Honoré here: Today's Ten on Tuesday prompt - organization - is a subject dear and near to me. It is as though I'm a magnet and if the word organization appears, I am instantly attracted. I read books, magazines, blogs and websites on the topic a-l-l the time. So, my first tip: read the above mentioned items. Alot may be redundant but presented with a different spin. The value: you will undoubtedly come across a tip that immediately resonates and solves a problem. And the great thing about many books, magazines and blogs is the eye candy: very colorful photos, both before and after, with all sorts of do-able ideas ...you get the picture?
(Some items from my "collection" of organizing books; the BHG magazine is a 2010 special interest publication. According to a media release, the 2011 issue will be available 3/8/11, if you're interested...)
My second tip - an idea I picked up from a magazine and adopted several years ago: roll towels for storage in the linen closet; that really, really does make the shelf neater and provides more room.
My third tip is to fold and store bed linens - top and bottom sheets - together in their matching pillow case. Changing beds is a snap this way and don't forget, you only need three sets per bed, anyway: one to "wear, one to wash and one to spare." While we're on bed linens, my fourth tip, one that I find really adds to organization: make up the bed first thing...for me, I just seem to feel more organized, even if my day goes south in a handbasket!
Fifth: Years ago, I had the closets redesigned and one change was shelves for shoes - in other words, get them off the floor. Indeed! Indeed! Indeed! You don't even have to go through the costly expense as I did - those over-the-door shoe bags are excellent alternatives and do the trick very well.
Sixth: A place for everything and everything in its place and along with that, seventh: put it back!
Eighth: It's always good to have designated space and/or staging areas for certain things, such as a mail in/out center; a wrapping station; work/hobby areas. Like with like. And this concept covers nearly everything. My ninth tip logically follows: have duplicates of things like scissors, tape, paper and pens, and a stapler, nicely contained in a basket or other container - I use clear plastic pencil boxes (which is also a great tip: use clear/see thru storage containers). A duplicate set means I don't have to go up/down the steps for a pair of scissors or tape, etc.
Last but certanly not least, tip number ten: reduce, reuse, recycle. I have way more than I need or will ever use ( many of you are probably nodding your heads in unison) and of course, storage space is limited. I am rapidly coming to the realization that less is more (that requires organizing) and is cheaper, too.
Looking forward to reading your organizing tips. Now, off to accomplish something...
Cheers~