Creating Entryway Bliss ~ Begin at the Door.

Consider your entryway as setting the tone for how you want to feel when you step inside your home.  Whether you're leaving for the day or walking into the house after a long day, embrace your entryway. Make it "entrancing" regardless of the size, allowing you to pause and reflect on the day you are beginning or ending. Bring into that space organization, function, simplicity and most important incorporate objects you love. Here are some ways to get started with examples from my own entryway.

When you walk into my home you are immediately faced with our coat closet, within a small entryway. This beautiful wooden plaque above the closet was given to us by friends when my husband and I returned from our honeymoon. I couldn't think of a better place to display it. Think in terms of objects that are inspiring and uplifting when deciding which pieces will function well in the entrance. Consider quotes you love or messages that will inspire you throughout your day. As you enter our living room just around the corner, which is to be considered the more personal space, I have a collage of my favorite photos. Note the importance of simplicity and clearing away clutter within your entryway.

Making this small entryway functional and clutter free was as simple as getting it down to only the necessities. The leather storage ottoman below the lamp holds my husband's shoes, and doubles as a seat. Inside our closet I added the storage bins and labeled them his and hers. During the winter months hats and gloves are stored away in the bins. If you have a large family creating a bin for each family member is a great way to keep items from becoming lost, or consider an over the door organizer to personalize. If you have limited space it's always best to change out the closet through the seasons which will help curb clutter.

Hanging your keys from a key holder is one of the best ways to avoid losing them and will save you time when running out the door. This can be placed near the entrance or within an entryway closet.













An entryway that is cluttered and blocked will cause psychological blocking. Start with your entrance to unblock yourself mentally and begin your day feeling refreshed and ready. Allow yourself and others to feel good when walking into your home and allow that energy to flow throughout the whole house.

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Inspiration to Create a Perfectly Organized Closet

Consider this a photo recap of just a few of my projects from 2012, with the intention to allow you to become inspired within your own homes beginning with the closet. Always remember your space is a part of your life and journey, meant to tell a story about yourself and those you share your home with. Every piece counts. Creating simplicity, organization and getting creative with incorporating the things you love into that space is so important! Maybe you are considering installing new shelving systems, similar to those pictured on the left. Maybe you're just starting the purging process or strolling through stores looking into options for becoming better organized. Regardless of the inspiration you find keep one thing in mind- keep it simple and take it one step at a time! 

Uniform hangers will make a world of difference in your closets as well as the right baskets, bins and shoe organizers. Before heading to stores EVALUATE what you have and what you will be letting go of to determine what is needed in terms of storage. It can be overwhelming to see so many different ways to store items, however having a clear vision for your closet space depends on the time put into maximizing the space!  

Utilize space saving uniform hangers and colorize your denim as well as tops and bottoms! This is a time saver when getting dressed. 

The hanger difference! Before and after!

Before

After

Items I used to give the shelving a little boost and incorporate organization- basket and bin from Target and my favorite Martha Stewart labels from Avery.  Take the initiative to work through those sweaters, tank tops and t-shirts that are taking up shelving space!                                                                 Store them, colorized, in baskets to save yourself time. Use labels to identify the contents!
                         

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Yes you can use shelving for shoes! The shelving units shown here, in the top right photo, are from Ikea. Perfect solutions to display heels! Once the shoe boxes were gone I was able to maximize the space by using over the door shoe organizers as well as pant hangers to hang the boots. Keep it colorized and like with like to easily grab and go. 

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My Small Closet Transformation for Less Than $30! Small Closet with a Skinny Budget? Read on!

For the past 5 months I decided to donate or toss one thing every week, beginning with my closet. I had visions of myself running out of items to part with and no idea how it was going to go. Turns out the simplicity of it all has been such a great tool for zoning in on what matters. Freeing yourself of items you have no use for completely changes a room, or an entire home. Visions I had for my closet space were now possible and the idea that all of my clothing and accessories are being used is a great feeling. I had a goal in mind and feel as though I was able to achieve it. My clothing and shoes now fits perfectly well inside my armoire. The best part of it? I love the space. We all owe it to ourselves to make our favorite spaces come to life. Here's what I did to create it once I got down to the basics.

