Getting Sorted Out

This was your year to get organized, right? To create a system to manage ALL the paper, to go through your belongings and get rid of the excess, to make your space beautiful and light and clean…
 
Are you always organizing yet never organized?
 
It’s tough to relax in a place that feels out of sorts or as though it could always use a good straightening up. Tougher yet when you know that you could do better and live better, that you have it in you to finally get your home squared away and eliminate some of the headaches that occur over and over due to a lack of storage or a system that makes sense. As we are on the cusp of Spring Break, you are timely in thinking about how to improve, upgrade, or start from scratch to organize yourself and your family before the next “break” – summer! I’ve heard that summer bodies are made in the winter, and the same can be said for organizing your home. If you can get a grip on clutter and chaos now, you will be in good shape come June when the madness really takes over. Swimsuits and towels, sunscreen, crocs, hats, fold up chairs, bikes and helmets, sand toys, sunglasses, bug spray, water bottles, snack bags – these little devils are on the way. It doesn’t have to drive you crazy though, you can get started now to create a calming and enjoyable home to make your summer absolutely lounge-worthy!
 
There are many styles and theories on how to organize, but I believe that only you know what will work best for your home and routine. It doesn’t make sense to purchase an off-the-shelf system that includes a tilt-out hamper for instance, if collecting laundry isn’t a challenge for you. Some people like to have transparent bins while others prefer to cover them with fabric. Drawers, cupboards, rails, slide out bins, and chests are some of the (many) options available for closets and mudrooms but again, the space should be designed around a purpose and not just what looks good. Case in point, I was inspired by this post from Instagram:

​It wasn’t long after I began taking measurements in my mudroom before I realized that having everyone’s shoes crammed into those bins below would be a total nightmare. Two shoes x multiple styles x 5 people (3 of whom are very spoiled children!) makes for a lot of footwear, and we needed a better way to find the ones we needed while trying to get out the door. While the image is still appealing, I’ve organized the shoes elsewhere using a system that provides one bin per person (well, someone has two bins…hint – it’s not me!) and also allows for an at-a-glance inventory to determine who needs new shoes.
 
Other areas that can be challenging but incredibly rewarding to organize include the pantry, master bedroom closet, and wherever your sporting equipment is stored.  

​Currently, I’m working on a proposal for a Sienna family settling into their new home. They were clever enough to realize that it made sense to create some built-ins now, amid the challenges of moving into a new space, so that they can get organized from the get-go. If you could benefit from a consultation in your home to figure out how to better utilize existing space, add some cabinetry,  and finally GET ORGANIZED, please reach out to schedule an appointment.