Organization: “A place for everything and everything in its place”

“Everything has its place and every place has its thing.”  At least that’s what I was always told and when I recently searched quotes, I realized a more common quote is “A place for everything and everything in its place”.  Regardless, they both get to the point.  Ask yourself, does everything in my home have a “place” where it belongs.  Recently when working with a client, I asked “where does this belong?”  By the silence that ensued it was apparent that this item which had been living on a counter didn’t have a home.  It was taking up space, adding visual clutter, and was homeless.

When evaluating your own home, ask yourself:

Are items stored close to where they are used?  Think utility and function over form.  For example, do your gift items have a place, and is it near the wrapping paper?  Many of us buy presents ahead of time for that critical moment when you realize you need a hostess or birthday gift for the party you are supposed to be at in fifteen minutes.  I keep children’s birthday presents and hostess gifts in a blanket chest along with wrapping paper, tape, scissors so it is a quick fix in a pinch.  Or, are your 2nd floor bathroom cleaning supplies stored in a bathroom cupboard instead of in the laundry room?  If you have appropriate storage, having antibacterial wipes and a few other cleaning supplies in every bathroom makes life easier.

Are items scattered all over the house or are your batteries all sorted and grouped together so you know where to find them?  Are your games all together in a game closet?  Are your ink cartridges, paper, and labels for the printer stored conveniently next to the printer?  All pet supplies together?  Do you have a trash basket in every room?  Is there a basket at the bottom of the stairs which you can put items in to make the trip upstairs at some point later?  Do you have a place for incoming mail, catalogs to read at a later point, action items etc.

Do you have a specific spot where you group tasks:

• dry cleaning bag set up that you consistently add to throughout the week
• bin with items that you want to bring on vacation or to your second home
• clothes that need to be brought to the tailor
• clothes to be donated
• library returns
• packages to be mailed

In short, evaluate your storage space and think if it is functional.  By doing so, you will find that you have a place for everything and yes, everything will be in its place.

*Image of basket from organizeit.com