Let's face it, we all deal with clutter at some point. Even those of us who manage to have neat and tidy households have moments when there's just not enough time in the day to keep it all together. Our mantra is when in doubt, recycle, donate or throw it out!
Here are some tips to streamline the constant flow of "stuff."
Children's Toys
- Do your kids have an abundance of little stuffed animals or small toys? Purchase some cube-shaped wooden wall shelves and arrange them in groups of 4, 6 or even up to 9. Mount them lower so that kids can reach them. The shelves can serve as "clubhouses" for their stuffed animals or small action figures and are a great way to get them off the floor!
Buy big plastic tubs with lids or underbed storage tubs to group cars/trucks, Barbies, blocks, and keep out of eye's view when playtime is over.
Paper Clutter
- When mail comes, sort through it quickly. If it's junk mail, throw away or recycle immediately. Take bills or other important documents and put them near where they will be processed – next to the computer, into a tickler file or whatever system works for you. Invest in a few wicker baskets with lids and handles, so that you can put newspapers and magazines "out of sight."
Command Center
- Consider creating a "launching pad" for your family. This is the one place in the house where all purses, backpacks, family calendar go. You can also hang wall-mounted letter bins to help keep mail and other documents organized. A launching pad can consist of a wall shelf with "cubicles" and pegs for hanging, as well as a calendar hung on a nice framed corkboard.
Decorating with a Purpose
- In the kitchen: Purchase "job ticket sleeves" (modified ziploc bags can work too) which have a colored background to match your decor. Use the sleeves to slip in your shopping list, a label from something you have just run out of, or reminder notes. You can also slide in anything which strikes your fancy, including a pretty restaurant menu, labels from food containers (imported canned goods, items from Asian grocery stores, etc.). Create a gallery of the "sleeves" on your kitchen wall and rotate items whenever you tire of them.
- A serving tray which is functional for managing piles can be jazzed up for a personal touch or even a great gift. Purchase a wooden serving tray at your local hobby store and paint it. Using family photographs (originals or printed from your computer – use a high quality paper if you print your own), create a collage of your favorites. You can print all of the pictures in black and white or sepia for a consistent look. Arrange the pictures how you'd like them to appear, paying close attention to the corners. Glue all of the pictures down and position on the tray. Let the glue dry completely. Apply a layer of "plastic coating" (such as EnviroTex Lite High Gloss Finish) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Submitted by Springfield Moms writer Kari Thevenot of Your Left Hand, Virtual Assistant for her tips. Email us your favorite Sanity Savers for managing the incoming overflow and be entered into our monthly prize drawings.
