Local mural by @meganlingerfelt.
Spring is in full swing! This is a great time of year to focus on getting your home organized, but even if you only have 10 minutes - here’s what you can get done today. Just spend 10 minutes on each area and see what progress you make! We’ve put together a little punch list of places to tend to that you might not have thought of… so here’s your 10 Minute Organizing Challenge:
INBOX
You don’t have to get all of your inboxes down to zero, but you can clear some clutter with just a little effort. Mark a bunch of advertisement emails as read or drag them to a “Later” folder that way they aren’t taking up space in your brain or main inbox. We often recommend creating a separate email address that you use for all store loyalty and advertising email lists. Or if you can, turn your email app notifications off so and schedule/block time each day to tend to your inbox instead of reacting to each incoming email.
PURSE
There is no shame in the mysterious items that end up in our purses, bags, or backpacks. Make sure to discard all trash (and we suggest you only keep receipts that you may need for returns) that has accumulated. Use zip pouches and cases to keep items organized and protected.
BOOKMARKS BAR
Are you an ambitious “bookmarker” who saves lots and lots of links that you mean to make time to read? If so, that’s ok! We recommend creating folders to keep those links organized and to remove them once they have been read and are no longer needed.
CAR GLOVE COMPARTMENT
This is an often overlooked spot where random items get stuffed. Bring a trash bag to the car and get ready to clear it out! If there are coupons or automotive records necessary to keep in the car - put them in a folder or gallon size ziploc bag. Having a little emergency kit on hand is a good idea, consider: bandaids, hand sanitizer, fingernail clippers, hair ties, etc.
PHONE CAMERA ROLL
We love having a gallery of memories & snapshots of people we love right in the palm of our hands, but it can get a little out of control. There’s no way we can realistically and practically enjoy thousands of thousands of photos on our phones. We recommend using Google Photos cloud storage so that all of your photos are saved somewhere, but don’t have to stay in your phone gallery. Create a few folders of favorites. Take a few minutes to delete duplicate photos of the same content.
What are other areas you can organize that require minimal effort & a short amount of time?
Do you have a larger organizing project you’d like our help with? No job is too large or too small & we can always start somewhere.
Whether you consider yourself a sentimental person or not, you may be surprised at the attachment and connection to a special possession in your home. Over time your appreciation may change as time goes on. We’re sharing a few real examples of sentimental items we’ve encountered as well as some ideas for how to approach them.
Outdoor games, sports equipment, bikes, chalk, bubbles, and water toys are all about providing fun. Storage of and access to these items should be simple and straightforward, how it looks is far less important than how it works for your family and your space. Here are 5 simple solutions for outdoor toy organization.
Before you know it, these chilly days will give way to Spring. Are you ready to open your home to guests, loved ones, or friends this season? Welcoming others into your home doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. Here are a few tips to help you prepare before hosting & ways to enjoy a gathering in your home.
For us, it’s not about perfectly color coordinated closets or fancy bins and labels… it’s about tending to what you have. As professional organizers of course we love order and simplicity, but what we hope sets us apart is the way we listen to our clients unique needs/desires/preferences so that we can empower them to actually live well in their home.
Here we are nearing the end of January, and it’s not too late! For what? To make subtle shifts to our systems, tweak your habits, and practice letting go of excess. We can approach this new year with a fresh start while still being kind to ourselves and our homes.
If you are looking for a digital way to organize your brain and keep plans, recipes, lists, etc. in one place - Google Sheets may be a great tool for you! We’re sharing a few ways you can streamline your holiday plans and preparations by utilizing their online collaborative spreadsheets.
As professional organizers, our brains are trained to approach items in groups/categories. So instead of just focusing on sheets or tablecloths separately, we are going to focus on all of your linens with the goal of a seasonal refresh.
If you dread looking in your closet—whether it’s choosing what to wear or putting away clean clothes—this fall is the perfect season to make a change!
We are so excited to share with you today: Narrative Photo Organizing. Trish pours her heart and expertise into helping folks preserve and enjoy a lifetime of memories.
If you’re not heading out of town for a trip during Knox County fall break, you will likely be spending a little more time than normal at home this week. We’ve put together some fun and creative ways to involve your kiddos in the organizing process at home.
I don't know about you but one thing I can really appreciate is a well thought out guest room. It's amazing how the little things can make such a huge difference in whether a stay is memorable in a good way or a bad one. We have come up with a list of our top tips in creating the ideal space for guests and we would love to share them with you.
After you’ve done the work of deciding what items to let go of, it’s important to make a wise decision about where to donate your items. We are always eager to fulfill our clients specific wishes on where certain items are donated, when they have an organization or place in mind. Today we’re sharing a few local donation spots you might not know about!
Whether you have a grand foyer or a tiny little makeshift “mudroom”, the entryway of your home is the very first impression of all who enter it. This space sets the tone for the rest of your home. Here are some tips to use your space well & keep it organized with the right products.
The “right” way to set up a kitchen is to make it functional for YOU and how you use it. When tackling the spices the two key factors are access & visibility so that you can get what you need when you need it. One of the best things we can recommend is investing in uniform containers. This isn’t always required, but will be a huge help if you want to take your spice storage to the next level.
Lauren Wilson, LMSW BA shares her wisdom - The ongoing struggle for peace and order at home is a familiar one. Many of us are feeling swamped by the demands of life and messy homes can be a side effect. There is a connection from our home to the mind and body - a disorganized living space can negatively impact your sense of emotional well-being.
What once carried delicious snacks, meat, cookies, and wine - is now full of thoughtfully selected and folded toddler girl dresses and shoes. Ahhh, the wonder of passed down treasures! The gift of well cared for handmedowns is such a meaningful one.
If getting out the door (with everything you need on time) is a struggle for you, you’re in good company! Our days and lives can be busy and fast paced, so as we approach the “back to school” season and shift to Fall we wanted to share a few ways to help you get out the door.
Whether you are hosting friends over the weekend of family for a longer visit to your home, we’ve put together some tips to help you prepare your home for overnight guests.