Organization Hacks: Over 350 Simple Solutions to Organize Your Home in No Time! PDF
Preview Organization Hacks: Over 350 Simple Solutions to Organize Your Home in No Time!
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CONTENTS Introduction How to Get Started 01 BEDROOMS AND CLOSETS Closets Dressers, Drawers, and Other Bedroom Storage Beds and Nightstands 02 KITCHEN AND DINING Countertops Cabinets, Drawers, and Islands Refrigerators and Other Appliances Pantry and Food Storage Dining Room 03 BATHROOMS Countertops, Sinks, and Vanities Toiletries and Personal Care Products Showers, Bathtubs, and Towels 04 LIVING ROOM, ENTRYWAY, AND MEDIA Living Rooms Entryways Media 05 WORKSPACES, TECHNOLOGY, AND PAPERS Office Organization Arts and Crafts Supplies Technology and Cords Files, Papers, and Photos 06 KIDS’ ROOMS AND TOYS Clothing and Accessories Toys Art, Books, and Games Babies and Preschoolers 07 UTILITY AND STORAGE SPACES Laundry Room Garage Attic and Basement 08 EVERYTHING ELSE Travel Vehicles Moving Seasonal Holidays US/Metric Conversion Chart About the Author Index For my tribe, Abby, Ben, and Casey . . . for more reasons than could ever fit on this page. INTRODUCTION Imagine your perfect life: You have more time for the things you love. You have a little extra money in your pocket. There’s less stress in your life. There isn’t nearly as much chaos swirling around you as there seems to be now. While you might not achieve perfection, the organization hacks in this book can help make all these wishes come true. You’ll save time by quickly finding any item you need; be more efficient when deciding what to wear each day; spend less money replacing lost or improperly stored items; and enjoy a calmer, more peaceful environment once you ditch the clutter and chaos. Throughout this book, you will find three types of hacks: the short hack, the DIY project, and the list. The short hacks in each chapter are simple ideas that quickly solve a problem. One or two of these hacks alone may not do much, but as you implement more of these and begin getting into an organized mindset, the benefits will quickly add up. The DIY projects are more in depth than the hacks and can be tweaked to fit different rooms and spaces. Each DIY project should be able to be completed in under three hours, with most of them taking far less time. Finally, the lists shine a spotlight on several ways to hack a featured item or several ways to tackle a specific problem. Use these lists to find the tip that works best for you, to brainstorm the best way to execute an organization hack, or to come up with your own unique use for handy items. Each person is different, which means there’s not a “one-size- fits-all” method of organizing. To that end, you may notice several hacks to choose from that are focused on one common organization problem. Sometimes you want a quick fix; other times you don’t mind taking on a larger DIY project. Choose the one that best fits your schedule, habits, and routine. Combined, this format of short hacks, DIY projects, and lists that are tailored specifically to each area of your home provides one powerhouse of an organization plan! HOW TO GET STARTED Laying the groundwork for organizing is almost as important as the actual projects. Before you begin, ensure success by taking a moment to set your organizing vision, review the list of basic organizing necessities, and learn the Ten Commandments of Organizing. Each one is important, but together they create a framework that will help you set yourself up for continued success. The first thing you want to do is to consider the end goal. Take a moment and jot down why you want to get organized. What does an organized home look like to you? What does it feel like? What will happen when you get organized? Considering these questions is important; these reasons will give you a clear goal to work toward and a reminder of the end goal when you’re in the thick of it. Organization comes from having a clear and executable plan. Once you’ve laid out your goals, you’re ready to begin to gather supplies. General Organizing Supplies Now that you’re in the right mindset to get organized, let’s get everything you need to be successful. As a rule, it’s best to sort first and determine your needs before buying any new products for organizing. However, there are a few basic supplies that you should have on hand before you begin, including: ❑ Camera or smartphone for taking photos of important papers and/or kids’ art ❑ Cleaning wipes ❑ Cordless drill ❑ Set of general purpose drill and driver bits ❑ Hammer ❑ Hot glue gun ❑ 1 package of 50 hot glue sticks ❑ Labels ❑ Label maker with label tape ❑ Level ❑ Measuring tape ❑ Pencil ❑ 1 box each of snack-, sandwich-, quart-, and gallon-sized plastic zip-top bags ❑ 1 (1.88" × 60") roll of painter’s tape ❑ Post-it notes ❑ Ruler ❑ Scissors ❑ 1 package (1") screws ❑ 1 package (2") screws ❑ 1 black Sharpie marker ❑ Stud finder ❑ 1 box kitchen-sized white trash bags Place them in a basket or caddy that you can carry from room to room so they’re always within reach when needed. Store it in the same place at the end of each organizing session so that you can quickly find it each time you’re ready to start again. Those basic supplies and the hacks in this book are pretty much all you need to create an organization system that works for you! The Ten Commandments of Organizing There are a few basic principles—you may even want to call them “commandments”—you need to know before jumping into organizing your home. Read them, do them, live them. Consider photocopying this information and pinning it to a bulletin board. Each time you start to organize, reread it until it sinks in. Once
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