Please share your organization tips

I'm having a hard time finding a place for everything..

I'll take all the advise you have for any and every room. I don't know how we are going to handle a child when we can barely handle ourselves..

Bedroom - unfortunately I don't have any walk in closets yet and have a hard time sorting everything

do you separate work and weekend clothes
how do you store all the shoes and bags for easy retrieval- I need to see everything

Home office-I'm clueless and this tax season proved we need a better system

Re: Please share your organization tips

well, we have a shoe rack that is nailed to the back of our walk-in closet. maybe there is a hanging equivalent? it makes it much easier to find shoes.

we have filing cabinets in our office area and i have file folders labeled for EVERYTHING...health insurance, pay stubs, tax returns, etc.

ETA: Under the beds is a great place to store things! In the summer I put winter sweaters under there, and one side has all extra toiletries.

Message edited 6/2/2006 3:13:46 PM.

Re: Please share your organization tips

For the office

I got a cross cut shredder to help clear away the junk. Anything that is non-essential and or junk mail gets shredded and tossed. I shred all those credit card applications too. I don't want someone to steal my or DHs ID.

As for organization we use expandable file folders for things and sort them once a month when we pay the bills. This way it keeps the office area neat.

If you have books or things, get shelving units with doors. It makes things look neat and you have to dust less.

For the bedroom

Can you get a thing that hangs in the closet for your shoes. I have one and it is great. I really need another one since I can no longer see some of the closet floor.

I hang my clothing up by color and just mix all the seasons together. This way I use my clothes to layer and know what is in the wardrobe. But we have big walk-in closets. If that is not available, get either an armoire or dresser to fold your clothing. If that is not feasible, go through your closet and edit your wardrobe. Are you wearing everything? Can you tupperware out of season clothing? Do you have a separate storage area for luggage or a wedding gown? Is there anything other than clothing in your closet? Can you find another place in your house for those items?

Besides paper mess and clothing mess, are there any other areas that need addressing?

Re: Please share your organization tips

I put my shoes in the see through shoe boxes. I have tried the hanging things, but I don't like them. Most of my shoes are in the clear Rubbermaid-type boxes on the top shelf of my closet. The ones that I wear most often are on the floor of the closet and they all labelled on the front. I put the out of season ones all the way in the back of the closet on the floor and change them when the season changes.

I put away winter clothes in bigger Rubbermaid containers, some in the closet, some under the bed. It makes it easier for me if the only things hanging are the things I am currently wearing. I also sort my tops by color in the closet. I know it sounds anal, but if I am looking for a particular shirt, it makes it much easier to find.

We really HAVE to get a filing cabinet for our office. I had one before I got married and was much better organized. I try to open all the mail when I get it. All junk mail goes immediately into the trash, bills in a stack to pay and stuff to shred goes in another plastic shoebox to be shredded later. We have a mail basket in the living room for magazines, catalogs and things that won't get thrown out right away. I go through that about once a month and throw things away. I have a 2 drawer file box that I leave on the desk for papers that need to be filed away. I try once a week to go through that and file everything away.

Message edited 6/2/2006 3:58:21 PM.