I love a blank slate. Almost like an artist, working with a blank canvas, it helps stir creativity. After removing everything from my small closet I was able to see how I would want it to function. Clutter will clutter up your head, by freeing up the space it allows creativity to flow and gives you a different perspective on your possibilities for the space.

After heading to the stores and picking up some storage solutions I was able to stay under $30. This small closet transformation was going to be created on a skinny budget! Common misconception that organization is pricey. Not true! Re-purpose items and spend $0! Or be on the lookout for storage containers that are durable and inexpensive.

Starting on the top shelf I utilized the empty space above the wire shelving for flats and accessories. Those great labels you see are actually clip on dry erase labels. If at any time I'd like to switch the contents all I have to do is erase! The white shelves you see are shoe shelves, perfect for maximizing space!

Fishing through piles of t-shirts is not fun. Having them placed in bins by color is a quick and easy way to find what you need. I used the tri fold method by simply folding the shirt in three and placed it facing up so that the fabric and color is visible. Time saver when getting dressed, and I realized I do not need anymore white long sleeved shirts!

During my donating and tossing I also zoned in on my morning routine and habits. I noticed I always am applying make-up in my room, so it made perfect sense to move the make-up from the bathroom to the bedroom closet! Creating a space that will function within you and your family's routine is another time saver. With one side of the closet empty I utilized an old book shelf we had in the basement to create an accessory/make-up area. All it took was two cork boards, some push pins and some muscle to get the book shelf up the stairs :)

Getting my costume jewelry down to only what I love was a task, but completely worth it! I used soap dishes to hold the rings and bottles to stack up the bangles. Everything is visible, separated by type and once again a time saver when deciding on the finishing touches to an outfit. 

I love these hanging organizers I picked up at Home Goods that resemble the shape of a flower! I used them for hanging extra necks. They can be used for sunglasses, scarves and bags as well. 

My make-up is stored in small compartments by category. Brushes are together, and lip gloss and mascara. The eye shadow holders you see were once used for sprinkles to decorate cakes! Re-use, re-purpose! I made sure I left some space to add in a small stool so that I can apply make-up and accessorize within the space. 

A bookshelf has so many possibilities! From holding shoes and bins of clothing to accessories I decided to use the book shelf to store my clutches, bags, bangles and earrings. The bins I picked up (for $1 each!) have separated compartments. Worked out great for the jewelry! On a side note those also work wonders for socks and undergarments!

Regardless of the space you have to work with always start by getting down to the basics. From there getting creative with how you store your items and having fun with setting up the space is the best part. I am dedicated to maintaining my new closet space and  hope I have inspired all of you to take the journey toward living with less clutter and truly enjoying the space!

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10 Truths About Getting and Staying Organized

Before I started my business Organized for Life I only knew what being organized meant to me, but I wanted to know what it meant to others. Turns out it means a number of things and having the opportunity to help others achieve it has been the best part of 2012 for me. Most importantly I have learned the truth about its positive impact when it is maintained. Here's 10 truths about getting and staying organized. Remember, maintenance is key!

1. You will need to do it your whole life. No buts about it, organization will be a major part of your life if you choose to embrace it and take it on. Whether its your home or place of employment the need for organization is always there. 

2. It must be handled in baby steps. It can easily become an overwhelming task if you are looking at an unorganized area as a whole, with the thought that it's all too much to handle. Breaking down the process into steps will allow some flow to the project. Becoming overwhelmed is only a mental block to becoming organized. Take it in baby steps, if you feel overwhelmed take a break, and you will be thrilled at your progress. 

