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Redo You: Home with Peter Walsh
Today, the "King of Organization," Peter Walsh joins us to share tips on how to clean up the clutter around the house. Get information on Peter's new app, "Get Organized with Peter Walsh" here:
How to organize SMALL spaces that will make a BIG difference in our homes and lives.
Peter Walsh, Organization Expert
Clutter comes in many forms and the reasons why people hold onto it is similarly complex. There are two main types of clutter: "Memory Clutter" - which reminds one of an important person, or achievement or event from the past - and "I-Might-Need-It-One-Day Clutter" - this is the stuff held onto in preparation for all possible futures that one might encounter. With many of the people I encounter, their primary relationship is with their stuff. Instead of owning their stuff, their stuff owns them. This clearly is not only unhealthy but also a real stumbling block to happiness and a fulfilling life. If your stuff is causing problems in your life or relationships it's time to do something about it! To further complicate matters the spaces themselves make it difficult for people to organize their stuff.
Never fear there are solutions! Here are simple tips to organize and declutter five small spaces in your home that will make a big difference.
Electronics/Media Area - Transfer media to digital formats.
We are now 12 years into the new millennium. There are a number of tips to lighten up your media area and bring you up to the 21st century. Go DIGITAL! First, no one should have VHS and cassette tapes. It is time to bite the bullet and recycle those items. Transfer VHS tapes to DVD. Purchase all music in mp3 form. Place DVDs in albums rather than leaving them in those bulky jewel cases. Place remote controls in baskets. Get rid of all those old cords and controllers that you don't know what to do with anymore and e-cycle old cell phones and computers. As far as photo albums go, if you have not uploaded photos on-line (digital) you should seriously consider ONLY uploading and displaying the best photos.
Linen closet - Store linens in pillow cases.
Everyone struggles with putting bed linens away in an organized manner. I have a simple tip that takes care of that problem. When you put your linens of one fit away put the pieces of that bed linen set in the pillow case. That way when you go to grab a pillow case it contains all of the pieces of the certain bed size you need eliminating any frustration.
Refrigerator - Keep condiments in clear plastic containers.
This is a space that can easily get cluttered with items we don't use anymore or items that we can't find because they are not well organized or sorted. The use of clear, plastic containers to store specific items eliminates this problem. I put condiments together by their use or type together in one clear plastic bin. It is simple to lift it out of the refrigerator when I need it. It keeps like things together. I can easily keep them clean and it keeps shelves clear. This creates order and allows kids to be successful putting things back, learning important organizational skills.
Desk drawers and desk top- Designate areas for desk items.
We also commonly call this space the "junk drawer." I recommend using simple drawer dividers, containers or baskets to create discrete areas. Each area or sub section can be designated for particular items: paperclips, rubber bands, binder clips.
Set up your desk top like the dashboard of a car. Everything that you use frequently should be within reach from your desk chair. Sort like items such as pens, pencils, and markers and put them in separate containers.
Car trunk - Organize trunk with totes and crates.
I call the trunk the black hole. It's one big, dark open space with no devices to create smaller, designated areas. People just close their eyes and throw their stuff in it. I suggest that you take that big large space and create smaller areas by having totes or containers the size of milk crates placed in the trunk. This will keep like items together and keep them organized. Label each tote or container with the name of each person in your family. Now, your child knows where to put their backpacks or their sport equipment. Have a tote also labeled for groceries. Julie, this avoids that terrible "clanging" sound of grocery items falling out and rolling around the trunk of the car.
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