Organizing Tips

Keeping your home organized can be one of the hardest things one can do, but there are ways you can help yourself stay organized. Did you know that clutter is bad for your health? It harbors, germs, bugs, disease, and allergen spores. Here are some helpful tips to get you started and keep you on track.

First, you want to declutter. Start with just one room at a time. Looking at the entire picture can prove overwhelming for some. Go through paper and miscellaneous items and throw out what you don't need or no longer use. Many items we set aside for later use but then are forgotten. A good rule of thumb is if you haven't used, needed, or worn it for twelve months, then get rid of it. If you are a conservative person you may choose to donate your goods to a local church or charity. A good place to advertise free or cheap goods online is on Craigslist or Kijiji.com. Remember: one persons trash is another's treasure.

Are you the person who hangs onto your clothes until you can fit into them again? Me too! Well, we all know that we either will never fit back into our teeny boppers, or if we are lucky enough to, they most likely are no longer in style. Phew! Find those beloved shoes or jeans a new home! There are secondhand consignment shops in most areas. You can find them online, or in your phonebook. Good way to scrape up some spare change in the process. Speaking of that, get with your friends and neighbors and drum up a big yard sale. Cha-ching! Check with your local city ordinance on garage sales in your area.

The things you cannot bear to part with need a home within your home. You can purchase office goods at most retail stores, to keep papers, bills, receipts in neat orderly fashion. Utensil trays work well in junk drawers. Shelving (floor or wall mounted) is good for other odd and ordinary items. Bins are great for keeping and seperating childrens toys and they are also not too expensive. Try to maintain safe age appropriate toys in your home, and donate the ones that are outgrown.

Once you have decluttered, the next step is to clean the room. Vacuum, scrub, clean windows. This is the time to give a room a good face lift. Try a different wall color for a change. Choose bright cheery colors. A new window treatment will also offset the room.

Now you are ready to put your room back together. Rearrange the furniture, and remember to keep accents to a minimum. Some folks call these dust collectors. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. Give your room a homey, cozy feeling with a few family photos or a plant or two.

Once you have gone through and done each room, you are ready to sit back and enjoy your home! Now, you just have to remember to keep it that way! Weekly cleaning and a monthly overhaul works best for some. Unless you have maid service you will need to fit your organizing into your daily routine and in time it will become habit for you. Good luck and stay organized. Remember, when your home is bright and cheery, you are too!