Neat vs. Organized: Not the Same Thing
Have you ever felt that although your home may look perfectly neat, if someone asked you
where the flashlight was you you’d have to check five maybe six locations before finding it?
There is a difference between a neat home and an organized home. An organized home requires an intentional and logical plan of where everything belongs. Neat looks nice, but organized works right. Even your “junk drawer,” which typically looks like a mess, should be set up with a plan and contain zones and categories so everyone in your household can easily find what they need instead of spending time looking for things.
People who live in neat homes are not always the obvious candidates for organization because they may not feel like they have a problem, but organization in conjunction with their neat tendencies can really change their lives.
So how do you begin going from a neat person to an organized person? Here are a few steps to get you started.
1. Work on only one room at a time. One of the most important strategies when organizing is to not completely overwhelm yourself by making a mess in every room. You will have a sense of accomplishment when you start in one area of your home and finish it in a reasonable time frame. A cloat closet, bathroom, or even a drawer are great to start with because there is typically a lot you can edit quickly and you will see a visible difference immediately.
2. Editing. This step is just as important as figuring out where everything will go. I know you have heard it a million times, but there is no use holding onto items that don’t fit, that you don’t wear, or are expired. Are you a fan of “clean” makeup? Clean makeup is a trend right now, but cream products start to go bad after six months. The sniff test is a great way to see if your makeup is still good. If it smells like play-doh, it is time to get rid of it.
3. Embrace a motto or mantra that works for you. A few years ago Marie Kondo became a big name in home organization with her now famous motto, “does it bring you joy?” This one really works for me. If a piece of clothing, a kitchen item, even books aren’t bringing me joy I will donate them. I also keep this mantra in mind.... “the money has already been spent.” It's not coming back to my bank account by holding onto an item I don’t use. Donating an item doesn’t take anything away from me that isn’t already gone. What I get it extra space and the joy of knowing that my once-loved items might make someone else happy.
4. Enlist the help of a friend. Do you have a friend that also wants to re-do an area of their home? Not only will each of your jobs go faster but it will be more fun and you won't feel burned out. A true friend will also help you get rid of items that are out of style or don’t fit properly. We work with the view that “two heads are better than one” and this can work for you as well. Start the day with coffee drinks to get you going, and celebrate your work at the end of the day with a cocktail!
5. Inexpensive space savers can kick-start an organizing project. The closet is typically an area of stress for most of our clients. Our first order of business is always matching hangers. Matching hangers brings a quick, easy sense of unity to your closet. There are some truly gorgeous hangers available, but one of our favorites is inexpensive and easily available. Flocked hangers are available at Target, Costco, even HomeGoods. They lay flat against each other and are surprising savers of space in your closet.
Still feel like you need help? Enlisting the help of a professional organizer is similar to investing in landscaping for your home. There is a cost involved but it is an investment in your home that will last for years to come and allow you to truly enjoy your home knowing there is space for everything and you actually know where that pesky flashlight is located. You can call us for help: 239-331-9430 or submit an online inquiry.
