, would serve us well in the future, but have to be careful not to grow to fit the space then as well.
Also saw a good post or two on this topic over at www.madameinsane.com, especially about how things (dishes, clothes, stuff, etc) pile up on a regular basis when going through life. Houses just aren't as neat as they are made out to be in the media, unless someone can devote a full-time aspect to them, or there is lots of extra space for storage. My home growing up was always neat and clean, well great, considering my mom was a housewife most of her life, my grandmother lived literally over the hill and helped out all the time, and we had a full basement/garage that could accomodate off-season storage very easily. Now where do I put my window unit air conditioner, that we use in the bedroom during the summer, now that I have taken it out for the winter?
Some solututions I have undertaken is adding storage shelving over the sink for drying and for pots and pans to hang, hanging lots of stuff on walls (shelves and shelves for fabric/craft supplies) but really can make the space seem smaller and crowded. Buildning up with higher shelving units to take advantage of that near ceiling space. One other issue is that once you get certain things into a space (like a hall closet for example where all our backpacking gear currently is) it sometimes is difficult to get to easily so you get it out less, not good for inspiring spontaneous trips, or maintaining gear (I should be seam sealing and waterproofing boots this winter right? I didn't get to it last year.
I think I have gone on long enough, just wanted to say it's nice to know that others are in the same boat, and I wish you all the best. Peace and be well - franklen
www.bicyclecommutingnow.blogspot.com
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #8 on: Dec 9th, 2003, 12:33pm » |
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Ah, geez, , thanks, Franklen... I certainly now don't feel so alone in this! I'm certainly not getting outdoors & adventurous like I used to (pre-marriage); because, like you, we can't get to the gear! I haven't waterproofed or seamsealed my boots in years because of this. Bad me! I'm lucky they are still serving me well despite the rough treatment.
Your tip of using wall space to the ceiling is an excellent one for us, as we have high ceilings in most of our tiny rooms! I haven't taken advantage of this fact yet... Want to figure out just what our plan of action will be for tackling this lack of organization problem first. Sometimes I wish we just had a garage, attic, storage shed, or ! But I think the solution truly lies with a commitment to become more organized in the space we do have!
Hey! I have a tip for you if you happen to come back and visit your post above! If the two of you want to watch TV and work on computer in same room -- try using headphones for each! This is what we do, and not only is it less distracting, it also allows for one of us to be up working on the computer or watching TV without disturbing the one who sleeps.
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| « Last Edit: Dec 9th, 2003, 12:35pm by Wildside » |
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #9 on: Dec 13th, 2003, 11:39am » |
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Something I've been making a priority of late is to spend time each day (at least a few minutes) on a quick tidy of the whole house. A pick up of clutter and straightening, sweeping, dusting, putting everything in it's place, etc. It's really been helping with feeling more comfortable in my own home, but clean freaks would think me to lax, and it's really not getting to the nitty gritty that needs to happen and some rooms and tasks, I just avoid! (Things like filing, sorting stuff out, mopping floors, etc.)
When I first moved here with my dh, I made a point to spend one whole day from the wee hours to the wee hours again trying to make things perfect (they never were!). I made a point not to make any other plans that day or do anything else and clean, clean, clean, sort and organize! That really helped me feel better, but it is difficult to devote that much time, plus the results never lasted long at all... Neither one of us has the tidy gene, and my dh does not clean despite his stated willingness (His expertise is making the mess!). But I keep thinking I need to get back to that way of doing things, devoting a whole day, even if it does ever make me feel so much like just a housewife! Because even if our situation is never perfect (we're rennovating the whole house and yard afterall!), at least the situation is a lot better and more peaceful to live with! I can find things with ease, not embarrassed to have company, and the result makes me feel rich!
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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KendraB225
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 141
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Re: Tips
« Reply #10 on: Dec 13th, 2003, 7:13pm » |
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There's nothing like getting married to add clutter to one's home. Dh & I had many of the same items that neither of us wanted to get rid of. We both loved our alarm clocks, toaster, etc. I think it took us about 3 years to finally get rid of the extra stuff. Actually Dh still has some stuff that is in the basement he never uses.
