You don't always need to hire a professional organizer when it comes to tackling organizing projects in your house, although we love when you do, but it's important to eliminate any chance of chaos by avoiding these costly mistakes. It's easy to push off projects or take on too many projects in your home when it comes to organizing. Most people get overwhelmed and quit and some never even get started. Below we are breaking down 5 common mistakes that you'll want to avoid doing when it comes to an organization project of your own!
1. Buying Product Before Purging
We completely get it - buying the bins and baskets is one of the best parts of organizing. It's pretty, new and fun! But, you'll save yourself time and multiple trips to the store if you wait to buy product after you purge and see what's left to reorganize. Once you've purged go through and categorize all of your items, take inventory and see exactly what styles, sizes and quantities of bins you think you will need.
2. Putting Frequently Used Items Out of Range
This is a golden rule of organizing any space. If you use the items frequently keep them in a space where it's easy to see, find and grab. That doesn't mean store everything on your counters! It simply means if you use the toaster frequently put it in a cabinet where you know it will be used and put back into that exact space. Don't store it on the top shelf of your pantry. It's something to keep in mind for the entire family. For frequently used kids items, store them lower so they're able to utilize them and put them back in their 'home'.
3. Avoiding Vertical Space
We will talk about using vertical space until the day we die. It's such an underutilized space in many homes. Vertical spaces are ideal storage spots for infrequently used items. Think seasonal items such as coolers, shovels, boots, etc. There are some incredible organization systems available that allow you to create storage space on the ceiling, which is ideal for most garages. The vertical space also allows you to maintain clear and clutter-free floors. It's amazing, and we promise you will not regret using that space!
4. Never Starting The Project
It's easy to make excuses to avoid starting the organization project. It can also be very overwhelming to think of how much stuff you have and how long it may take to finish the project. Our advice: just start, and start small. Don't rip everything out of all of the cabinets in your kitchen if you know it's going to push to you a place of running from it altogether. Start with one cabinet and remove the items, purge what needs to go and categorize what you're keeping. Then move onto the next cabinet following that same process. Before you know it, you'll have emptied and purged items you no longer want and you'll be ready to reorganize everything else. Baby. Steps. Are. Key.
5. Not Having a 'Maybe' Pile
We love decision making when it comes to keeping and tossing your items during the purge process, however it's not always that easy to give a hard yes or hard no on personal items. Welcome the 'maybe' pile. It's a great tool that helps you process through decisions when it comes to tossing and keeping. It gives permission to take time and think about whether or not you'll really use certain items. We highly recommend going through the 'maybe' pile again after purging is complete, but before the reorganizing process begins. If you still have items in the 'maybe' pile that is ok! Keep those items for a 3 month maximum. Set a calendar reminder to check these items! If you don't use them or even think about them then it's time for them to be tossed or donated. They no longer serve a purpose in your life so there's no sense in holding on to them.
Tackling organization projects on your own is not always easy, that's why we have jobs! However, if you are inclined to organize on your own remember these tips to help make the process easier on yourself! We believe you in.