Sunset Beach, NC Organize and De-Clutter Your Home

Home Improvement Guide

Keeping your home organized and in order is often an overwhelming task. Without even knowing it, piles of mail, clothes and miscellaneous items start growing in every room. Before things get too out of control, discover some simple solutions that keep the clutter down and rooms organized. Optimally, closet, storage and shelving spaces provide functioning homes for necessary items. Getting rid of things you no longer need or use de-clutters rooms turning disorderly areas into neat, airy spaces.

Begin the organization process by developing a plan. This plan will help you stay focused and on task, avoiding distractions and emotional exhaustion that sometimes occurs when tackling a project like home organization. Start small and concentrate on one area of a room before taking on the entire room. This will help you realize progress and further motivate you to expand the organization. Determine the goal for an area, then a room. Write down what needs to be done in the room and what the final goal should look like. Include items that need to be removed and what organizational items need to be added. Develop a check list and focus on one item at a time. Before long, the area or room will be neat and organized.

Every home has a variety of that serve a variety of purposes. Closets are found in kitchens, entry halls, bedrooms, family rooms, garages and bathrooms. Each closet varies in size and shape, and should be the first place you turn when looking to organize your home. There are several options available to help organize closets and each one should be individually considered based on its purpose. As you contemplate the organizational needs within your home, develop a strategy to maximize the use of closet space and establish order where there was once chaos.

Establish a Plan
Start closet organization by first developing a plan. Prior to buying any closet organizational accessories, it is critical to establish a plan. Determine the function of the closet and what it should hold. Will a bedroom closet need to house more than clothes? Does a kitchen pantry need to hold more than food? Creating a set plan keeps the needs focused and determines what closet accessories maximize the available space.

Determine What Stays
Most likely, the closet you are looking to organize already has items in it. Grab some large plastic bins and start clearing everything out. Starting with a blank canvas helps you look outside the usual space and create a fuller functioning closet. It also allows you to discover everything that is inside and initiate the de-cluttering process. Label individual plastic bins with a “keep”, “get rid of”, and “donate” tag. As you pull out each item, determine if it stays, goes or needs to be donated. After completing this process, the “keep” bins are the only items that need a home back in the closet. The contents of the “get rid of” bin are thrown away and the “donate” bin is taken to a local charity organization.

Sort What Remains Sort each remaining item in the “keep” bins by category. Create a separate pile for each type of clothing, shoes, socks, canned foods, blankets, linens, games, etc. Each category represents a separate element of organization in the closet. This determines whether more shelves than rods are needed. Should drawers and cabinets be included? Every closet structure is unique and dependent on what it needs to include. Use this sorting exercise to help map out the design and function of the closet.

Organizational Tools
Now that you know what needs to go back into the closet, design a layout that allows for maximum storage and easy access. There are a variety of options and tools that can be utilized based on individual needs. Before purchasing any organizational tools, learn what options are available and create a design sketch of the anticipated structure. Take measurements to ensure enough room is accounted for based on the amount of items that need to be stored. Bring the design shopping with you as organizational tools are available in a wide array of sizes. Talk with a specialist at the home improvement store or closet specialty store for assistance in purchasing what you need.

Rods: A traditional closet has one bar that runs the length of the closet. Today’s organized closets include several bars at varying lengths and heights to maximize the number of hanging items it can hold. Adjustable rods make installation easy, often doubling or tripling the amount of space available for clothing.

Shelves: A wide variety of shelving options are available to support sweaters, shoes, tee shirts, hats, scarves, etc. Shelving heights and widths can be custom created to hold a variety of items, in varying sizes. Larger shelving in a kitchen pantry supports bulk food items or larger syrup bottles. Smaller shelves with special design features allow for foods to be sorted or rotated for quicker and easier use. Consider installing shelving all the way to the ceiling, taking advantage of normally wasted space. Storing a step stool inside the closet provides easier access to the shelves.

Drawers: Custom-designed drawers create room for undergarments, lingerie, socks, and jewelry. Drawers can be made to fit any length or width based on your needs. They also hide the contents making the closet look elegant and less cluttered.

Storage Containers: For items used less often, consider sealing them in storage containers and placing them on top shelves. The storage containers keep them together while eliminating clutter. Purchasing see-through containers lets you see immediately what is inside. This is ideal for seasonal items such as gloves, scarves, or bathing suits. Storage bins in pantries can hold sauce packets, measuring spoons, or cookie cutters.

Shoe Racks: Make finding a pair of shoes much easier by including one or several shoe racks. A variety of styles are available based on the space available and personal design preference. Each style offers a different location to place the racks such as behind the door, hanging from rods or sitting on the floor.

Baskets: Wire or wicker baskets provide the advantages of a drawer without the custom installation. Wire baskets allow the contents to be readily seen while wicker baskets hide them to create a cleaner look.

