Preparing storage spaces for every season
By Natalie Fancher as seen in Mom to Mom
For many of us, the warmer months bring the motivation to reset our homes, and we begin digging deep into spring cleaning and decluttering projects.
And if you’re like me, you may have already started with a post-holiday purge but feel like toys and other random household items are appearing out of nowhere for me to decide: “toss, keep, or donate.”
I have found during my time as a pro-organizer that sometimes the hardest part for my clients is simply starting the project. They are stuck. They are overwhelmed with what to do, what bins to buy, or how to make their spaces neat and functional for their families. They don’t have the time to organize—or, it’s not how they want to spend their time.
Whether you’re the mama who loves the art of decluttering, or the one who struggles to get started–or maybe you’re somewhere in between, I hope these three mindsets and product ideas will encourage and empower you to tackle your storage spaces with a fresh perspective during this spring cleaning season.
Let’s start with a room or closet in your home that does not bring you joy. You know the one—the closet that you put something in and then quickly shut the door, or the room that you say over and over to yourself, “I’ll get to this someday.” Well today is the day, my friend!
Here we go:
1. Give yourself GRACE & TIME.
If the space that came to mind was a small closet or a huge storage room, begin with the goal of progress, not perfection. Even if it’s by a little bit, the goal is to make that area feel and function better than it did when you started, not necessarily to make it look like a Pinterest-worthy closet.
Start with a time limit that you feel is achievable and realistic for that day. That may be a 30-minute declutter session during your child’s naptime or a five hour organizing overhaul. And if you’re someone (like me) who struggles to stay focused, using a timer can be your best ally. Understand that you might not get “done,” but remember: the goal is progress.
2. Decluttering: BE INTENTIONAL
Our team’s organizing process is:
1. Remove ALL items from the space (or zone)
2. Give it a good clean/wipe down
3. Categorize and edit or pair down items
4. Contain, arrange, and label storage bins
5. Celebrate—yes, we mean that
6. Maintain the organized space
Let’s talk more about #3 on our list. For some, this is the hardest part. Here are a few questions I ask my own clients as we work together to determine what gets to return to that room or closet. When you’re holding an item you’re just not sure about, consider this:
*How often do you use it?
*Did you even know you had it?
*If you really needed it in the future, could you re-purchase it?
*Could you pay it forward and give (or gift) it to someone else?
*Does that item evoke a positive emotion (ie: a childhood treasure or a holiday serving dish) or a negative one (ie: clothes that no longer fit or maybe an excessive amount of “fill-in-the-blank” item)?
For some things, you will be able to answer quickly ,for others, it may take a little time to reflect. That’s okay. Consider “pushing pause” on that item or put it in a “maybe” category. Then, make a final decision after all of your “keepers” have a designated home. Keep your focus on how you want to feel at the end of the project.
Pro-Tip: When it comes to items we keep in our garage or basement, we may only use them once a year. If you tend to think, “I want to keep _____ just in case, consider setting a rule with a time limit. If I haven’t used _______ in one year (for example), it’s getting donated.
3. Think in ZONES.
Establishing zones, or stations, is an important part of organizing kitchens, storage rooms and garages. For a basement/storage room, these zones could include:
*Holiday Decor
*Memorabilia
*Gift Wrap
*Clothes (for children to grow into)
*Electronics
*Sports Equipment
*Gardening
The overall goal here is efficiency. You want to be able to find what you need when you need it. When there is a general zone dedicated to a category, it gives everyone in the family a clear idea of where to get and return these items. And, labeling is key.
Need some organization in your life? Here are three storage space solutions that could bring some calm to your chaos.
Adjustable Shelves
If you’re looking for a way to get things off the floor, this is a fantastic solution. They are easy to assemble and you can adjust the shelves to fit the height of your items. Totes/bins act as boundaries and keep items neatly contained.
Multipurpose Bins
These open containers maximize the vertical space in a cabinet or on a shelf. The multipurpose bin is an excellent storage solution for craft rooms, garages, cleaning supplies, playrooms–so many possibilities.
Storage Totes & Labels
Clear or solid color? You get to decide. Some like to see what’s inside; some like it hidden. In both cases, adding a label will bring uniformity and order to your space. And when followed, will eliminate (or at least minimize) that age-old question: “Where does this go?”
Pro-Tip: You don’t have to have a fancy label maker to create a neat label. Print your category/bin label on a piece of computer paper and attach it to a bin with packing tape strips over the front. Long lasting and inexpensive.
Whether you consider organizing a chore or a hobby, the result of decluttering always brings a breath of fresh air. You will feel lighter, less overwhelmed, and more in control of your home. It’s a continual process, but it gets easier (and faster) with each time.
Now, think back on that room or closet that wasn’t joy inspiring and when you’re ready, open that door and start. Put your hands on something and go. Then something else, then something else. And, before you know it, you’re making progress and will see results.
And if you want to call in reinforcements, our team would love to help make your spaces look a little more “Nice & Neat.”