We all know that the holiday not only brings shopping, fun, family, friends, and lots of food - but the holidays always bring extra stuff into our homes. If you are like me and have a smaller house, you may wonder where you are going to store all of these new and wonderful things - especially if you are short on storage.
Here are some tips on organizing after a new load has been brought in.
Now is a good time to purge! Take one room at a time so you can retain your focus and get the room completely done. Get three boxes or totes and mark them (with a piece of paper) with the following categories:
When you have sorted through the items in that room, remove the two boxes labeled 'to donate' and 'Broken/Missing Pieces'. Now you have the items you intend on keeping in that space to work with. Continue this process with each room you feel has too much space.
Remember to take the items to donate once you have determined what it going. Make sure and do the same with the items that are being recycled or trashed.
Storage Pieces. Anything you can think of can become functional storage pieces. I personally like things that can be up-cycled, made from modular furniture, and are multi-purpose. For example, I have a vintage, short pop bottle crate that my husband picked up for me at a flea market that I have turned into storage for our Wii games and controllers. Not only do they fit perfectly sideways, but the piece is unique. It is multi-purpose meaning that it can be used for many different things and it is modular because it can be moved or reconfigured. Larger crates from a craft store (or ones from milk deliveries back in the day) are what I also like to use in place of book shelves. You have the ability to paint them, stain them, and design your storage shelves on your mood. Check out my Pinterest for these ideas and others: https://www.pinterest.com/sorenagilkinsonrealestateagent/upcycled-re-loved/. Things like mason jars can be used for pens, q-tips, staples, hair ties, etc. Check out my organized home board here: https://www.pinterest.com/sorenagilkinsonrealestateagent/an-organized-home/
Put things into storage. Storage may be a garage, a shed, a basement, or an off-site storage unit. We have a small house, so storage in it is very limited and we keep everything extra in our garage.
What do you have If you have that you use only once or even a few times per year? Can they be put into storage? How do you store them? Boxes are great - but they can get damp and things inside can get broken and or ruined. Things get dusty and moldy or covered in mildew or animals can get into them if they are not in a house. Invest in some clear totes with locking lids and tote labels (or make your own and protect them in sheet protectors). Having clear totes allows you to see what you have and having them labeled allows you to know exactly what is in them. Having locking lids ensures that the lids will stay on them and things stay out. Keep your storage area tidy and organized as well and you will feel so good about your seasonal items. Organize your items how you would use them (Easter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Christmas, winter, etc.)
Re-arrange the furniture. Most furniture may have the ability to function in different rooms or different ways. Take an inventory of what you have and see if you can move them helping you in your organizing endeavors.
Want some help organizing your space? Feel free to reach out to me at sorena.gilkinson@era.com or www.athomeinmayville.com.
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