Organize + Energize: Creating Systems in the Home
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
The key to creating and maintaining organization whether it’s at home or work is having systems in place. I talk about systems often because the systems you create will be the foundation of the organization in your home. Without systems, there will be disorganized chaos.
Here are 10 tips to get started:
Create a purpose for each room. From the spare bedroom, to the basement, every room in your home should have a purpose. Even if the spare bedroom is used only when guests come over, it shouldn’t be a drop spot for random items when it’s not in use.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTKeep like items together in one spot. Don’t have items scattered all over your home. When you go to search for something, you will find it in no time. No time will be wasted trying to remember where things are located. You’ll also save money because you won’t have to purchase duplicate items because you forgot where you placed an item.
Filing systems for paper. Have a system to process paper and mail. Handle it right away. It is easier to spend five minutes with it initially than to spend hours on it months later. Having filing systems in place will allow you to have a home for your paper so it doesn’t end up thrown all over the home.
Utilize drawer organizers. Using drawer organizers will maximize your space and create more room for other items. Use drawer organizers in every drawer in your home or office. You’ll find items quickly without any time being wasted. Don’t forget to measure the height, width, and length of your space before you purchase these items.
Get rid of clutter. When there is clutter, items get lost, you forget what you have and you end up buying duplicate items and wasting time and money. Having systems in place will eliminate the headache of trying to find items in the clutter.
Go through your clothes closets every season. Make a plan twice a year to take everything out of your closets and take inventory. Every item in your closet should have a home.
Prepare for the week ahead. Every Sunday have a system to prepare your meals for the week. Get your outfits ironed and ready for the week. Prepare anything you can ahead of time to save you time during the week.
Keep a daily to-do list. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you check items off the list.
If you have children, get them organized. The house will run smooth when everybody’s organized. It’s never too early to teach your children about getting organized. Let them participate in the process and set up the systems with you in their bedroom and/or toy rooms.
Less is more. Keep it simple. Enough said. The more complicated the system you create, the more likely it is to fail. Keep your systems simple.
Start by organizing one room at a time. If you tend to get overwhelmed easy, start with a plan to declutter and organize a drawer and ease into the organization process.
Remember, when creating systems, the systems have to work for you, not your neighbors, relatives or friends. You and your family have to function with this system. Evaluate your systems on a regular basis. If the system isn’t working, tweak it to make it work better for everybody.
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. She has also given over 70 presentations throughout the state. Watch Kristin LIVE every Thursday at 3pm here on GoLocal LIVE with Molly O’Brien.
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