With 2019 just underway, many of us are going strong on our New Year’s resolutions. The start of the year is the perfect time to make a change, especially when it comes to organizing the house. If you’re someone who is always wishing they had a more organized closet, office, garage, or mudroom, then now is the time to act. Make 2019 the year you get organized and stay that way for the years to come!
One of the first steps in organizing your home is to create a plan and set realistic goals. If you want to clean out your garage this year, don’t think you’re going to be able to do it all at once. Set simple goals such as decluttering unnecessary items first, then move to the next step, which could be to create more storage. This goes for every part of the house you may want to organize. Making sure that you have realistic goals and plans will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and potentially quitting.
Along with a plan, you should determine which rooms you can realistically organize and keep that way. You may need to add more storage options in a certain area in order to make sure everything has a home and you’re not leaving piles to form in your entryway or on the kitchen table. Here are some rooms and areas to consider organizing this year.
The mudroom is probably one of the most trafficked areas in your house. You’re going in and out through the space, dragging dirt and debris in from the outside. Often times the area gets unorganized when shoes, hats, and school supplies are tossed around.
When it comes to any room, the first step is to understand the space. Do you have room for everything that is currently in it? If not, take some time to declutter and put things back in their place. The problem could be that you’ve got too many things that don’t belong, causing everything to overflow, in a way.
If, after putting things in their proper place, you realize you don’t have sufficient mudroom storage, now might be the time to consider remodeling. Adding lockers to store the kids’ backpacks and coats is a great option. You might even consider adding a bench that doubles as storage. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this compact, but useful, space.
Closet storage areas are another part of the house that may need a little reorganizing. Of course, each closet has different uses. Your bedroom closet may benefit from custom laminate shelving to give it a more aesthetic appeal, but your linen closet and pantry should utilize wire shelving in order to minimize maintenance and dust and debris accumulation. But it all comes down to personal preference—you may want wire shelving in your bedroom closets, as well.
Once again, the first step when getting your closets organized is to declutter. Donate unused clothes and get rid of all of those extra soaps and shampoos in your bathroom closet. Keep only a few extra items at a time in order to keep things from piling up and becoming disorganized.
If you feel like you’ll never be able to park your car in the garage again, then you’ve come to the right place! Organizing your garage can seem overwhelming, but the end result will be extremely rewarding. Create a plan that will get you moving, and begin removing unused tools, old sports equipment, or any junk that doesn’t belong.
After you’ve decluttered, take a step back and analyze your space. Is there enough storage already in the garage, or will you need to add more? Wire shelves can be great for keeping things free of dust and debris, and can be a good spot for your winter boots to dry off.
Utilize all storage opportunities, such as your wall space and ceilings. If you have a tall ceiling, add racks that can hold storage bins for seasonal items. Hang gardening tools, sports equipment, and more on the walls. The most important thing is to avoid leaving things on the floor, as well as letting them pile up and outwards, making you unable to fit your vehicle inside. All that hard work will eventually pay off, and you’ll be left with a clean, organized place where you can park your car and store things!
If you’re ready to stay organized this year, then Harkraft can help! We have over 50 years of organizational expertise and offer solutions for every need from re-organizing your linen closet to tackling that messy garage. Contact us today for a design consultation, and we’ll help you reach your organizational goals!
