INVENTIVE ORGANIZING
Let's face it. When it comes to organizing, there's no "one size fits all" solution. Have you ever thought that you would love to pay someone to come help you organize, but you knew that only you could ultimately decide where you wanted everything? Well, you're right for the most part. Professional organizers can help you to come up with solutions, but they are heavily based on your needs, your stuff, your house, your budget, and your habits.
When you get ready to clear clutter and keep it at bay for good, try to think like an organizer. If you don't have a lot of money to put into it, don't worry. Most people have the organization solutions that they need, right inside of their homes. They just don't realize it yet. The key is to get inventive.
If you're not a "creative" or "inventive" person by nature, you may need more direction. Basically, there is a formula you can use for success. Ask yourself several questions as you decide on what to do so that you'll know that what you decided on will not only get your things organized, but that your ideas will help you to stay organized, probably for years to come.
How to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing and Figure Out How to Stay Organized.
When you look at a pile of clutter, it is overwhelming. If you don't know where to start, start here! Start categorizing the clutter and divide it into piles. Conquer the junk by tossing it in a box that you will donate to charity, or toss it in the trash. This is the "Divide and Conquer" stage. Divide the stuff, conquer the junk.
Next, you'll need to evaluate your categories. Some categories may be way too large and leave you with a giant pile of stuff to deal with. For example, if your category is "Clothes", you may want to modify it and break it down into smaller categories, like "Sweaters", "Jeans", "Formal", "Workout", etc. Your goal is to get the piles down to the size that you want them to be when they're in a container, basket, drawer, shelf, or cabinet.
Once your piles are made, you can focus on the best containers and/or locations for your stuff. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you keep and store things very near to where you will use them. Otherwise, they'll end up back in that convenient place that you tossed them to begin with. Another good rule is to make everything accessible with one hand. If you're cleaning, carrying laundry, or just plain lazy, you're not going to take the time to open 15 containers to put each thing where it belongs. You'll end up creating a miscellaneous pile that you'll have to go through again later.
Follow these rules and you'll consider yourself creative and inventive in no time. You'll be able to come up with great ideas for organizing by knowing where to start and what aspects of the organizational tool are important. What ideas have you come up with?
About the Author:Jo Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and even Boutique Hangers. Only Hangers is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood clothes hangers. To buy high quality wholesale hangers, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.