Bedroom Basics
| September 14, 2021A major part of the organizing process is breaking down tasks into manageable bits
Do you find yourself wasting time looking for things you know you “just saw around here somewhere?" In this column we’ll provide effective strategies to organize key areas in your life, and share tips and tidbits that you’ll love to implement.
A major part of the organizing process is breaking down tasks into manageable bits. Let’s start with your bedroom, beginning with clothing. Gear up! Get some garbage bags handy so the things that won’t be sticking around have an easy way out and don’t hang around once you’ve made your decision to let it go.
Step #1: DECLUTTER
Make three piles: Keep, Donate, and Throw Away.
Don’t wait, get those donations and garbage into bags and out of the way ASAP so you can focus on your “keep” pile. This leads us to the next step.
Step #2: SORT
Once you’re left with the items you’re keeping, it’s a good time to take inventory of what you have and kick into high gear. Gather hangers for what needs to be hung in the closet, fold what is going in a drawer or on a shelf, and start putting things away!
Step #3: STORE
Now that you know which items you’re keeping, everything needs a permanent home. At this point in the process, you would consider choosing organizing solutions, such as containers, drawer dividers, and slim hangers.
Storage solutions are personal to your space. You might find that the reason some things made it to the floor is because your drawer space is insufficient or inefficient. In that case, you need to assess whether you can solve the problem by moving some items to another area or a container, or find a way to make the drawers work better for your needs. Always keep in mind that using as much vertical space as you can helps you maximize your space. For instance, if you have a closet with hanging items that don’t reach the bottom, that might be a perfect place to add shelving for shoes, or clothes, or a drawer system.
Simple tips to elevate your organized space:
◆ Using one type of hanger maximizes hanging space and lends to a neater overall look.
◆ Using drawer or shelf dividers helps keep your categories contained.
◆ File folding in drawers helps maximize space.
◆ Organizing isn’t about perfection, it is about efficiency.
◆ Spend less time looking for things and more time crushing your goals.
Happy organizing!
Next up: maintenance + knickknacks and sentimental items.
Miriam Yifat, LMSW is a professional organizer and licensed social worker, with many years of experience helping people organize their homes and spaces. We all have our strengths, but if organizing isn’t one of yours, she is here to help.
Miriam can be contacted through Teen Pages.
(Originally featured in Teen Pages, Issue 878)
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