Company is coming in just 15 minutes and the place is a mess – what do you do? If you’re like most people, you grab a few grocery bags, stuff papers, magazines and other miscellaneous items in them and tuck them into the nearest closet. Although this acts as a quick fix for the moment, it’s really not a solution. As you probably have discovered, randomly shoving things where they don’t belong can make it difficult, if not impossible, to find them when they’re needed. It leads to frustration and stress for you and your family. Find the perfect spot for everything in your home and you can enjoy feeling relaxed and in control, especially when company’s coming!
Find a Home:
Each time something new comes into your home, immediately find a permanent place for it. Never put it ‘here, just for now’. To determine the best spot for it, ask yourself where you usually keep other objects like it, and where and how often you will use it. Store similar things together, and place items close to where you typically use them. Items used daily should be kept in the most accessible areas (within arm’s reach), whereas seldom-used items can be stored in harder to reach spaces. If you still can’t decide where to store something, ask ‘where’s the first place I’d look if I needed it’ and go with your first answer. Keep a label-maker handy to label drawers, shelves and containers so you don’t have to rely on your memory when you need to find something quickly.
Lost and Found:
Designate a box, bin or basket as your household’s ‘lost and found area’. When tidying up, deposit any stray items like bobby pins, sunglasses, earrings, etc. inside. Do this daily and be consistent. It’ll soon become the first place family members look for missing objects.
Where is that manual?
Have you added new appliances and electronics to your home recently? Staple the receipt and warranty to the instruction manual and tape it to the bottom of the item so it’s easy to find it when you need it. For large appliances like the washer and dryer, pin the manuals on a cork board in the laundry room. For portable items like cell phones and MP3 players, store the manuals in an accordion file organized by category.
Corral Bathroom Confusion:
There’s nothing more defeating first thing in the morning than trying to get ready in a chaotic bathroom. Give family members their own plastic basket to keep their toiletries in. Make sure it has a handle so it’s easier to carry from their room to the bathroom and back. If you have the space and decide to keep all the baskets in the bathroom, choose a different color for each person.
Where’s my other black sock?
Separate socks in three categories: black, white and colour, and store them in lidless shoe boxes in your drawer. Buy several pairs of the same socks so you can match the partners quickly and easily. Separate panty hose by colour and store them in plastic zippered bags to eliminate snags. Prevent socks from mysteriously vanishing by washing them in mesh lingerie bags (one bag per family member).
Where’s the remote?
Use Velcro to attach the remote to the side of the television set when not in use and you’ll never waste time searching for it again. Or, consider purchasing an electronic remote finder which makes a loud, distinctive sound to help you find it (this also works for keys).
Have you seen my keys?
How many times have you arrived late because you couldn’t find your keys? Choose a home for them and get into the habit of always keeping them in that spot. Hang them on a designated hook or toss them in a bowl by the door (but not within view from the exterior). Leave a copy of your keys with a trusted neighbour for emergencies.
How to motivate the kids to stay neat:
Remind your children that all the time they spend searching for lost items can be better spent doing fun things with friends instead. Get them involved in the organizing process and let them choose colourful containers for their rooms. This will give them a feeling of ownership. As a result, they’ll be more motivated to put things back where they belong and keep their spaces tidy.
Retrieve items lost outside the home:
Put a return address label (with cell/office phone number) on all your belongings when you travel. This can include anything from your agenda and camera to your child’s favourite toy. If you lose it, this simple act will increase the likelihood of having it returned to you.
With these simple suggestions, you will never again have to experience the frustration and stress of trying to locate missing items.
Hellen Buttigieg, CPO®, is a Certified Professional Organizer®, life coach, TV Host and owner of We Organize U. She is a professional speaker and the author of the book Organizing Outside The Box. For tips on organizing your home, your office and your life, visit http://www.WeOrganizeU.com and sign up for Hellen’s free newsletter. To contact Hellen or for information on hiring a We Organize U organizing specialist, call 905-829-2219 or e-mail info@WeOrganizeU.com
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