Hooks and Hangers: Well placed hooks provide storage solutions for bulkier items or easier access to most used items. Bathrobes and pajamas are easily accessed while bulkier and blazers are out of the way, taking up less closet space . Hooks can also be used for holding belts, ties, purses, umbrellas or aprons in a pantry.

The type of hanger used makes a considerable difference in the organization of a closet. Wire hangers misshape clothing and have a hard time holding certain garments. Clothing with straps slide off the sides and fall to the floor. Keep these garments hanging by purchasing plastic or wooden hangers with notches to hold straps and specialty sleeves. Hang all hangers in the same direction to create a uniform design and provide easy access to clothing.

Hire a Closet Organizer
If designing your own closet is more than you want to tackle or you would like some organizational help, consider hiring a closet organizer. Professional closet organizers can help design a functional closet based on your storage needs. To find one in your area, visit the Closet & Closet Accessories heading at MyYP.com or home improvement centers typically have staff on hand or can recommend a quality closet organizer.

Adding more storage to your home is the easiest way to de-clutter and keep things looking orderly. Finding the room for storage can be a daunting task but a few simple solutions quickly free up room and make things tidy. As you start the storage process, keep a few things in mind.

• Only create storage solutions for items you use on a frequent basis. If you haven’t used the item in the past year, get rid of it. Don’t waste your time finding a home for something you may never use again.


• Properly label boxes, containers or jars used to store additional items. This makes it easier to find what you are looking for, eliminating the need to look through several containers.


• Keep things grouped together for easy retrieval. Store sporting equipment in the same location, baking items, cleaning supplies, light bulbs or umbrellas. Create a specific location for these items not just for storage purposes but to also make it easier to find them.

Within each room, there are several storage solutions that immediately organize a space.

Kitchen

• Use empty plastic margarine containers or mayonnaise jars to store corn holders, bag clips, birthday candles, etc.


• Store soup mixes or spice packets in an empty tissue box or plastic lunch box.


• Outfit corner cabinets with turntable carousels or a lazy Susan to utilize hidden cabinet space.


• Mount pullout baskets and shelves on deeper cabinets.


• Add platform shelves to double the available space in larger pantries and include rotating can racks to provide more storage and accessibility.


• Maximize unused vertical space by installing pot racks or baker’s racks.


• Place a decorative crock on the counter to hold frequently used spoons, spatulas and other utensils.


• Use plastic containers to hold spice jars making it portable and easier to find the one you need.


• Install wire baskets or inserts under larger shelves.


• Include pantry shelving to the ceiling maximizing the amount of storage space and keep a step stool or small ladder available for easy access.


• Mount coffee-makers, can openers or microwaves underneath the cabinets freeing up counter space.


• House pan and container lids in plastic bins to free up cabinet space and make them easier to find.


• Hang a bulletin board or magnet board on the wall to clear up paper clutter.

Bedroom

• Store shoes in their original boxes or other labeled boxes to keep them off the floor and make them easier to locate.


• Maximize the space under the bed by placing seasonal clothing or toys in storage boxes that fit between the bed frame and the floor.


• Use a platform bed in children’s rooms to increase the amount of under the bed storage.


• Purchase furniture items that also double as storage space. Decorative benches, chests or trunks not only provide additional seating or table space but much needed storage.


• Built-in or purchased shelves provide additional space for books, clothing or toys.


• Clothes hampers can store more than just soiled clothing while creating a decorative look to the room.

Bathroom

• Shower or bath shelves provide easy access to shampoo, razors, and soap, eliminating clutter from the shower floor.


• Shelves installed above or around the toilet and vanity provides additional storage space for smaller bathrooms.


• Decorative canisters house cotton swabs, hair accessories, toothbrushes, etc., freeing up counter space and reducing clutter.


• Maximize unused corner space by installing a corner cabinet or shelves.


• Hang hooks on the back of the door for robes, towels, or bath toys.


• Decorative baskets or boxes can house linens, toiletries or magazines keeping them off countertops and floors.


• Plastic baskets, boxes and containers can be used in storage cabinets to keep items together and free up space.

Garage

• Ceiling hooks provide storage for bicycles or seasonal sporting items.


• Installing shelving from the ceiling secures infrequently used items up and out of the way in between usage.


• Mounting a peg board to one wall of the garage provides easy access and storage for a number of garden tools, building tools, paintbrushes and brooms.


• Cut open empty bleach bottles or milk cartons to house nails, nuts and bolts, screws or any small items that easily get lost.


• Built-in cabinets or wall shelves provide a significant amount of garage storage.


• Hobby and sporting racks keep sporting equipment organized and off the garage floor.

If additional storage is needed to house larger furniture items or large seasonal sporting equipment, consider freeing up the space around the house and renting a storage unit. Storage units keep the items safe and secured while eliminating everyday clutter. A number of storage units are available within your area and can quickly be found by visiting the Storage-Self Service heading on MyYP.com. For professional help with your storage needs, also search the Closet & Closet Accessories heading at MyYP.com to find local help near you.