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Authors: Marilyn Bohn

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Go Organize: Conquer Clutter in 3 Simple Steps (6 page)

BOOK: Go Organize: Conquer Clutter in 3 Simple Steps
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Spotlight

The Spotlight is where you will set goals for the family entry. Imagine

how you want this space to look and write this vision down. You want everything to be accessible and easy to use in order to eliminate clutter and frustration. Set goals you can achieve and maintain. Here are some realistic goals for this area:

     
  1. Make room for coats currently being worn. Come up with a solution to enable younger children to hang up their coats on their own.

  2.  
  3. Contain shoes left in the entryway.

  4.  
  5. Create a landing place for the mail and newspaper.

  6.  
  7. Assign a convenient place for your keys.

  8.  
  9. Set up a place for family members to hang their backpacks, briefcases, and purses.

 

Remember to break larger goals down into smaller steps and set deadlines for reaching your goals.

Green Light

Now that you know your needs and have set your goals, you can get to work organizing. As you set up your room to make it functional for you, categorize the spaces in it, including the closets, shelves, and open spaces. This entire entryway is premium space because you use it every day (see page 24). Keep only items in this room, or space, that you use regularly. If you do use this area to store other items, be sure you aren't using premium space to do so. Depending on the size of your home's entryway, the following ideas may or may not work for you. You can adjust them to meet your needs and your home's layout. No matter the space, the concepts are the same.

     
  1. Along a wall, place a basket, rug or reed mat for shoes. Removing dirty shoes at the door keeps floors cleaner so there is less upkeep.

  2.  
  3. A small table can hold a basket for keys, cell phones or other items. If there are young children or visitors in and out of this area, I suggest keeping these items out of their reach. Or if your table has a drawer you can put them in there. For safety's sake, make sure this area is secure so these items aren't stolen or carried away to be played with and lost.

  4.  
  5. This is the ideal place to have a cupboard, locker, cubbies, or hooks on the wall to hang coats and backpacks. Assign each family member a hook by placing labels under the hooks. Use a label maker or masking tape to make the labels. These storage items can be purchased at home decorating stores or discount stores.

  6.  
  7. Hang a key rack conveniently in the room. Having one place for keys saves time, energy, and frustration as you don't have to hunt to find your keys. If a key hook won't work for you, place a bowl or basket on a flat surface so you can toss your keys and change in it. Again, be aware of safety issues.

  8.  
  9. Create a hanging file system that is secured on a wall or use one that sits on a flat surface. This is ideal for children to place their paperwork in as they come home from school. Have a slot for you, too. Anything that needs your attention can be placed in your box and you can review it and take action later.

  10.  
  11. Include a garbage can and shredder if you are going to sort mail in this room. Use a basket to hold the mail. How to sort the mail will be discussed in depth in Chapter 11.

  12.  
  13. If this room has closet space, it may be the ideal room to store out-of-season coats, gloves, and scarves. Store small items in a basket or plastic container and keep these containers on the closet shelf. Sports equipment and clothing could be placed in labeled bins and stored in the closet as well.

  14.  
  15. An over-the-door organizer with pockets (typically used for shoes) can be used for keys, sunglasses, gloves, hats, scarves, a camera and other electronic equipment, leashes for dogs, and other miscellaneous items. The pockets can be labeled with family members' names. Reserve the lower rows for younger children. The organizer keeps things contained and convenient to grab and go when leaving the house.

 

FRONT OR FORMAL ENTRYWAY

This is the entryway your visitors use. It is where they form their first impression of your home. Creating a warm welcome that is inviting to both you and your guests is important when stepping into this space.

Searchlight

Take a look around with the Searchlight and ask yourself what is it you like and what you don't like. Be honest in your evaluation, but don't beat yourself up. As you use your Searchlight, make a list in your notebook of things that you need to change in this area. Formal entryways often have a closet. If you have a closet in your entryway, this is the place to start. What do you see when you open the closet door? Are there so many coats on the rod that it's difficult to remove a coat to wear? Are there scarves, gloves, and coats tossed on the floor? Take a picture of this area for a before-and-after comparison.

     
  1. What do you like most about the space?

  2.  
  3. What don't you like about the space? Identify needs by asking yourself these questions:

       
    1. Is the space orderly?

    2.  
    3. Are there things here you could get rid of?

    4.  
    5. Does everything have a home? (Are items contained or scattered around?)

    6.  
    7. Are you keeping only the items you use?

    8.  
    9. Are items that belong somewhere else scattered around?

    10.  
    11. Do all of the coats, shoes, gloves, and mittens in the closet fit someone in the house?

     
  4.  
  5. How did the closet get in this shape?

  6.  
  7. Rate your wattage (see page 15). On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you feel when you're in this area?

 

Spotlight

You have found things you don't like, and you want to change them and make your entryway better. With the Spotlight, set goals that will make this area warm and welcoming for family and guests. Here are some possible goals for this area:

     
  1. Make room for coats currently being worn. Donate coats you no longer use. In the future, get rid of an old coat when you buy a new one.

  2.  
  3. Purchase a container to hold the scarves, gloves, and hats.

  4.  
  5. Contain shoes left in the entryway.

  6.  
  7. Keep the table clutter-free.

  8.  
  9. Teach family members to use the “mudroom” entry so everything is in one area. Less traffic will also make the area easier to maintain.

 

Green Light

This is the fun part when you see your goals realized. You have written down your goals for this space and now you get to work on them. Sit down with your family and explain the goals for the formal entryway in your home. Get their ideas on how to keep it organized. Then get their commitment to help. Stick to your organizing goals.

Some things to consider having in the front entry are:

     
  • A mirror. It will visually make the area appear larger, and the bonus is you can check your appearance before answering the door.

  •  
  • A small table. Don't clutter it with keys, cell phones, or other items. Keep these things near your most-used entrance. If they have to be kept here, contain them in an attractive container.

  •  
  • Keep furniture to a minimum to create the look of spaciousness.

  •  
  • A shoe rack or a basket to hold shoes.

  •  
  • An umbrella stand.

Here are some more ideas that can help you organize the entryway:

     
  1. In the closet, only keep the family's dress coats, leaving enough room for guests' coats.

  2.  
  3. Store seasonal hats, gloves, and scarves in a basket and place it on the top shelf. Or store these in the family's entry room.

  4.  
  5. Keep a container near the front door or in the closet for shoes that are removed when coming in the house.

  6.  
  7. Provide a basket elsewhere in the home for the newspaper.

  8.  
  9. On the small table, place a plant or family photos and inform everyone these are the only things that are to be placed on top of the table. It is not a dumping ground or catchall for the mail, books, or other items. Limit the number of framed photos on this table to three as you don't want the table to look cluttered.

BOOK: Go Organize: Conquer Clutter in 3 Simple Steps
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