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Written by the Professional Organizers in Canada
Re-order your closets
This season, instead of buying yet another pair of mittens or boots, take a moment to restore order first. It could save you money and simplify your space. "I see it all the time when I help clients organize," says Kristie Demke, President of Professional Organizers in Canada. "People often have all the winter clothing they need, but just can't find it when they need it. It's often easier to re-purchase than search when people don't remember what they have or where it's located. Being properly organized will save you time, frustration and money!"
Here are a few tips on how to keep your winter wear easily accessible from year-to-year:
- In the spring, pull the winter wear out of the closet or mudroom and go through it, even if it means cajoling family members into trying things on for size. Ensure the items are clean, and in good repair. Toss the leaking boots and the orphan mittens, and donate the ski pants your child has outgrown or the jacket that wasn't worn last winter.
- When you know which items are keepers, sort them by type such as jackets and footwear, or by person, and put each category in its own bin or storage case. Then stash them where you won't trip over them but can find them easily on the morning of the first snowfall!
That's how to keep your winter wear organized, but of course the same process applies with spring and summer items right now!
Take back the guest room
In addition to cluttered closets, another common theme is the spare room turned into a storage unit - a place filled with boxes of old toys, clothes or sports trophies. This room can be costly as you're constantly adding items without knowing what's there.
Below are a few tips on how to tackle the messy room and return it to guest room status:
- Decide on the purpose of the room to determine what belongs. Many households don't have the luxury of a dedicated guest room; instead, needing it to share quarters with the office, craft room or music room. This is fine, but whatever the room's mission is, be sure only related items are stored there. Everything else must go!
- Once you know the room's main focus, set it up accordingly. The workstation where you pay your bills becomes a place for guest's to check email. The comfy couch where you practice guitar can also be a pull-out sofa for an overnight guest. Half the armoire stores craft supplies and the other half holds extra pillows and blankets. Think multi-function as much as possible.
Make room for your car
"As winter approaches, garage organization is important," says Demke. "The majority of homes we deal with no longer have room for their car in the garage because it's turned into a storage locker of miscellaneous items."
Tips on how to keep your garage clean and clear during the winter and throughout the year:
- The reason most garages become cluttered is that they are big empty spaces without shelves, cubbies or hooks. Imagine how useless your kitchen would be without cabinets and countertops - the structure that makes it work. Look at your garage in the same way. Build or install shelves, make use of an old dresser, store items in the rafters and put up hooks, hooks and more hooks.
- Group similar items together such as sports equipment, tools or automotive supplies. For winter, stash the lawnmower under the steps and put the snow blower in the prime place near the door for easy access. Put away the baseball equipment and let the hockey gear take its place. Treat your garage like another room in your house and you will always have a nice, cozy place to keep your car - and no more scraping windows!
A change of seasons doesn't have to translate into more money and more stress. Organize your home this winter and invest your time and money re-inventing the space you already have.
Professional Organizers in Canada is a national registered non-profit association that provides education, business development tools and a code of ethics for all types of organizers across Canada. For more information, visit www.organizersincanada.com
