Admin Wendy
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 |  Subject: 10 Home Organization Tricks  Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:37 pm | |
| Spring is traditionally the time when we feel the need to clean and get organized. But no matter how organized we may strive to be, disorder has a way of sneaking in. But we don't have to raise the white flag. This article contains, ten strategies for keeping a bit of balance on the home front:
1. Slow Down: Take time to look around. Note the details of your home: the way the sun slants in, the pictures you choose to display -- the dust that has gathered on the windowsill. You may suddenly see that there are too many tchotchkes on your desk, or that there is a more efficient way to organize your kitchen. Being still for a time in your own space will help you see what you may have overlooked.
2. Round it Up: If it sometimes seems that mayhem has gotten the best of you, remember that you don't have to manage it all at once. Even a simple 5-minute spruce-up can work wonders. Pitching odds and ends into a laundry basket in the corner will quickly free up living (and breathing) space and corral errant items that are in the way. Once you've collected all the gadgets and gizmos, grab a few at a time to put away as you go about your day.
3. Pair Them Off: Encourage family members to group work and school clothes as ready-made outfits when putting away laundry. Pairing shirts with pants or skirts will create an instant wardrobe for the week so you won't have to set out clothes each night; instead, just "grab and go" in the morning.
4. Make Friends With Your Freezer: Plan ahead for "cook-free" days by doubling portions and freezing the leftovers. Keep in mind, too, that many dinner items can pull double-duty: Sides of rice and carrots at one meal, for instance, can be added to soup stock for another. When you have extra time, prepare two or more meals at once and freeze for easy heat-and-serve during the week.
5. Consult Your Checklist: Keys, handbag, and homework? Check. You can help avert "I forgot" moments by posting a bulletin of everyday essentials for the morning rush hour. Cell phone, diaper bag, permission slips, and checks to deposit may also be mainstays on your list.
6. Stash it With Style: Line up personalized bins, baskets, or decorative boxes in your entryway for family members to stow on-the-go items.
7. Keep it on the Hook: Whether your style is contemporary, classic, or rustic, rows of pegs on the walls in high-traffic areas, such as the laundry room, front entry, and bathroom will keep clutter at bay and let your decor take center stage. Vintage doorknobs mounted on a board or canvas shopping bags hung side by side are eye-catching alternatives for keeping miscellaneous items off your countertops or floor.
8. Invite Someone Over: Scheduling a visit from a friend or neighbor is one sure-fire way to kick-start your home organization plan. Mentally adhering to a date by which you open your home to guests can keep you motivated and focused on creating an inviting environment.
9. Make Tasks Less of a Chore: Turn up the music, get your body moving, and tell yourself that sweeping, dusting, or mopping during your workout is purely incidental!
10. Donate What You Don't Need: Donations of items in gently-used condition benefit people in your community, help free up space in your home, and are tax-deductible. Clothes, books, household items, toys, and furniture are among the goods sought by charitable organizations. Many non-profit agencies will even come to your house to pick up items you wish to give. "Donation Town", an online resource for donating clothes and household goods to charities, features an extensive list of worthwhile organizations as well as a helpful guide to how you can give to others in need.
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