Adapted from: Make Room For What You Love. Copyright © 2016 by Melissa Michaels. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. www.harvesthousepublishers.com. Used by Permission.
Retreating to your home should feel like a reward at the end of a long day. It’s a sacred space and clutter is an unwelcome housemate. Not only does clutter take up space in your home, it also weighs down your spirit. Start feeling lighter and more joyful by using these tips to keep your home organized and functional today.
1) Refine Your Closet Hanging Space
Take everything hanging in your closet out and lay it across the bed. Item by item, pick up from the bed what you would wear this week or in the next few weeks. Focus on items that fit well and are in good condition. If you have many similar pieces, get rid of the ones you can spare. Put your clothes back in your closet, from longest to shortest, category by category, left to right. If you have hanging accessories, such as belts, hang them on a belt hanger or looped through a regular hanger on the left side of the closet if there’s room. Set aside your scarves and other accessories to tackle in another project. Whatever is left can be donated!
2) Tidy Your Closet Shelves, Floor, and Shoe Area
Dust the shelves and vacuum or sweep the floors. Make the shelves functional (decide how many items you can stack without a hassle to get them out) and fold the items carefully so they look tidy. Group bags, shoes, sweaters, and T-shirts together. Shoes can be tucked into back-of-the-door or wall shoe pockets, an extra drawer, or an under-the-bed organizer for easy access if you don’t have room in your closet. Make a list of future organizers or supplies you need to make the most of the space you have.
3) Declutter Your Dressers
Empty your clothing and belongings from dresser drawers. Wipe out drawers and even add new drawer liners if you want to. Assign each drawer a purpose, with space for each category of belongings (such as socks, undies, slips, tights, pjs.). Now put back what you really use, what is in good condition, fits, and you actually like to wear. Match up socks. If you have lone socks, start a lonely sock basket, and if the mate turns up you’ll be able to return them to the dresser. If the drawers become too crowded, pare down or relocate items if you have another option. Donate or dispose of what’s left.
READ MORE: HOW TO DECLUTTER AND LET GO OF FAMILY TREASURES
4) Organize your living areas
Use lidded boxes and small trunks to store phone cords, notepads, and any other random things you need in your bedroom. Use storage boxes on your desk for your labeling machine, stapler, and hole punch; and another on a bookshelf near the dining room for extra drinking glasses. Give your family a small trunk to stash all those game controllers and cords so your TV area stays neat and tidy. Use larger, tall, open baskets to store extra throw blankets or even to toss in extra bedding or throw pillows when you are sitting or sleeping.
5) Clean up your kitchen
Don’t let your pantry look cluttered and feel disorganized. Small open baskets are perfect for grouping pantry items to give you a streamlined and clutter-free pantry or cabinet while making it easier to find what you want at a glance! I have a baking basket in my pantry. When the urge to bake strikes, I can easily grab it and find all the little baking items I need, such as baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, almond extract, salt, and measuring spoons. Utilize the vertical space under the sink by adding stackable drawers, shelf risers, or adjustable units specifically made to fit around sink pipes. Fill the drawers or shelves with cleaning supplies under the kitchen or laundry sink, and cosmetics and toiletries under the bathroom sink.
6) CELEBRATE!
Curl up with a good book and a cup of tea and delight in how wonderful it feels to have such a pretty and organized home. Sleep tight!
