Stop the Insanity: Disorganization
Evolving Trends
First let’s begin by identifying bad habits that cause us to get disorganized. These are common in every household; in fact, almost every family I have worked with has had them and faced similar challenges when it came to managing home organization. Rest assured, you are not alone. The first bad habit is holding on to older items even though they have been replaced with new updated models. For example, replacing a kitchen blender for a new one with the latest blade technology or new color and design, even though the old one works fine. However, instead of getting rid of the old model, you keep both. Keeping duplicates is a bad habit. When you bring home a new item, get rid of the replaced item. You cannot keep an efficient, well-organized home if you continually accumulate and store unused or replaced household goods. The second bad habit in disorganization is managing the constant influx of paper that enters the home daily, such as bills, receipts, junk mail, school assignments, work files and seasonal greeting cards. Paperwork quickly accumulates and becomes overwhelming. Controlling paper in the home deserves its own management system. Nearly all financial institutions and service-related businesses offer paperless options or accept web payments. Sign up to go paperless and not only will you save a lot of trees, but you’ll reduce your weekly paper pile significantly. Develop a consistent and effortless system for managing paper as it enters the home. Select one area, such as the office or kitchen, to be the paper workstation. Find a suitable decorative box or basket to sort incoming paper. Keep a trash bin and paper shredder nearby. Choose a time that will work well for you daily and tackle the paper pile. Keep only what is needed. Enjoy your cards and other interesting items by sharing them with the family during dinner or when everyone is gathered together. After sharing, throw them out. Tomorrow is another day, and more is on the way. Keep a second box or container for the daily “keepers.” At the end of the week, empty this container by sorting and filing these documents away. Practice makes perfect and managing the paper pile will soon become an automatic and efficient part of your daily routine. There are also some really cool desktop scanning systems available for filing, sorting and storing important records digitally. Most of these systems are compatible with financial and tax software programs. These programs also offer keyword search options so you can quickly access a record, receipt or recipe without having to search through all of the folders stored on your computer. Say goodbye to all those envelopes full of receipts, warranty records and the shoebox of recipes you’ve torn out of magazines over the years.
How do you manage that internal desire that drives you to constantly change décor with the latest home fashion trends? As with apparel fashions, new trends in home fashions propel the latest interior designs and styles; however, they also change so fast you can hardly keep up with them. Just when you think you’ve completed the rich brown and blue master bedroom collection, here comes a new design trend that features a white palette with pops of purple. Changing out furnishings seasonally can get expensive, so be selective when choosing higher-priced home furnishings and décor. Choose neutral-based colors for all your basic furnishings such as bedding, draperies, area rugs and upholstered furniture. If that sounds boring, think again. When your basic furnishings have neutral palettes, it is easier for style to evolve with new trends. It is also far less expensive to change out small accents and décor such as throw pillows and lamp shades, than sofas, chairs or tables. To achieve that designer look on a budget, try shopping online for deals, hitting the big box stores, or even flea markets for unique items that can add a little flair to your space without breaking the bank. Remember the first bad habit, accumulating replaced items? Donate all of your outdated décor and furnishings and resist the urge to store unneeded and replaced items in storage containers. Not only are plastic storage containers expensive, they also take up a lot of space in the attic, closet and garage. Host an annual garage sale, or donate all your items to a local thrift shop. You’ll feel good knowing your items will be used again or go to someone in need. And your generosity will not go unrewarded — you’ll receive a donation tax receipt for your items that you can use as a deduction on your federal taxes.
Professional tips, tricks and secrets Now that you’ve become an organizing expert, start decorating like a pro. As a certified interior decorator, let me share a few of the most important rules I follow. Choose one room at a time and stay focused on that one room from start to finish. Often updating a space turns into multiple spaces and, as a result, none of them ever get completed. Remember, one space at a time.
So many colors...where to begin? Consider the purpose of the space first. Is it a getaway, relaxation haven, a fun place for children, or the hub of family activities? There are literally millions of color choices available and this can be overwhelming. However, it’s easy to narrow down the choices if you understand the theories about color and the moods they inspire. For example, red is a color that portrays power and achievement and creates excitement; therefore, it may not be the best color choice for a space where you retreat for relaxation. Blues on the other hand, are symbolic of the sea and sky, both of which create a soothing sense of peace and relaxation. Know your space and how you wish to use it, then choose your color.
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APRIL 2014 TEX APPEAL