Every person, and by extension every household, is different. Duh! We all know that, right?
But, have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Why don’t they just do it the RIGHT way?” That right way being what works for you.
This thought pattern is exactly what an organizer has to guard against! There is no one size fits all solution to clutter, storage, or containing stuff.
That is why it is essential to work with a client within the framework of his/her habits and preferences. After the owner decides what to give away or toss, the choice remains – how to contain and store the keepers.
Thankfully, we have more choices than ever on furnishings and storage units. Conversely, with so many options, it can be difficult to make a decision.
Two universal principles in organizing are:
- Assign a home to every object/paper
- Store items close to where they are most used
With these general principles in mind, there are a few questions that can help you think through where and how you will store your treasures:
- Where do I typically use this item?
- When and how often do I use it?
- Do I want this item stored with or near similar items I often use with it? [example: wrapping paper, scissors, tape, and ribbon]
- How essential is it that I have easy access to this item?
- What is problematic about where I currently keep this item?
- Even if my current storage system for this item is not ideal, what was the appeal about having it in this spot?
These questions will pinpoint your current habits. You will find it much easier to maintain a storage system that is customized for YOU!
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