Control Clutter Chaos
Submitted by Colleen Carlson
Serena resident and Owner of Carlson Homescapes
As we zoom into 2009, I’m sure many people had big plans for organizing their homes. An organized home requires a little elbow grease to start, but having a place for everything actually can cut down on stress and might give you more time to enjoy 2009. Here are some clever tips to help you control your clutter:
Identify your clutter hot spots. Most of them are flat, bare surfaces like counters. Claim vertical wall space for clutter to hang shallow shelves, an acrylic mail collector or hooks for keys and coats. Keep it accessible but out of sight from the main living space.
In the kitchen, evaluate storage capacity for adding freestanding wire shelves to get a better view of your items and use interior cabinet doors for bulletin boards and pouches that could be used for spice packets, recipes or coupons.
In the bathroom, arrange toiletries on lazy Susan for easy access to items currently stuck at the back of the cabinets. Fill a plastic basket with holes in it in the shower to corral shampoo bottles.
If you don’t shred your mail daily, designate a drawer or basket for mail that needs to be shredded. Also, try to separate your mail immediately into categories to avoid overwhelming piles.
Create a homework zone or craft area just for the kids. Give them a drawer for art supplies and their own cabinet for all school related items. An acid-free storage box is great for this spot to collect precious artwork and other keepsakes.
When storage space is at a premium create your own. Add a closet organizer system to an existing closet and see how much more space you’ll gain. Buy inexpensive storage ottomans for magazine collections or files and tuck them under a sofa table for stylish and functional extra seating.
As you hibernate through a cold Colorado weekend, try one of these tips in your home.
Happy clutter control! For more clutter control and decorating tips, visit www.carlsonhomescapes.com.
