Clean the Clutter!

If there is one thing that comes to mind when January arrives (besides DIET!), it is deciding to GET ORGANIZED! 

(Frenchwire Carousel Caddy Shown Above:  http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com)

Sounds like a great idea, especially after a couple of glasses of champagne.  Then, January 1st...no make that January 2nd (the 1st is a holiday afterall!)...comes around and you are faced with this daunting task of actually following through!!  Can't break any of your resolution vows yet, you've only just begun....(sigh!) 

Well, have no fear!  Help is here!  Finish your rigorous New Year workout, guzzle down the latest fad diet drink, and get ready to tackle the heaps of messes that lurk in your closets, in your drawers, and under your bed :)

And best of all - get EXCITED because the result will be STYLISH, ORGANIZED, and down right FABULOUS!

#1 RULE to LIVE by...LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, by this RULE!!  Oh, and did I mention you should LIVE by this RULE??? 

If you do, it will not only get you out of your current unorganized mess, but it will also PREVENT you from ever getting into this mess again...so next year you can scratch this resolution right off your list and add another oldie but goodie, like no more carbohydrates...EVER :)

SO here it is....the RULE:

When you look at every posession, ask yourself this:

If you haven't used it in a year, if it doesn't have SIGNIFICANT sentimental value, and it doesn't add EYE CATCHING BEAUTY to your home...TOSS IT!  DONATE IT! CONSIGN IT!

Use this rule not only this New Year, but throughout 2012 and forward...every time you pick up the house, open a closet, rearrange a drawer, you should use this rule.  The result will be envigorating!!

Ok, so you have sorted through all of your crap...I mean...belongings...NO LOOKING BACK NOW!  Time to actually ORGANIZE everything that made the cut :)

ORGANIZING TIPS:

1.  CONTAINERS ARE KEY!  Everything should be in bins, containers, jars, baskets, buckets!!  The only things that are not "contained" will be things you hang up (dresses, coats etc) or things that are too large to "contain" (vacuums, brooms, large play toys, appliances, your husband, etc).

2.  BE CREATIVE about your containers!  There are lots of pricey options out there - but there are also lots of affordable ones too...shop flea markets, yard sales, dollar stores and discount stores!  Dont' forget a little spray paint or scrap fabric can go a long way in improving used containers.

MY FAVORITES:

• Buckets for toys (placed on shelves or hung on the wall!)
• Fabric storage boxes from Target (square and foldable and come in many great colors!)
• Shower Caddies (hang in closet or wall, and can hold wrapping paper, gift bags, scrapping supplies, bathroom cosetics etc..)
• Glass Containers for your pretty stuff - cotton balls, ribbons, hair ties, q-tips, colorful paper clips...
• Coffee cans wrapped in decorative paper or fabric
• Flatware Trays - great for make up brushes and cosmetics or for office supplies such as staples, clips, pens and pencils
• Toothbrush Holder for your pens and pencils (there are so many pretty holders out there!!)
• Over the Door Hanging Shoe Organizer for your jewelry, or cosmetics, or kitchen items such as measuring cups, spice packs, cooking scissors etc.. 
• A basket by the entryway door to gather mail
• A rollaway cart for office supplies, wrapping supplies, bathroom supplies, or laundry supplies

3.  Don't be intimidated!  Start in one spot!!  Pick the kids toy room OR your closet OR your pantry and tackle one spot first.  FINISH IT before you tackle another spot  It will give you a sense of accomplishment and allow you to envision organization potential in other areas in your house.


Below are a few pictures to help you envision what you can do to organize!!

(Image from www.bhg.com)

ABOVE:  Placing all of these items in white glass containers unifies what could be a cluttered mess!  Placing the containers on a tray makes things seem more contained and organized!  So pretty!!

(Image from www.bhg.com)

ABOVE:  Brilliant use of an over the door shoe organizer!!  Why not organize your kitchen items in this shoe holder which can easily be cleaned and labeled and can be hidden from view behind a pantry door...but still is pretty when visable with the door open.  Love it!!  You can also put one in your bedroom to contain jewelry and hair clips and cosmetics and accessories...

(Zella Notice Board by Willow House available at http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com)

ABOVE:  One of my favorites!!  The Zella notice board!  Great for organizing pictures, invitations, fabric and paint samples, to do lists, wish lists, phone messages, order forms...the possibilities are endless and it adds STYLE to what could be CLUTTER!!  Get one for your home office, your kitchen pantry, your bedroom...

(Fiona Lattice Shelf by Willow House available at http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com)

ABOVE:  Shelving is an excellent way to ADD storage space to an underutilized wall!  The Fiona Lattice Shelves are CHIC and PRACTICAL.  Use them to organize bathroom cosmetics, make a wrapping station, contain office supplies, gather laundry supplies...again the possibilites are endless!!  Containers within the shelves makes belongings appear even cleaner and neater. 

Would love to hear what you think of these ideas and to hear of ways you have organized your home!  Please share this BLOG with a friend!!  And don't forget to check out my website for STYLE for your HOME and BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY for YOU!  http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com

Happy New Year!

Lynn :)