2. Kristin Joyce and her team from Closet-Maid decided to create a utility room out of the new open space.3. All the boxes from the space were cleared out, the floors swept and the cinderblock was painted bright white.
Organizing
Andrew Mellen has the following advice for organizing and storing items in the home:
1. Like things with like things. Do not mix-and-match when storing items and keep all like things together. For instance, store all your Christmas decorations in one area instead of splitting them up between rooms.
2. Clear plastic containers like those by Rubbermaid are ideal for storing things because you can quickly see what is inside.
3. Label all containers with as much detail as you need to fully understand what is inside. Label as you go.
4. Do not over-stuff storage containers. Big containers with tons of small stuff are not nearly as useful as multiple medium size containers with a reasonable amount of stuff stored inside.
5. Do not over-buy storage containers. You do not want to have to organize the storage solutions.
6. Do it now, and do it right. If you save it for later, it will not get done.
Sorting Mail
Every day, mail should be sorted into six categories. Do not start sorting the mail and then stop to finish later. Do not sort the mail into two categories. If you follow the process of sorting into six categories, you will find the amount of clutter you have related to mail is significantly reduced. The categories are:
1. Junk: Unwanted catalogs and other unsolicited correspondence. This pile is immediately discarded into the recycling bin or trash.
2. Personal Correspondence: Letters and cards from friends and family.
3. Asks/Solicitations: Mail from organizations you support or your friends support and they are personalized to you. These include invitations.
4. Bills: Remove the statement and the return envelope, read the inserts for anything of importance and then discard everything except the return envelope and the statement, including the envelope in which the bill came.
5. Periodicals: These include magazines, journals, papers, newsletters, etc. Most periodical information is available online, so if you receive the next month's issue before finishing the previous month, discard the previous month and find it online.
6. Action Items: These are non-bills that require an action on your part, ie. a form to fill out and return, etc.
Photos
When you first get pictures back from the developer, either on CD or prints, sort through them and discard the ones that you do not want. There is no need to hold onto photos you would never share with anyone for "posterity" or some later date when they will become more appealing. Certainly discard any out of focus or poorly cropped, then the unflattering ones. Once you've weeded through the ones you do not like, then put the rest in the envelope they came in (remove any fliers, coupons, or other paper the developer stuck in there) and clearly label the envelope. Store negatives and/or CDs appropriately.
Souvenirs
Think before you bring things home...maps, brochures, etc. They may make nice souvenirs but really evaluate whether it's important enough to bring into the house. Will you look at them again? Will you pass them on to someone else making the same trip? Or, will they end up in a box in your basement for all of eternity? Souvenirs from a trip need to be those things that remind you of your experience and things you'll reference again. There is no requirement to keep souvenirs. Memories may be enough.
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