As you declutter your home and create a plan to get organized and stay organized, it is a good idea to learn how to set up zones so that it is easy to put things back where they belong, and, more importantly, so you can find what you need.
This process can take a lot of thought and planning. Pay attention to how and where you use things before you decide where to put them and how to store them in an organized way. And, please, let go of anything you haven’t used in the last 6 months. Trust me, you can live without it.
Here’s an example from our home. We have a large closet in the entry which I have divided into several zones. Half of the closet is for all things exercise related including biking supplies, yoga gear and weights. The other half is household items that we use a lot such as light bulbs, batteries, paper towel and the toolbox. You will notice that I have labelled all the baskets which is so important so don’t skip that step.
We also have a recycling area below the bottom shelf which works well because it’s next to the kitchen and close to the front door so we can easily take it out every few days. And hooks on the door hold our monogrammed aprons (love them BTW) right next to the kitchen.
I have tweaked what is in that closet several times to get it just right and you will likely find you have to do the same.
Here are a few tips to help you set up zones in your home.
- Setting up zones involves grouping like things together based on how and where you use them. For example, many people like to have a coffee station in their kitchen where they keep coffee, tea, and mugs in a cabinet above the coffee machine.
- Another zone might be clothing storage. Arrange your space so that your dresser is close to the closet and everything you need to get dressed in the morning is together.
- Designate a drawer or cabinet for office-related items close to where you use them every day. For example, you might have a recycle bin and a drawer for supplies near the front entrance of your home. And you might set up a small bill processing center on a shelf in a kitchen cabinet. Please purchase a good drawer organizer like this one https://www.staples.ca/products/799778-en-rubbermaid-regeneration-deep-drawer-organizer-black
- If your children are organizing their space, they will also want to have zones. For example, all of their keepsakes together in a nice decorative box on a shelf in the closet. And perhaps any photos next to those in another box. They will likely need a homework zone with a desk and all their supplies close by. Don’t forget to provide them with a garbage can and a laundry hamper in their bedroom.
- Purchase a few basic organizing tools that you can take with you if you ever move to a new space. Expandable drawer dividers can work really well. Perhaps a tiered spice rack or spice drawer organizer will keep those organized. And matching bins with labels are always great in a cabinet or on a shelf.
- Add hooks inside your closet doors so that you can keep things off the floor. We love 3M Command Adhesive hooks for almost everything. Check them out here https://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/products/
If this all seems like too much effort or it just doesn’t interest you to spend time trying to get organized at home, contact me and we will come and help you get it just right. This is nothing more satisfying than having “a place for everything and everything in its place.”