I was working with a client this week to organize her home, when I realized something. I think this IS important, and although I hadn't really thought of it as a organizational skill before...I realize now it is one.

KNOWING WHAT TO BUY!

This individual had bought several "organizational" containers with the purpose to use them to organize her home.

However, they were big bulky tubs of plastic and they do keep your mess contained...but you still have a mess in the tub!

That is why in my laundry section, I tell you to hang up ALL the clothes. I even hang up khaki shorts, tee-shirts, etc.

I have small plastic tubs in the laundry room, one for each person, to put in socks, undies, pj's, and so forth.

When the clothes are all hung, the children can see their clothes and get what they want.

When they are in drawers, boxes, or large tubs, the children sort through everything, grabbed what they want, and usually mess up the drawer.

It is the same principle!! When an adult has a tub of papers or craft supplies they will mess up the tub of stuff while looking for one item.

I use and have used many different storage strategies. Here are a few:

In one house, on the back of a book case, we put pegboard. Then in thick plastic bags I put the crayons, scissors, markers, pens, staples, tape, etc. They were hung high enough that the small children could not reach them

The house I am in right now has a buffet with several drawers. I still keep the items in plastic bags, but they are in the drawers.

Canned goods can be hidden in armoires, buffets, closets...but build shelves that are close enough together so space is not wasted, but that you can reach to the back.

One house had built-in cabinets in the living room. That is where I kept all my canned goods. Veggies on one side. Fruits on another.

I really like shelves with doors. You can stack stuff where you can see it. Put smaller stuff in plastic tubs...but still on the shelf where you can see it. Then you can close the doors and on the outside it looks like a pretty piece of furniture.

In Houston, my laundry was in the dining room, so I went to Salvation Army and bought two large antique closets. One, we made it where you could put the laundered hanging clothes; the other had tubs for the children's clothes and a large basket on the bottom for dirty towels.

I also had two wooden hampers that had lids. One was for white clothes and one for coloreds.

For tools inside, in one house I had two drawers in a buffet. Another house, I had them in a box in a cabinet, and in this house we have them in a tool box in the laundry room.

Have a place for every thing!! Have medicines in one place. First aid stuff together. Craft stuff in one place. Office stuff in the office.

Even in your bathroom, separate stuff and have a place and container or shelf for each set of objects. Hair stuff together, make-up together.

If there is no room...find it! Is there room on the wall? Put up a hanging self? Is there room behind the door? Will a small bookshelf fit somewhere? Will an armoire fit in the room?

Also, do not go and buy new stuff. You can find beautiful, well cared-for furniture on craigslist, thrift stores, used furniture stores, garage sales, etc.

Try to see your house through new eyes. Is there space between the couch in the living room and the table in the connecting dining room? Will an antique closet look nice there? No one has to know that your plastic ware or your pasta is in there!!

Okay-- there is a second part to this!! You also have to realize that each house or apartment will ONLY hold so much stuff!!!

If you have unpacked boxes or tubs full of stuff. You have TOO MUCH stuff!!

Time to de-clutter, throw away or give away. DON"T think about it, just do it!! You will feel so much better after you do.

When you are surrounded by clutter..it clutters your mind.

Children are better behaved when there is order in their lives.

Do it for them.

Do it for your own peace of mind.