This tip is a snippet from the online workshop The FUNdamentals of Getting Organized. It’s like a little taste test that you can put into action today to begin seeing more order in your home. Enjoy!
Organizing FUNdamental #11: Assign a place for everything.
You’ve probably heard the organizing mantra “A place for everything, everything in its place.” This fundamental is about the first part of that equation—assigning a place for everything. An organized home functions easily because your activities and items have a designated, logical and convenient home. When you assign specific spots for the items in your home, your home begins to make more sense—it starts to feel organized. (And maintaining it becomes easier, too.)
I’d also like to point out that this FUNdamental says “assign a place” for everything, and not “assign places for everything.” Whenever possible, assign a single location for each item. In other words, assign one home for batteries, light bulbs, and extra personal care items such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste. This will make it easier to remember where things are and keep track of how much is on hand. This means you’ll be less likely to stock up on stuff you don’t need (and don’t have space for).
Take Action! Put this FUNdamental into action today by taking a look at any clutter in your home. Do you have items without a designated home? If so, assign a spot for your homeless items by considering where you use them most often. You may need to declutter or rearrange items to get your homeless stuff to fit, but in the end, it will be worth it when your home functions seamlessly.
Happy organizing!
I’ve always tried to do this. One of my main “de-cluttering” tasks is to gather together all similar items (whether present-wrapping things, household maintenance things, letter-writing/posting things, body/hair washing things, etc…) and see how much I have, then find an appropriately sized storage space to keep it in.
What REALLY doesn’t help this process is the fact that manufacturers keep changing packaging styles and sizes !! Something which once fitted your shelf or drawer nicely, is now just too long, too tall or too wide…! So it needs to be kept elsewhere… Or you have to start the whole process again…
I’ve not seen this point addressed anywhere, and of course I know it’s an “excuse”, but it is an important factor in why people have stuff apparently scattered randomly through their house.
Thanks Marian. Have you tried decanting some of these things…it bottles or containers that fit in your storage areas? It’s an extra step…but it could help maintain the order you’ve worked so hard to create.
Just a thought.
Aby