If you’re a pack rat who never throws anything away, or you have trouble finding things, chances are clutter has taken over your home. Start reclaiming control of your space with organization tips from Joan Kohn, author of “It’s Your Kitchen” and “It’s Your Bed and Bath.”
– Reserve a permanent parking space for everything: You’d never buy a car without knowing where you were going to park it once you brought it home. The same principle applies to everything you buy. Discipline yourself by selecting new items that will fit neatly into an empty “parking space” in your closet. If all your storage spaces are full, be sure to trade in your old model before you get a new one.
– Make room for life’s daily messes: Transitional spaces like mudrooms, back hallways or even a corner in the garage, lined with cubbies and lockers for every member of the family (including the pets!) are perfect for organizing coats, mittens, boots, sports gear and all the daily paraphernalia that can spill over into the house. Equipping the space with a small sink makes it practical for quick cleanups and for potting and flower arranging too.
– Let go while you hold on: It’s much easier to stay organized when you own only what you really need. So rather than keeping furniture and housewares for sentimental reasons long after they’ve outlived their usefulness, take pictures and create a scrapbook where you can save your memories forever. Use captions to tell the whole history of the objects and what they mean to you. Then recycle by passing items along to a friend, family member or favorite charity.
– Team up to eliminate excess: Work with a pal to purge your closets, countertops, bookcases and basements of unnecessary stuff. There’s nothing better than the honesty of clutter-buddies who are determined to help you put your house on a “cleansing diet” in return for your help in their homes. Start with the modest aim of eliminating only 10 items. Make this a regular ritual.
– Try not to repeat yourself: You can “have it all,” but your home will be much more orderly when you don’t “have it all over the house.” Limiting the number of television sets and stereos, for example, keeps your home decor simpler and quieter. One message center for the family and one place for the kids’ toys will also help you keep that sense of serenity and control we all yearn for.
