Your Organizing Coach

Give Your Belongings a Home

Time for a new book chapter. I've been posting them every Wednesday but yesterday, well, I forgot. So, herewith, Chapter 5, or buy the ebook here.

Simple Way #5

Assign Homes

It’s much easier to put things away when you know where they go. How do you know? You just decide. Base your decision on how much there is, whether you need it to be handy and what size and shape container makes sense. For example, paper can go in stacking trays, wall mounted slots, cute baskets, paperboard magazine holders; etc. Use what appeals to you and what is logical to you.

To improve their effectiveness, label your containers. You may think it’s obvious but your brain will recognize a labeled container much faster than an unlabelled one, which makes putting things away easier.

Right now:

If you don’t have containers yet, start by labeling your piles with Post-It Notes. Note: try to resist buying containers until you know what size you need.

 

My Video about Using Your Inbox

I finally did it! I made a video and slapped it up on YouTube. For my first one, I think it turned out pretty well. There are lots of things I'll do differently next time (put the camera higher so I'm not talking down to people, project more, wear brighter clothes and make up), but I decided it was worth posting. Having the "play" arrow right over my nose makes me look a bit like Minnie Mouse!

I'd love to hear your comments! Is the material helpful? Are you eager to see the next installment? What topics should I cover? Thanks!!!

Containment

I love it when simple changes make a big difference. Example: a pile of fruit on your dining table is just a random pile of fruit. Put the fruit in a bowl or basket and, voila!, you've got a centerpiece.

My client was bugged by some items out on his coffee table, but didn't really want to put them elsewhere because he used them all the time. The remote control(s), the TV Guide, the stereo controller and a note pad were fairly neatly arranged on the table, but they looked, well, unorganized.

We discovered an attractive wicker tray in the pantry and stationed it at one end of the coffee table. All the items fit snugly inside without piling. What a difference! Not only did the table now look more orderly, but it's easy as pie to use and put back any of the items.

See if there's a horizontal surface at your house that would benefit from containers. They can be trays, shallow boxes, ceramic dishes, woven baskets or whatever fits the bill.

Flower centerpiece from roblisameehan's photostream

Shoe Storage Ideas

When you’re not wearing them, take care of them. That means putting them away. These boots may be made for walking, but they don’t do it on their own. The three keys to good shoe storage are: Easy to use, accessible and spacious.

Habits create ease. When a task is a habit, it’s automatically easier because you don’t have to think about it. Make putting your shoes away part of your current routine. When you come inside, you put your jacket and bag somewhere, right? And I don’t mean on the back of the sofa. Include shoe stowing in that routine. For example, jacket in front closet, bag on foyer table, shoes in bedroom closet.

If that’s too much work, create a daily dumping spot for your shoes; under the foyer table, under the coffee table, floor of the front closet, etc. The only way this works, though, is if you’re willing to do a daily or semi-weekly tidy up when you put the shoes back in your clothes closet. To keep them looking nice, select a spot where there’s room for a few pairs so shoes won’t get jumbled together and damaged.

The amount of work you have to do to put something away is inversely proportionate to the likelihood of you doing it. Clear plastic shoe boxes are orderly and keep your shoes clean and safe, but they are a pain in the neck to use, in my opinion. Taking a box off the shelf and opening it is two movements already! You want storage that’s accessible without reaching, bending, opening, shoving aside, etc.

Uncrowded space is key to putting away almost anything. Just as your file drawers should never get more than 2/3 full, so you don’t have to use muscle power to wedge things in there, your shoe shelves, cubbies, etc., should be roomy enough so you can access them easily.

Roominess also helps prevent damage to your shoes. If you store 50 pairs of shoes in a space where only 30 will really fit, they’re going to be squashed together and get crushed and scratched. If this is your situation, you’ll have to get creative and realistic about your storage options.

Here are some ideas: 

• Move your shoes to the front hall closet if that’s where you hang your jackets.
• Use shelves at the front door, Asian style.
• Clear the floor of your clothes closet and let it be only for shoes. Then you can almost just kick them off!
• Store off-season shoes away from those currently in use.
• Double up or stack flip flops, slippers and other sturdy, compact shoes.
• Keep special occasion shoes in boxes on a shelf and put a big photo of the shoes on the end of the box to remind you of what’s in there (this is a good trick if you’re worried you’ll forget shoes that you can’t see).

If you buy containers, make sure they will fit your shoes and your closet space

• Chunky heels, boots and platforms won’t fit into shoe pockets
• Over the rail cubbies are great, if you can spare the rail space
• Wire shelving not so good for stilettos; the heel sinks through and the shoes can get scraped
• Baskets are only good for casual shoes that can be bashed up a bit. Best for canvas, plastic and very sturdy leather

My favorite shoe containers:

• Over the door shoe pockets for low profile shoes
• Over the rail cubbies for bulkier shoes and for doubling up flip flops and slippers
• Three-shelf unit under my short hanging items for any size shoe and floppy boots
• Floor space for rigid boots

Figure out what works for you!

Where Are My Keys????

Choosing a place to put your keys the minute you come in the house is a really productive thing to do. How much time have you wasted searching for those &$%(*@ things? They're small, they get into tricky spots quickly, and they don't come when you call.

