[This shot is after many hours of cleaning. I had pizza and wine to celebrate after the space was finally cleaned.]
Here's what works for me:
- Work on one tiny section at a time. (Bookshelf, drawer, etc.)
- Empty all of the space's contents into a box.
- Place only the things you use regularly back into the area, and donate what's left in the box.
Last week I did what you should never do- empty everything out of every closet and work from there. I spent the whole weekend clearing out the chaos. It's a way to get things done in a weekend, but I spent nearly the whole weekend working on it! Not fun. It's easier and faster to focus on one small section at a time.
[The living room/dining room/kitchen are spotless. Now about that bedroom...]
Anyone else organizing for the New Year? What are your tips?
oh, yes, we will be organizing the garage, trying to find a space for all of the Christmas decorations!
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky I don't have a garage or I'd fill it with "to-do" projects. I will stick to small spaces....
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love purging! I also like to give myself a little time to reminisce before I throw stuff away :D
ReplyDeleteNice wall colors!
I let myself reminisce...but not too long, because I'll put the stuff right back on the shelves!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with the colors of your walls....The rooms look very eclectic chic.....
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Lisa
Thanks for the kind words Lisa. I love my living room/dining room...when they're clean :D
ReplyDeleteSLOT88
DeleteGreat job! I keep a donate box in the garage. If I come across something I realize I don't need/want I take it out the donate box. When it's full off to Goodwill it goes. No peeking inside and taking things back out!
ReplyDeleteGo Van! I'm taking some of your motivation with me!
ReplyDeleteAmanda: I do the same thing occasionally, but with no garage I keep the box in my car's trunk. It's ready to drop off at the nearest Goodwill that way :)
ReplyDeleteBounty Huntress: Let's continue to motivate each other! We'll watch Hoarders on hulu.com :D
Hey Van, I love your living room! Vibrant and artsy! :)
ReplyDeleteIt takes me forever to organize a space, I sometimes just stares at all the clutter having no clue where to start first! Staring time is sometimes longer than actual organizing time. Haha
Elle: I feel the SAME exact way. It can take HOURS just to get started. The force preventing us from getting straight to work on organizing is mysterious...and evil!
ReplyDeleteLove the color scheme on those walls, Van. Well, I already mentioned in my post about my wishful-thinking assortment of sizes in my closet. That's at the top of the list. I really need to take your advice into mind when cleaning. I just tackle the whole damn thing and it ends up looking like the aftermath of a tornado. Then trash gets mixed with donate bags and things just up and go missing. So, first the closet. Then the dresser!
ReplyDeleteI want to organize more in 2011.
ReplyDeletevan! hi hi! i just stumbled upon your sweet little blog and couldn't help but hit the follow button! i so look forward to following your adventures in the months to come! xo
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...what a great idea to empty contents into a box. I am always at a loss with how to start organizing & it always takes so long! Good job & happy new year :)
ReplyDeleteI will be having some blog posts for organizing for the New Year, I'd love for you to link to my Organizing Mission Monday Link party!
ReplyDeleteHope to see you there.
Good job! I love to organize, so much so that you'd think I'd do it more often at home! When I'm seriously going to do it, though, I do one room at a time and don't stop until I've finished that room. I take 3 boxes labeled: keep, put back in proper place, and toss. My rule of thumb is if it goes in the toss box, it can't come out. (Toss also includes donate or sell.) The keep stuff gets tossed if it's been untouched/unused for more than a year. Some exceptions, but not many. It works for me!
ReplyDeleteJackie: My house definitely looked like the aftermath of a tornado! One day, my stuff will be neatly organized but size and color...one day...
ReplyDeleteKate: Thank you for following! Many more adventures will be documented for sure :)
Moe: I feel at loss trying to organize without a few big boxes, it makes the process so much easier. If you run out of time to finish cleaning, then the mess is contained in the box, not all over the room!
ReplyDeleteSandy: I'm off to check it out now!
ReplyDeleteLaurie: I love organizing, too! My problem is lack of time to really roll up my sleeves and do it! I'm getting serious this year!
Hi Van, Thanks for stopping by my blog! I was visiting Jax for Thanksgiving, but we lived there for almost 10 years. I love it there. I am a fan of St. Augustine too. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteGood job. What I think you did was great... doing one thing at a time... was great. You have to find what works for you.
ReplyDeleteYou are right...normally organizing will lead to more mess in other areas... it is kind of like a virus... it grows and makes more messes before it is cleared up.
Your space looks great!!!
Thanks for linking to my Organizing Mission Monday link party!!
I loove the colors of your walls! The green into the blue with the large, bright white trim is gorgeous!! That leather chair is awesome too!
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of cleaning and organizing for the new year. I live in a little studio apt with limited space and storage so organization is integral, otherwise I'd loose my mind in the clutter LOL
Wow your house looks cool. Love the wall color and molding.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I have actually been doing the same for the last few days and have been cleaning like crazy. It helps that I'm throwing a New Years party in a few days and I want everything to be spic and span in time for it! Good luck with your organizing!
ReplyDeleteVan, that looks so good.
ReplyDeleteLove the teal. One of my favourite colours to wear!
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