I seem to find myself on a continual quest for organization. I am always tweaking my systems and trying to make them better. Always going through things and trying to cull the clutter. Always looking at possessions with a keen eye for how they might be used or whether or not they should be gotten rid of. It seems like a well-ordered home can never be allowed to rest on its laurels. This is largely due to the fact that there always seems to be a continual stream of new items coming through the door that must be managed. Eventually, if older items don’t make way for newer items the place becomes overrun.

I am a particular fan of the sturdy high-quality discount moving boxes that can be purchased. These boxes are not the flimsy ones you can pick up from the grocery or liquor store. These boxes often have lids and are designed for safe and long term storage. If you have items that need longer term storage (like in a basement or attic) I would recommend using boxes like this.

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

A project that I have been contemplating for some time is taking care of the very large collection of VHS video tapes that our family has accumulated over the years. My children still watch many of these movies so we cannot just get rid of them. I really would love to convert them, though. The thought of converting our entire inventory of VHS movies over to DVDs is quite overwhelming and every time I seriously consider it, I end up dismissing it in the end as something that just doesn’t make sense to do.

Still…there is that nagging desire to clean up all of those old VHS tapes, though.

As I was contemplating this situation yet again this morning, I happened upon an interesting sale. I didn’t even know this existed, but I found a program that converts VHS to DVD! It’s called Roxio Easy VHS to DVD. Who knew?

While I was still marveling about this neat program, I had a look around at the other weekly specials being offered this week at Buy.com and I can’t imagine how I’ve been missing out on these specials and these savings all this time! They have three pages of items that are on special this week and next week I’m sure there will be more interesting products and great prices.

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

The space race is officially on!

Many homeowners are recommitting to their current house with the current economic and housing situation. Because of this finding new ways to find more space for making the most of what we have is on many people’s minds and to do lists. Here are some suggestions for adding more square footage to your home without adding a room:

• There’s often lots of space higher in closets and pantries for another row of shelves. What’s more, often we don’t fill the shelves that are already there.

• Try to get items off the floor. Emptying up floor space will make rooms seem larger.

• If you have a bonus room put every inch to use. Try splitting them up into smaller spaces. Buy a wrap-around desk and fill it with office supplies to become your kids’ homework corner. Use low shelves to create a nook for toys or a nook for all the gaming accessories.

• Use the guest room as an office, exercise room or living area by adding a Murphy bed. Some furniture companies sell cabinets with fold-away “drop tables” for projects that you don’t need out every minute.

• Provide kids with easy-to-use storage space. Don’t store toys in giant toy bins. Instead give them low bookshelves with small containers for different types of toys. Don’t stack books on a bookshelf for smakk children. Place a stack of books in a large square basket where they can be flipped through.

• Think about your furniture choices. Skirted tables are good for stashing things and go well in almost any room of the house. A bench with a hinged lid is great for storing linens, towels or clothes. Use long, flat storage boxes to keep items under beds. Leather storage ottomans are great as seating or storage.

• Fill small spaces with cabinets.

• Install a hanging bar in the attic and hang tablecloths and other linens in the attic.

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

What would you say if I told you that there is an item that can help you work miracles in every room of your home?  What’s more, it can even help you appear to be an outstanding housekeeper (even if you’re not).   This item comes in lots of different shapes, sizes, colors and materials and you can buy one or many in local retail stores, craft stores, discount retailers, flea markets, and craft shows.  You can even make these yourself if you are so inclined! Curious now?  I’m talking about baskets!  Not only will baskets give you the space you need to control clutter, but they do it beautifully and uniquely.

Kitchen:

• Try a series of a hanging wall pocket baskets (flat backs to lie flat against the wall) in the kitchen to store dry sponges, cleaning items, scrubbers, pot holders, hand towels, and clean dish rags.
• Give yourself more drawer space by putting silverware into a basket caddy on the counter.
• A lazy susan with a basket can be a great way to store condiments on the counter or table for easy access.
• Cloth napkins kept in a covered basket will be used frequently and this is a great way to get away from using so many paper products.