The best place is right inside the front door (or whatever door you use). If there's a table there, station a cute bowl or basket on it. If not, put a hook in the wall. Just use a cup hook or get something fancier. Some key holders have the word KEYS in big letters on them. If that helps you remember to use it, all the better. I don't recommend the kind with doors; you need to see it.

Put your keys there all the time. It doesn't matter if you're leaving the house again in 5 minutes. The idea is to get used to having that go-to spot for the keys. Save your cursing for the next traffic jam. 

To recap:

1. Devise a way to stash your keys right near the door
2. Put them there ALL THE TIME you're in the house, everyday
3. Start today

Label Storage Containers with Pictures

Last week I went to Kangaroom Storage's brick and mortar store (360 Langton Street, Suite 105, San Francisco) grand opening with my pal/colleague Victoria Roberts-Russell. We saw lots of clever products for the home and colorful, fun ones for kids.

I asked designer Patricia Richman what hot concepts the company is currently working on. She said one of her favorites is designing products that encourage pre-reading kids to organize their own stuff. Labeling with words is incredibly helpful to keep things orderly and labeling with pictures does the same trick for little kids.

At right is a mini two-section sorting hamper with large plastic-covered slots on the front to add picture labels. This one was set up for laundry. Colored items go in the right side and whites (there would be an uncolored-in picture here) on the left side. It could also be set up with pictures of the two kids who use it, or with photos of dolls on one side and cars and trucks on the other side. You get the picture.

It's never too early to get everyone in the family pitching in to keep the home organized, so I love this idea.

Ways to Make Decluttering Easier

Getting stuff is easy. No one has a problem with that. So why is getting rid of stuff so hard? Mainly because no one reminds you to do it.

So here are some quick ideas to make disposing of unwanted items easier:

• Have waste baskets in every room. More than one if necessary. It may seem like a no-brainer, but I have witnessed people putting junk back on their desk because there was no waste basket handy.
• Put donation bags in your closets. Every time you come across something you don't want, toss it in the bag. When it's full, take it to the Goodwill. Repeat.
• Be generous with recycling containers. Put them wherever you need them; under your desk, in the kitchen, by the mail sorting center.
• Make use of Freecycle.org and the free section of Craigslist.com. It's amazing what people will take off your hands for free.

Other ideas are having a clothing swap with your friends or starting a white elephant table for your club or organization meetings. Get creative! The easier it is to get things out of your life, the more you'll do it.

Bonus hint: free stuff is still stuff! Don't take stuff just because you didn't have to pay for it. It can become clutter even faster than store-bought stuff.

Crumpled wastebasket via Apartment Therapy.

Cute Fruit Storage

I guess I've got fruit on the brain. I came across this striking fruit holder on Declutter It! My first thought was that it looks like a toilet seat. But now I think it looks kind of like a life preserver. It's certainly unusual and would be a definite conversation piece.

If your kitchen's horizontal spaces are full, this would be a great thing to have since it uses wall space (although I'm not clear on whether you can actually buy one or it's just a design). I suppose you could use it for other round-ish foods like onions or potatoes. Or put it in the bedroom and use it for balled up socks. Or in the bathroom for soap (that's a lot of soap, though).

Organize with Teacups

I love Martha Stewart Living. It's a beautiful magazine that's a joy just to look at, even if I never do any of the crafts or cook any recipes. She also publishes organizing tips, most of which involve lots of labor and/or crafting. Being Martha, she's not into quick and dirty solutions.

Her recent "Organizing Tip of the Day," however, is a simple one, provided you already have the materials (this tip originated in the sadly departed Blueprint). The idea is to fill a shallow drawer with teacups and saucers that can be used to store jewelry. Lots of small containers makes for less tangling.

I've had many clients who've got lovely china, inherited or collected, that stays stashed away in cupboards most of its life. This is a charming way to use and see your gorgeous cups and saucers every day. Unless, of course, you've got lots of baby ducks to raise...

Yes, You Need an In Box

What's the quickest way to clear off your desk? Stuff everything into your in box. That's where it should have gone first anyway.

Don't fool yourself that having everything out where you can see it is helping you get things done faster. Stop setting things down on the counter, or the edge of the desk, or on top of the printer until you can get to them. Use one spot, your in box, to collect everything and then go through it every day, or more often if need be.

The beloved Wikipedia has an entry on David Allen that succinctly describes how to use an in box. I don't think it's verboten to put things back into the in box, however, if you aren't ready to decide on them. Such a rule is likely to encourage you to make a separate pile and that would mess up the system. The point is that everything you need to do something about is in that box until you do something about it.

Here are some more in box benefits:

• You know where things are. If there's an important piece of paper you haven't dealt with yet, it's in there.
• You desk will be free of clutter. If you routinely have non-paper items in transit on your desk, get a big enough in box to hold them (computer peripherals, books, stray socks, whatever)
• You'll be able to find things that often get hidden under the piles, such as your planner, address book and calculator.

Try it for a few weeks. You can start out with a cardboard paper box. Practice putting everything that's on the desk and in your hands when you come in the door into the in box. When you sit at the desk, go through the box as described in the Allen article. Even if you don't do this religiously, you'll still gain the three benefits mentioned above.

Your in box need not be cheesy black plastic. The Container Store has a nice looking wooden box. This rattan basket is from Ikea. An in box need not come from an office supply store, but it needs to come from somewhere, so go get one!