Real Estate Over Coffee - Let's Get Organized
Jun 30, 2023 12:47PM ● By Jeannie Quick
Whether you are ready to move or not, it is better when we are organized and everything is in its place. I don’t know about you, but when I need something, I hate looking for hours because I cannot find it. So, if you are ready to look for your new home or stay where you are, let’s declutter and get organized.
A few tips along the way:
1. Start by removing everything in that space. For example: chest of drawers – empty all the drawers and put them back in organized.
2. As you are going through items, discard broken items first.
3. If you are putting items back in drawers, put socks, underwear, etc. in the top drawer, easy to reach. Years ago, someone showed me how to fold T-shirts and tops and stack them on a shelf in the closet. This way you could see a shirt and also color coordinate. Really works.
4. After everything is in its place, it’s time to label. Labeling helps you find things, so you don’t have to go rooting through a bunch of containers. Labeling also increases the likelihood that you will put things back where they go.
5. This is the step that is most easily forgotten. Once you have done all this hard work, it’s important to put everything back in its place when you’re done with it.
Now remember I told you to label each tub you are keeping with colored construction paper. If you are moving, you can instruct anyone helping you with moving boxes on where to put the boxes by color. Saves a lot of questions.
Until next time…Jeannie
Gather three good-sized tubs. One for “keep,” one for “giveaway/sell,” and one for “throw away.” First let’s start with a space, room, or area you want to organize.
If you start with the bedroom, the chest of drawers is a good place to start—go through with the intent of putting what you want to keep back in the drawers, and tub one is for keep/storage, tub two give away/sell, and tub three is garbage. Proceed to the dresser, even the jewelry chest, and last is the closet. NOTE: FOR EACH TUB YOU KEEP, USE A DIFFERENT COLOR OF CONSTRUCTION PAPER TO NOTE WHICH ROOM IT GOES IN. Now move to the next room, or space and repeat. After completing the house, move to the basement, then the garage, and so on.
A few tips along the way:
1. Start by removing everything in that space. For example: chest of drawers – empty all the drawers and put them back in organized.
2. As you are going through items, discard broken items first.
3. If you are putting items back in drawers, put socks, underwear, etc. in the top drawer, easy to reach. Years ago, someone showed me how to fold T-shirts and tops and stack them on a shelf in the closet. This way you could see a shirt and also color coordinate. Really works.
4. After everything is in its place, it’s time to label. Labeling helps you find things, so you don’t have to go rooting through a bunch of containers. Labeling also increases the likelihood that you will put things back where they go.
5. This is the step that is most easily forgotten. Once you have done all this hard work, it’s important to put everything back in its place when you’re done with it.
Now remember I told you to label each tub you are keeping with colored construction paper. If you are moving, you can instruct anyone helping you with moving boxes on where to put the boxes by color. Saves a lot of questions.
Don’t forget from time to time, go through the storage boxes and maybe it is time to let go or pass on the items in storage. I suggest that you be patient with yourself. Don’t try to tackle everything at once. That’s just a recipe for burnout and overwhelm. Pick just one place to start—a place small enough to complete at one time.
After each room, area, or space is completed, reward yourself. Sit back, have a treat, and feel good about what you have done.
Until next time…Jeannie