Family Room/Living Room:

• A great idea is a a round or cylindrical shaped wicker basket on the coffee table to hold assorted electronic remotes.
• Medium sized baskets make great storage for magazines and books that are on your reading list.
• An oversized basket is a good place for pillows and quilts to keep nearby for cozy snuggling
• Family games that are used often can be kept neatly in baskets.

Bedroom:

• A wicker hamper with a lid in the closet is a great option for storing extra pillows and keeping them dust-free. Consider lining the hamper with a sheet or large gallon trash bag to keep free of dust.
• Keep a basket near your bed with your current reading material tucked neatly away inside.

Bathroom:

• Guest towels can be neatly and attractively stored for easy access.
• Pretty soaps and other toiletries look nice in a pretty basket.
• A large covered basket makes a great looking laundry hamper.

Office/Desk:

• Keep correspondence supplies all together in a nice basket that can be taken with you wherever you are writing.
• Keep your printer ink tucked away in a basket for easy access and management.
• Keep a low, flat basket on your desk to catch the items that need to be managed each day and go through it every evening before bed.

Kids Clutter:

• School supplies, math manipluatives, stickers, art supplies, crayons, markers…these items all work great in baskets!
• Puzzles and games with small pieces can be managed neatly in baskets.
• Sort toys into similar groups and store them in large baskets.
• Off season clothing can be stored away in baskets also.

Baskets are great for saving space and storing your items attractively.  I don’t know of any other storage option that is so practical and useful or beautiful.  A fun idea is to add creative decor to existing baskets to make them even more attractive and personal.  You can add buttons, ribbon, flowers, or even miniature figures to create exactly the look you desire.

There are so many neat places to find neat baskets!  You can find them in online stores that solely specialize in baskets, from flea markets, from yard sales, from home decor stores, from home decor online retailers, even from friends who are discarding empty gift baskets!

Baskets are a great way to not only save space but organize your space as well and they allow you to do it in exactly the way that suits your taste and decor.

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

Ever feel like you work and work and work and still there’s always more? What’s worse, often times you have a “wrecking crew” who seems to have the job of undoing all of the progress you make minutes after you make it!

It can be frustrating, to say the least. Sometimes I feel so pressed for time…yet I really need to feel like I got something accomplished. Something I can point to and say “I did that today!” Even on your busiest days, it is possible to declutter something…it is possible to restore order to an area that is in need of help.

Here are ten things you can do in ten minutes or less:

1. Sort through the magazines. Throw out the ones you’re done with and place the ones you still need to read in a pile that you will get to soon.
2. Reorganize your sock drawer. Throw away socks that have holes, stains, or do not have mates.
3. Start a load of laundry. Get the laundry assembly-line in gear and get a load in.
4. Clean out the cupboard under your kitchen sink. This really should take that long. Empty it (cleaning products should be stored elsewhere, anyway!) sweep it out, and replace the trashcans.
5. Clear off the coffee table. Put the junk mail in the recycle bin and straighten the odds and ends. Dust too if you have time!
6. Sweep the kitchen floor. Depending on whether you have a dog or not, this might not be a big job at all!
7. Straighten out the trunk of your car. I really prefer to place all of my groceries in the trunk instead of on car seats so I like to keep a pretty empty trunk.
8. Pull all of the extra hangers out of your closets. Extra wire hangers can be recycled at drycleaners. I keep all of my extra plastic or wooden hangers in one place for easy access.
9. Go through and pull out old food from the refrigerator. Hopefully this isn’t a huge job! Use up those leftovers for lunches…this is a huge money saver!
10. Clean a bathroom counter or a few mirrors or a toilet. Refreshing the bathrooms a few times a week really doesn’t take long at all!

Any other ideas for quick jobs that can be done in 10 minutes? I’m all ears!

Technorati Tags: clutter, Restore order, ten things you can do in ten minutes

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.