Clutter has such a way of getting out of control and away from us at times. We've come up with some great practical clutter busting ideas to help you get started.
Keys: Avoid losing or misplacing your keys by allocating a certain place for them. As soon as you walk through the door - place them on the designated hook or in a designated bowl. You will never have the frustration of not being able to find them when you need them again.
Desk Drawers: It is easy to stash items in desk drawers so you do not have to deal with them --- out of sight, out of mind! Try to keep your drawers as organised as possible by storing only what you need in them.
Umbrellas: Umbrellas can make a mess when it's been raining and you're eager to get inside where it is nice and dry. Store umbrellas standing up in a stand to avoid mess - this also allows the umbrella to dry more effectively.
Bed Storage: Most beds have the provision for underneath storage which can save you valuable space and clutter. You can store pillows, sheets, doona's toys in containers underneath while using a bed shirt to conceal the storage. This is a fantastic idea if you are running low on storage space.
Cooking Station:Putting implements and ingredients that you use on a regular basis when cooking can make your life a lot easier in the kitchen. There are plenty of items that you can use for this such as a Lazy Susan, spice racks and many other products that you can easily find in any Ikea store. Just be sure to leave enough surface space for meal preparation.
Pots And Pans: Pot and pan clutter can be a never ending battle in some kitchens. A great idea is to store one pot inside a larger one which can save on the amount of space that they can take up in cupboards. There are many great pot and pan storage utilities available now which helps keep your cookware accessable AND organised at the same time.
Kitchen Tables: Tables can be a huge place for clutter - where everyone dumps everything that they can't be bothered putting away. Dining tables are for eating at, not dumping paperwork or doing homework. Create a central area in the middle of the table where you can store items that are used on a regular basis - such as napkins, salt and pepper.
Shower Storage: Items such as body wash, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths should be stored in a shower caddy or shelving installed in the shower to avoid clutter on the bottom of the shower or around the bathtub. There are so many shower storage systems available which are effective and reasonably priced - you have no excuse left!
Laundry: If you have a large family or if you need to pre-sort, having more than one laundry hamper is a great idea. This ensures that clothes are never thrown on the floor and that washing is easier to sort. Use a cupboard or shelving to keep your laundry items such as fabric softener,detergent and bleach all together and out of reach of little hands and paws. If your laundry is large enough, it is a fantastic idea to also designate a folding station which will help reduce clothes becoming clutter in the bedroom or lounge.
Car: Keep your car organised by only keeping what you may need while travelling. Sunglasses, cd's, maps, manuals, registrationd documents, etc. If you don't have enough storage in the glovebox, use a visor organiser. Remember, it is always a good idea to keep emergency supplies like jumper leads, a spare blanket and first aid kit in the boot. I always keep a travel umbrella and spare pair of shoes in car as well - I can't tell you how many times I have needed this.
Now it's your turn --- Brash and Sassy would love to hear some of your clutter busting ideas.
Are you feeling frustrated, stressed and anxious due to clutter and disorganisation taking over you life? Well, there is no time like the present to get yourself and your surroundings ORGANISED!
Organised means being able to find items quickly, it's not just about being neat and tidy. Spaces that are organised are much easier to use. If you are not inclined to be naturally organised - beginning with one small step at a time is best. Start with one small area and build on that as you help create your new organising habits. You can always call in a Professional Organiser who are trained to help if you find it too difficult.
It's a good idea to de-clutter and clean out your belongings before even considering getting yourself organised with new systems, storage and furniture. If you do it back to front, not only will you waste valuable time - but money too. It is also a good idea to "de-clutter" on a regular basis.
Some good questions to ask yourself when going through the de-cluttering process are:
- Do I really need this?
- Have I used it in the last twelve months?
- Could someone else use this item more than I?
Don't Put It Down - Put It Away:
Once you have de-cluttered and set yourself up - you need to get yourself into the habit of putting things away - not just putting it down wherever you feel like. For instance, when you come through the door - don't just put your keys down - put them in a designated place each time. You will thank yourself when you are in a rush and can find your keys without tearing the place upside down. This goes for pretty much everything - your mobile phone, bills, etc.
Use A Calendar/Planner:
Introduce the use of a calender into your daily routine where you can refer to it every day. Your calendar can remind you of things that you need to do when you need to do it --- no more late fees on those library books, your bills can be paid on time, etc.. You can even go high tech here and sync your computerised diary/planner with a smart phone - that way you will have your planner with you no matter where you are.
Save Time By Combining Similar Activities:
Do all of your errands at the same time, do all of your shopping in one trip instead of two or three, pay your bills at the same time --- this will not only save you time, but also some of your hard earned cash.
Don't Rely On Your Memory - Write It Down
Keep a notebook in your handbag - any appointments, ideas, notes that you need to remember can be written down so you don't forget. Smart phones also have many functions and "apps" that can help you record notes, numbers, etc when you're on the run --- embrace technology.
Make Lists:
Make a "To Do" list for your day ahead. Mark tasks off as you complete them - this will not only help you stay focused, but will also help you prioritise. Don't forget to be flexible - interuptions and unexpected things WILL happen.
Follow Through:
Be disciplined and stick to your to-do lists and complete the tasks you've set out for yourself. Eliminate distractions and try not to procrastinate. Set yourself goals and allocate an amount of time to complete them. Keep to your agenda.
Post It Notes:
Post It's are a fantastic tool for "reminders". Put them on mirrors, computer monitors, doors, etc to stop yourself forgetting something important.
Tip: Always ensure that you have what you need for the day ahead with you.
Tip: Keep all of your surfaces clear and free of clutter - this helps reduce mental clutter and will help you feel instantly calmer --- this doesn't mean that you can just shove clutter in draws (out of sight out of mind) --- refer to my previous point of "Don't put it down - Put it away".
I know that my bag has at times been so full of clutter that I have been too scared to put my hand in there just in case I was bitten by something poisonous! We have all been guilty of it at one time or another.
Save yourself the embarrassment and frustration of having to tip the contents of your handbag out in public just so you can find your keys or your lipstick and declutter your hand bag today!
Step One: Empty the contents of your handbag onto the counter and clean the inside of your bag with a damp cloth. Now is the perfect time to fix any tears in the lining and get rid of all the rubbish that you have accumulated in it.
Step Two: Organise your bag. Now would also be a good time to purchase a bag organiser - you can get these from any storage store or even ebay. They are a great investment and they will help you spend less time trying to find your lipstick. Alternatively, you could use little containers or ziplock bags to categorise your essentials. Assign spaces for everything that you need such as keys, makeup, phone, and other items. This will make it much easier for your to maintain an organised bag.
Step Three: Is it really necessary? Do you carry items that you could perhaps store at the office such as make up, lipstick, spare pair of shoes? Storing these items at the office will make more room in your handbag and make it lighter for you to carry.
Step Four: Clean your bag out on a regular basis - or better still - don't store junk or rubbish in it at all! Take your receipts out and file them on a daily/weekly basis. Make sure that you only keep what is absolutely necessary in your bag and it will save you time and stress in the long run.
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