For some, it's a never ending question, however, the answer is simple: have a place for everything and keep everything in its place. If you have a clutter problem, break it down and tackle the worst zones first. For many families, those are the entry way, kitchen and family rooms (e.g., a home's high traffic and gathering areas). Once you've sorted the piles and thrown or given away what you can, here are some tips to obtaining clutter-free living in these spaces.
1. Recognize you need a holding spot for daily items: purse, wallet, keys, backpacks, shoes, sports equipment etc. Whether it's a dedicated room or a stretch of wall inside the entry door, the key is to have a place for all the things you bring in that don't need to go any farther into the house. Inventory the items you need to solve for and create easy-access storage for each near the door.
If you don't have space to group it all together, designate individual spots for each. Think out of the box to creatively use your existing space: place a large bowl on the kitchen counter to collect keys/wallet, install hooks for purses and backpacks, and use baskets to hold shoes and equipment.
2. Store things as close as possible to where you use them. The exception is for rarely used items that need to be kept. Those can be stored in an out-of-the-way spot, such as in the basement, on high shelves in the in a closet, or in the back of a corner kitchen cabinet.
3. Kitchen counter tops should hold only things you use on a daily basis. Create a designated storage spot for everything else, including small appliances.
4. The kitchen or dining table is often the place where family members spread out projects. With the right organization, it can still be ready for dining at a moment's notice. Designate a bin for whatever tends to find a temporary home on the table. This can be permanent storage or a way to move things to their rightful room.
5. Once you've cleared the table and counters, don't let side chairs and other surfaces become towers of stuff in need of a home. Track the things that stack up over a week, and find permanent places to keep them.
6. For things that need to stay, look for attractive storage containers or re-purpose a tray, bowl or basket for frequently used items.
7. If your home office is not near the entry, designate a holding space for important mail and papers.
8. Avoid jumbled messes in drawers and cupboards with dividers, bags, and caddies for frequently used items, such as silverware, utensils, lids, measuring spoons, etc, Most cabinet manufactures have good options for pullouts, shelf inserts, hooks, and other kitchen drawer organizers.
9. Whenever you buy gas, take a few minutes to throw out any trash in your car. Use a re-usable shopping bag for toting items that don't belong in the car into the house. Take the time to put them away and then place the bag near the door to return to the car.
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