This week I have been organizing my kitchen and as I did I realized a few things. In any space that you declutter and organize there are a few steps you should always follow. Also, decluttering and organizing are very personal things. You need to forget about what it would look like on Instagram. You don’t need to worry about how other people would set up the space. You are the one who is going to live in the space. You are the one who is going to use the space. So purge things you won’t use and that don’t serve you. Organize the space so it functions for you!
The first step you should do when decluttering any space is to PURGE! Seriously, I know I am not the only one out there with too much stuff! Purging can be hard. We can get overwhelmed. So I usually pick a part of the larger space and just do that one part. For example, if I am doing a whole kitchen I might start with spices or a drawer. When I first started decluttering I had a hard time throwing out things that weren’t broke but I NEVER used. I felt like I was throwing away money. But what is the point in taking up space if it isn’t used. I can’t get a refund at this point. Once I realized this it was much easier to let go of stuff. Check out my post on Completing the Cycle and you will see why having less, really is more. Also when you go to purge understand that all the stuff out on counters or on your desk or laying on your floor is probably stuff you use all the time. It is out because there is no place to put it or the place to put it isn’t where it should be located. It is the stuff in cabinets, drawers, totes, closets, storage autumns, and basements that you are using. Those are the places you need to purge! For example, If your clothes are all over the floor and dresser but not in the dresser or closet, your dresser and closet may need to be purged. The other option is that your current dresser and closet don’t work as homes for your clothes. Just cause you grew up with everyone using a dresser don’t make it the right storage solution for you! Maybe you need drawers that are see through or labeled well to organize and put away your socks..Or maybe it is both that you need to purge and that you need a different system. These are things only you can decide. But, I can and will help guide you to discovering how to organize for you in upcoming posts!
The second step you should do when organizing and decluttering a space is to find the valuable real estate! This is the space that is going to be the most accessed. In a closet it may be the front of the hung clothes. In a linen closet it may be the eye level shelves. In the kitchen it might be a cabinet right by the stove.It depends on the space how you intend to use it. But you need to identify it and make sure you use it to its full potential. For example, If it is the cabinet by the stove, make sure you put pots and pans there. Put utensils for cooking in a drawer near the stove or hanging on hooks beside it. You don’t want to have to go to the other side of the room to get a spatula.
The third step you should always do when organizing can make all the difference. It is the main point to this post! Organize for your style! Next week I will be doing a whole post on Clutterbug’s way or determining your organizational style. But the big things to think about are: 1. Do I like my things out so I can see them or do I like everything tucked away to give a clean look? 2. Do I like my things to be sorted into big macro categories or do I like things in detailed categories? For example, everyone has to store some papers. Do you just throw all your bills in one pile? Or would you prefer to sort to be paid from paid ones you need to shred. Or maybe you have a tool area in the garage and you always wanted a peg board for them but instead they are in a tool box you have to dig through to use them. Maybe that is why you never work on projects anymore. Maybe your heart’s desire would be to have a clear kitchen counter. When friends come over, do you throw everything out of sight in a closet? Are you stressed out when you have lots of individual items visible? These are questions you have to learn to ask yourself so you can figure out your style!
The fourth step is to measure your space and to decide if furniture is in the optimal place for it to function.Think about the room and decide what would be the ideal furniture arrangement. If you would prefer having a closet organizer for socks and underwear versus a dresser, get one. Toss the old dresser. Donate it if it is still useful or haul it off. Get rid of any furniture that doesn’t serve you and suit your needs. Order anything you do need! I know that it hurts to spend money but it is worth it for the peace of mind.
The fifth step is to fill the space again with your items. As you do this you can see if you have purged enough. Perhaps you need some tools for organizing. For example, a holder under the sink, on the door, for tin foil and other wraps. These types of items help you maximize space and utilize the valuable real estate in a space! Again you may have to spend money but there are lots of cheaper options and hacks online.
The sixth step is to live with the organization system for a while. You need to see if you can maintain it. If you can’t or don’t, then there could be a few issues to consider. One, maybe you need to purge more stuff to make it a manageable amount. Two, maybe the home needs to be moved to a different location that is more convenient. Don’t put the home where you think it should go because it seems like it should go there. Instead think about where you naturally tend to put the items. Wherever that is, no matter how odd, is where the home should be to keep you using the system! A third issue could be that while the home is in a good location, the organizing system may not be your style. Remember, if multiple people are using the space you have to find a system that is a compromise. Otherwise the other person will not keep the space organized. If there is someone in your house that needs things to be visual and macro organized, you have to make sure they can see things, even if it is just a label with a picture. Or they will never put it away! You will have to macro organize because they will never put things back in the little spots you set up. If you try to force them you will just be endlessly mad...At least if it is in a bin with a nice label, it looks organized and isn’t spilling out all over the space. Plus, you can still find the items you need. Don’t be afraid to redo a space until you find what works! Once you do you will never have to clean up that mess again!
I hope these steps help you and you are inspired to declutter and organize a space in your home today! Come back next week to learn more about your clutterbug and organization style!
