Spring has finally arrived, and it's time to rid our homes of winter's dust and clutter! Did you know that spring organizing will save you time and money? While it may not be your favorite pastime, I guarantee you will love the look and feel of the newly cleaned and organized spaces! But that isn't the only benefit. You will also save time and eliminate stress by finding everything you need when you need it. Plus, you'll save money by not purchasing duplicate things you already own.
Here are 5 tips to make your spring organizing projects a breeze.
1. Make a plan of attack
Begin by creating a list of all the areas in need of decluttering. These areas most commonly include closets, mudrooms, garages, and other storage areas, such as pantries, medicine cabinets, and the fridge and freezer. Next, schedule time to work on each of these spaces, which may take just a few hours each weekend. Involve the entire family; children who routinely help with the decluttering and organizing process are more likely to continue these habits as adults. Break larger projects into smaller sessions to keep from getting overwhelmed.
2. Prepare
Get ready by gathering your supplies before you begin each project. Gather garbage bags, boxes, or paper bags for trash, recycling, and donations. Different colored bags (black, blue, and white) will make it easier to differentiate the trash and recycling from one another, and from the donations. Designate and clear an area for sorting and purging to prevent tripping on a cluttered floor.
3. Purge
You can approach the decluttering process in different ways. If you have enough room to spread out, you can empty the entire contents of a space (such as a drawer or cabinet) onto a clean surface. If you are working in tight quarters or have a large space to declutter, you can remove one item at a time. Taking everything out and heaping it into a pile can trigger a feeling of overwhelm. So, choose whatever works best for your situation and do what feels right. Discard any broken items and donate everything you no longer need, use, or love.
4. Create storage
Once you've sorted everything, it's time to store the "keepers" into bins, baskets, or other containers. Use smaller bins and dividers to keep similar items contained when organizing drawers. Think about the best storage for each item. Does the container need to be accessible, or will it need a lid to keep items free of dust? Don't forget to measure your space before purchasing any storage solutions!
5. Label
Don't forget the labels! Labeling will help keep your spaces organized. Styles range from straightforward printed labels to colorful chalk or ink labels. With specific areas or zones labeled, you and your family will be able to quickly find what you are looking for and return everything to its proper home. Many of my clients enjoy the polished, or sometimes whimsical, look that labels can provide. So, be creative and have fun!
Once you’ve created these systems, you'll see that you can accomplish future organizing projects in much less time. Periodic maintenance will ease your life even more. Take a few minutes to straighten each space as soon as you notice it has become messy or disorganized. Keep a donation box nearby and add items throughout the season. A little work now will save you a lot of work in the years to come.
Here are a few more tips on how to make your spring organizing projects a bit more fun. If you live in the Rochester, New York area and would like some professional assistance I would be happy to help. You can reach me at (585)-201-6009 or Yve@OrganizingbyYve.com