all.
INTRODUCTION
Before you read any further, I want you to think about something. What do you believe is the biggest obstacle you face when it comes to organizing your stuff? Is it …
Lack of space? According to a survey by the National Soap & Detergent Association, 80 percent of clutter in most homes is the result of disorganization, not lack of space.
Lack of time? In a 2008 poll conducted on behalf of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), 19 percent of women and 11 percent of men anticipate they’d save more than an hour each day if they were more organized, for a total of 15 days annually.
Lack of money? There’s no need to run out and spend money on fancy organizing products. Look around. See what you have that might do the trick — at least temporarily. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what you need should you decide to upgrade later. For examples of common items that can be transformed into storage solutions, look for the Out of the Box Organizers
highlighted throughout this book.
Lack of know-how? All of the suggestions in this book are based on the following seven principles of good storage. Let this quick lesson be your guide as you figure out what to do with your stuff.
1 Unclutter first.
The average U.S. home has doubled in size in the last 60 years and still we struggle to find a place for everything. Hmmm … could it be we have too much stuff? My motto is If you don’t love it or use it, lose it.
Why bother storing things you don’t use? Eliminate all the unnecessary necessities.
Get rid of duplicates. Do you really need three vegetable peelers? If you’re keeping something just in case,
ask yourself: Could I get this again pretty easily and inexpensively if I need it again someday? If the answer is yes, let it go.
And let’s face it. Everything has a life span. Chuck anything that is unusable or unfixable. Are you storing things for grown children? You may be saving things they don’t even want! Question everything.
2 Pick a space, but not just any space.
Where you store items depends on a variety of factors. First, gather everything that needs to be stored in one place so you can see how much storage space you need. Allow room for future expansion as with a music, video, or other type of collection. Store frequently used things where you use them; you’ll be more likely to put them away when you’re done.
Take temperature and humidity into account when considering storage locations. Fur, leather, and other natural fabrics, as well as candles, paper, paint, and many other items, have special storage requirements. Keep in mind that basements tend to be humid, which creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Attics and garages, on the other hand, may be too hot and dry for storing certain items.
Most important, think about safety. Always store household cleaners, prescriptions, matches, guns, knives, insecticides, paint, gasoline, and other hazardous household materials out of children’s reach, preferably in locked cabinets. Store heavy items on the floor or on lower shelves. And be sure to secure personal and financial information in a lockable filing cabinet to help deter identity
