With 2020 off to such a bumpy start, many of us have quite a bit of free time on our hands lately. We can, however, choose to turn a negative into a positive and use this time constructively. What better time than now to tackle those do-it-yourself projects we have been putting off? Doing so will help keep us busy while at the same time relieving stress. I would like to share 3 rules of organizing that will leave your home looking like you hired a professional. They are visibility, accessibility, and flexibility. Following these confirm you aren’t simply moving things around. Every task you focus on should have the intent of making your life simpler and your home more efficient.
This rule of organizing is simply focusing on areas of your home where making things more visible will increase productivity. First, start by taking an inventory of the items in an area such as your kitchen or your home office. Next, picture which items your family would benefit from being more visible. For example, clear storage containers make finding items in your pantry, fridge, or on your desk a lot easier. You could even convert a silverware organizer into a designated space for pencils, pens, and anything else hiding in your junk drawer!
The next rule of organizing calls for a two-pronged approach. On one hand, we want things that we use frequently to be easy to reach. One way of doing this is to utilize the vertical space in your home. For those who are avid cooks, the hanging of pots, pans, and other frequently used utensils saves time while cooking. It is easier on your back as well since you’ll have to bend over less. You could also place an over the door towel rack in your linen closet leaving items easy to find and distribute when guests come to visit. The second approach focuses on using wasted space by organizing items you use less often. Some of these may be seasonal items such as winter clothes or beach toys. Labeling bins and storing them under the bed or in the attic gets these items out of sight until they are needed again.
The final of the 3 organizing rules focuses on flexibility. You can do this by using items that can be folded or put away to free up space. A folding workbench in the garage or a Lazy Susan organizer in a kitchen cabinet both offer functionality, while at the same time saving space. Those willing to take things to the next level can begin practicing the filing method of folding clothes. Once you master file folding, also known as the KonMari Method, you can unclutter your drawers and quickly find individual clothing items. Looking for your favorite T-shirt becomes effortless with similar items standing up, instead of placed on top of each other. It will even free up space in your closet since many different items can be folded using this method.
We all know the importance of having a well-organized home. Doing so doesn’t have to be something that we dread however. Organizing can instead be a fun activity done as a family. Once finished we have the satisfaction of knowing not only where everything is, but also that things are in the most functional place. Organizing with these 3 rules in mind will make any home or office run smoother and more efficiently.
