Tag: getting organized

How to Store Your Off-Season Stuff

Posted on by Jordank

If you live in an area where the #seasons change, you probably have multiple wardrobes based on the outdoor temperature: shorts and T-shirts for #summer, corduroys and coats for winter, and multiple layers for everything in-between. That demands a lot of #storage #space.

If you’re a person who is blessed with giant walk-in #closets dedicated to different seasons, you won’t have any concerns. But in terms of #clutter, it never hurts to pare the #wardrobe down to the things you actually wear and have them at the ready when the weather dictates.

Many of us perform a biannual swapout to prepare for the new season — or at least we should. Otherwise, you’ll need to sort through your swimwear in order to find your favorite sweater, and vice-versa. Take advantage of the change in seasons to #organize and edit your #clothing.

“Before you put anything in storage, you must take stock of your current off-season inventory,” says The Home Edit. “Editing will give you the opportunity to reevaluate your wardrobe to clear space and start fresh.”

Set aside anything that doesn’t fit, doesn’t fit quite right or fits uncomfortably. Set aside any items you haven’t worn in more than a year. Now’s the best time to get rid of any summer #clothes that didn’t get worn since the season and what you wore is fresh in your mind.

Next, sort the #stuff you want to wear during the #fall and #winter into the easiest-access #storage real estate — those shelves, hangers and hooks that you see as soon as you open the closet door. Do the same edit on the incoming fall goods, setting aside anything you can’t envision wearing.

Store the off-season “keepers” separately from the incoming season’s must-haves. That might mean a high shelf, under the bed or in the basement; just try to make sure those garments are protected from moisture, mold, mildew and insects.

Finally, bag your lightly used set-asides and #donate them to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a #free #donation #pickup. Any damaged or stained garments can be thrown directly into the trash or shredded into rags.

#Streamlining clothing storage with the change of seasons will pay off by keeping your drawers and closets #clutter-free. What’s more, you’ll save lots of time by being able to find what you want to wear when you want to wear it, all season long.

How to Organize a Great Garden

Posted on by Jordank

Your area has likely seen its final frost, and if you’re anything like the folks at The Organizing Blog, you’re just itching to start a garden — either to take advantage of delicious, healthy fresh produce at low prices or to improve the beauty of your home’s outdoor spaces.

#Organizing your tools and planting supplies is the first step to an #clutter-free garden, says Lovely Greens: “Start sorting your shed, garage and garden of everything that’s standing in the way of the garden you want” by tapping the KonMari method to #declutter and prepare.

Then, visualize your ideal garden. Yours might have rows and rows of tomatoes, peppers and other crops, it might have rose bushes and ivy, or it might have an assortment of native perennials that flower and pop throughout the year.

Consider the site, Almanac says. Sunny spots work better for the majority of crops and plants (many vegetables benefit from six to eight hours of daylight every day), but you have options for shaded areas, too. Sketch out the plots on a sheet of paper or try a garden planning app.

Dedicate beds to “families” of crops. Alliums (chive, garlic, leeks, onions, etc.) can go in a bed together; squashes, melons and cucumbers in another. Remember that some plants may need support structures or protection against pests and include those in your plan.

Now for the fun part: Pick out what you want to plant. In a food-oriented garden, that means crops you’ll use and enjoy. Whatever you grow will taste better than the commercially grown, store-bought version, but  there’s no reason to grow cilantro if you think it tastes like soap.

In a flower garden, that means designing for visual impact, varying heights and colors to lend visual interest throughout the year. Fill in those empty-looking spaces but don’t crowd plants and give your garden some height by mixing low-lying plants with taller varieties.

Pay special attention to perennials whether you’re planning a vegetable or flower garden. These plants need a dedicated space where they can thrive with routine maintenance year after year; get their placement right the first time.

A well #organized garden can provide higher yields and greater visual impact. Before you start digging, have a plan in mind — and you’ll soon enjoy the fruits of your labor on the table and around the house.

National Get Organized Day Is Finally Here

Posted on by Jordank

National Get Organized Day is finally here! It’s a great day to start or continue your #spring #cleaning and cut the #clutter for good. Make the most of the day by starting with a plan, says the Network of Enlightened Women, and tackle an easy task first. As your momentum builds, purge anything you no longer use from your closets, shelves and drawers, setting aside any still-useful items to #donate. Schedule a pickup with ClothingDonations.org and #reorganize the things you still need, want and use by giving them a “home” in the places that make sense. #NationalGetOrganizedDay

Think Like a Chef to Get Organized

Posted on by Jordank

Think like a chef to get #organized on National Get Organized Day, April 26, Calendar.com says. Mise-en-place (French for “put in place”) originally described how professional chefs arrange their tools and ingredients, but it has expanded to become a lifestyle practice that helps manage the materials and mindset needed to create complex dishes in a hectic work environment. Give your tools a home and center yourself. “It’s a way of concentrating your mind to only focus on the aspects you need to be working on at that moment [and] rid yourself of distractions,” said a student at the Culinary Institute of America. #NationalGetOrganizedDay

Get Organized, One Messy Space at a Time

Posted on by Jordank

It’s easy to celebrate official National Get Organized Day on Friday, April 26 or another day of your choosing. Start by #decluttering a messy space — it might be a drawer, shelf, closet or an entire room. Empty the space out and survey its contents. If you haven’t used something for a year, you probably don’t need it anymore. Dust or #clean the space if necessary, and put the things you do use regularly back in a tidy, more #organized fashion. Then, bag/box and #donate any usable leftover #stuff to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a free #donation #pickup at your convenience. #NationalGetOrganizedDay