We use our basement for storage of things we don't use much. I have found that Rubbermaid containers make excellent containers. I use junk mail envelopes as labels so that things are easy to find.
We also have storage shelves in the top of the closets. I also put plastic containers on the shelves to help us find things easier.
Kendra
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #11 on: Dec 13th, 2003, 8:06pm » |
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Thanks for sharing thoset tips, Kendra! I've been finding if I make more of a point to label boxes or put things into clear plastic bags so I can readily see what it is, it helps... Our basement is a crawlspace that sometimes gets pretty wet. I am storing re-useable "junk" down there now plus "debris" from home renovation projects but even so need to be careful of what it is because it often gets ruined and can't be re-used after all. Organization there (and everywhere else) needs to become more of a priority, but I can't seem to bite the bullet! We don't have any kind of system in place as yet other than piling stuff, and you probably know how that goes! I think your suggestions point out that perhaps investing in installing a few shelves/cabinets/storage type furniture throughout the house and storing things in labelled containers for easy access might help...
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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KendraB225
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 141
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Re: Tips
« Reply #12 on: Dec 14th, 2003, 5:18pm » |
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Don't take my suggestions to mean that I am always clean and neat. I just hate being unorganized. Dh is the exact opposite. he is constantly looking for his belt, keys , hat, shoes, etc. before he can leave the house. If I can't find something I need I get very upset. I just don't have time to look for stuff.
Kendra
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Wildside
Senior Member
One who plants a garden plants happiness and hope.
Posts: 466
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Re: Tips
« Reply #13 on: Dec 14th, 2003, 6:06pm » |
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But I appreciate your suggestions (as much as I appreciate you for admitting that  )!
Funny thing, as disorganized as I am these days, in the past one word my ex-boyfriend and some friends would use to describe me was "exceptionally organized!"
OK, I guess that's two words... But I've even been hired for jobs based upon my reputation for being such an organized, can-do person! Why am I not now? Why can't I apply organization to my personal life and my own biz? OK, now this sounds like whining! Stop! (I usually blame my dh, for he is the untidiest, most disorganized person I've ever met! In his personal life that is. He has a reputation for being very organized and meticulous in his professional life and I can see it in his skill and perfection with household projects.) My dh says he relies on me and my superb organizational skills to manage our lives together -- but I am feeling overwhelmed! No kids either, mind you! So I can see where you can say you don't have time to be disorganized, Kendra!)
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Cheers, from my backyard to yours! --Wildside
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jrb3
Newbie
We are the change we want to see in the world.
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Re: Tips
« Reply #14 on: Dec 16th, 2003, 8:00pm » |
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I find that Julie Morgenstin's book "Organized from the Inside Out" had plenty of useful tips. The overall attitude is great too.
Hard to say what was most helpful to me, an already reasonably well organized person, but the strategy she talks about is right up there. The mnemonic is "SPACE" -- sort, purge, assign a home, containerize, equalize.
First gather everything together, starting with the visible stuff -- leave the hidden stuff alone until you have a sense of what your new / adjusted organization will look like. Sort it into piles or boxes -- things that are alike *as you perceive them* go together.
Now purge duplicates, broken things, and anything which does not support yourr life. Some folks I know use the criteria of beauty and usefulness. Get the purged stuff out of the way -- pitch the trash, donate or sell the rest (or at least box it up out of the way).
Assign a home for everything that's left. For instance, at this stage in organizing my new apartment, I settled on where paper would flow and be stored.
Containerize -- NOW we figure out what to store things in! For the paper flows, I used the desk my Mom used for household papers when I was growing up, plus a small file cabinet and inbox, and a wastebasket, all within arm's reach of the desk chair, about 20 feet from the mailbox and entry door.
Equalize the system by spending a little time each day to keep things in their places, and to adjust to changing circumstances. 5-15 minutes at the end of the day works well for me and the household paper-flow -- most of that time is actually processing mail and planning for the next day.
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----
Joseph Beckenbach
Falun Dafa: truthfulness, compassion, tolerance
"Your Money or Your Life" workshop presenter
father, permaculture fancier, urban homesteader wannabe
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