S.O.S. Sort. Organize. Store.
Tired of coming home to clutter? Need a serene space to call your own?
A lifetime of collecting memories and memorabilia can become overwhelming to keep and maintain. If you’re in the mood to purge, simplify and organize, this blog’s for you!
We’ve broken down the essentials for a room-by-room attack. Don’t think of it as work. Organization can be one of the most gratifying tasks you’ll tackle.
Before we start, let’s talk about “things.” For years, the design push has been minimalism, less-is-more, get rid of it. Collectors and lovers of things were seen as hoarding too much. But now there’s a swing back to embrace oddities, memorabilia and collections with an emphasis on how to display and curate them. The new “it” term is maximalism. It’s about surrounding yourself with what you love and find interesting. There’s nothing bad about loving things – collecting is a way to chronicle your life and cherish memories. Remember that as you go through your house. Purging doesn’t mean complete elimination. If you still treasure that china plate, keep it! Eclectic and interesting makes your house unlike any other.
(Read more about Maximalism)
Before we begin, make a list of the rooms you’d like to organize in order of importance. Think about where you spend the most down time and start there. Creating a retreat you love is essential. Study each room’s color scheme and style to start thinking about storage choices. Unconventional solutions like baskets and storage benches can also add a design element. Keep a notepad ready to make a shopping/supply list. (Think of ways to reuse/repurpose storage containers you may already have and note those on your supply list, too!)
Let’s go through two main rooms and organize. You can take it from there!
Just remember S.O.S. – sort, organize and store.
The Bathroom
SORT
Towels
When to Replace: Every 2-3 years
Recycle Tip: Old towels can be donated to animal shelters or cut up to use for cleaning cloths.
Toiletries
When to Replace: Makeup: Every 3 months
Lotion/Moisturizers: Every 18 months
Recycle Tip: Donate unused and unopened toiletries to a local nursing home or homeless shelter.
ORGANIZE
Towels
Stack in sets (2 bath towels and washcloths per person and 4 hand towels) for easy use.
Toiletries
Keep items used every day in a convenient basket you can pull out from a drawer or cupboard. Put away to keep counters clean and clutter-free.
STORE
Towels
Make a place that’s easy to access and has enough space for all your towels. Storing on open shelves can keep them organized, easy to grab and create more room for toiletries under the sink or in cabinets.
Tip: Rolling them looks good on an open shelf.
Toiletries
Create a toiletries “pantry” for extras and duplicates (a garage shelf, closet or laundry room cupboard can work). Keep travel-size toiletries together in a tote.
Tip: set some out with a towel set for overnight guests.
The Living Room
SORT
Magazines, Newspapers, Books
When to Purge: Magazines and newspapers should be sorted weekly. Books can be sorted bi-annually.
Recycle Tip: Donate periodicals to a local doctor’s office, shelter or nursing home. Books can be donated to the USO for overseas soldiers or leave them in a Little Free Library.
Eliminate What Doesn’t Belong
When to Purge: Picking up and putting away should be a daily chore, but let’s be honest, life gets busy! Make a trip around the room with a box and gather the “put-aways.”
ORGANIZE
Periodicals and Books
Find a stylish storage solution like baskets and decorative bins. If keeping a lot of books, invest in shelving.
Surface Clutter
Clear all the surfaces. It’s amazing what a difference looking around and having a clean slate can make. Now sort and carefully select what to put back. Create groupings if you want to display items. Three is optimum.
Collections/Photos/Memorabilia
Choose a favorite collection to feature. Maybe it’s time to eliminate some extra collectibles. Keep what makes you happy. Photos can be sorted by duplicates, to-store and to-be-framed.
Overwhelmed? Pick a Category
Sometimes the best way to start is gathering all similar things into piles. Just seeing everything together can show you how much excess or duplicates you have (pens/paper/books etc.).
STORE
Periodicals and Books
A basket or container by seating works well for what you’re reading now. If you’re a book lover, invest in shelving. Remember, a place for everything and everything has its place.
Surface Clutter
Some things will rotate seasonally. Make a room storage bin for the garage or a closet. Be sure to have a “donate” box ready.
Collections/Photos/Memorabilia
This is the fun part! Use your imagination to find ways to display your collectibles. Think shadowboxes, terrariums, apothecary jars and boxes. Raid your attic. Browse flea markets. Be inspired. Let your own personal style show and you’ll feel at home with your collections.
Find more display ideas.
Final Tip:
If you’re still having trouble purging, try this: create a “maybe” box for items you aren’t sure about donating. Store the box for a couple months. If you haven’t missed anything, it’s time to let it go.
Thank u so much it’s silly but it helps 😉