3. Purging is a must. I cannot stress enough the importance of a good purging of your non-used items. We all have a tendency to assume we do not have enough space in our homes to accommodate what we own. Reverse the thinking! Only purchase enough to be able to accommodate the space. Purging is the first step to open up the space. Starting with the essentials will get you on your way to becoming organized. 

4. You will not miss the tangible items you have let go of, memories do not lie in the object but rather in your mind. As I sit here and write this for the last ten weeks I have donated or tossed something every week. I cannot even tell you what most of the items were. But I can tell you this- they were things hidden in the closet, buried in the basement and put away with no purpose other than to collect space. I do not miss them.  

5. Utilize the space in your home effectively. Organize items in your home based on usage. For instance kitchen items used once a year for a holiday should be stored on higher shelves. Also important to utilize the nooks and crannies in your home for storage, look for areas where you can install hooks or shelving.

6. Organization systems do not have to be expensive/Get creative. I'm sure you have heard of the Dollar Tree, everything is $1? They have some pretty fantastic storage options such as bins, over the door shoe racks, space saving hangers...the list goes on. Getting creative with what you already have is important as well. Cereal and shoe boxes work wonders when they double as storage! 

7. Always use labels. Labels give items an identity. They let others in your home know where a specific item should be placed. Use them whenever and wherever you can to maintain organization. 

8. Organize based on your family's needs. Every home is different. Different routines, schedules and size. What works for your family in terms of organization may differ from your neighbors. Make it functional for the way you live. Some homes may need toy storage in the living room while others may have more paper clutter issues. Gaining wisdom from magazines and websites is great but be sure it works for your home. 

9. Getting your family involved is important. Have them help, show them your hard work and progress, hold a family meeting. Whatever you can do to get your family involved with helping to organize will benefit your home. It is a group effort to maintain organization. Teach them where things belong, go over the areas of your home that have systems in place. Hold everyone accountable for the maintenance!

10. Live by the one in one out rule. Went shopping for another pair of black heels? If you have 4 other pairs sitting in the closet decide to donate or toss one. Slowly adding to the equation without taking away can cause clutter which then morphs into a disorganized mess. Same goes for toys, kitchen gadgets and other items in your home that do not need duplication without getting rid of something.

The benefits of becoming organized FAR outweigh the time you will spend doing it. You will find things easier thus creating more time in your life for things you enjoy doing. You will feel relaxed walking into your home, that relaxation will follow you throughout the rest of the day and night. Similar to exercising you will feel motivated to continue to maintain organization because the mental benefits are so fantastic. 

Get the picture? Organization is possible for you, your family and you deserve to have it in your life! Hoping you all find organization within your homes and lives in the New Year!

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New Year's Resolutions & Making Your Goals Count in 2013

New Years resolutions. They are filled with ideas and hopes for the things that you'd like to do differently in the New Year. They consist of eating healthier, exercising more often, getting organized or may be even taking more time for yourself. But what is really lurking in those resolutions? They are commitments you are making to yourself, or possibly others, to improve on your current lifestyle. To make changes in the areas of your life you feel may be lacking. According to an article from www.statisticbrain.com on New Year's resolutions, 45% of us make resolutions every year and 49% within that group do not follow through. So how can you make these promises to yourself more effective? Here's some ways to get started.

• Reflect on 2012 and make a list of the areas in your life that you feel need improving. Be honest with yourself about how you can realistically approach the situations. Starting off with small steps will gradually turn into big steps. Think simple and positive. Goals that will allow for personal growth and that are achievable you are more than likely to stick with. 
• Once you are done writing up your list, read it over and get specific. You want results and you want to build motivation for yourself. For instance if cleaning out the garage is on the list, this may take weeks. Brainstorm the steps involved to achieve the goal. Instead of "clean out the garage", maybe instead say "I will not accumulate more clutter in the garage and take the time to organize it over a two month period." Seems completely realistic and by setting a time limit you have challenged yourself to complete it. 
• Always finish what you started. If you're planning on exercising more often this is an on going challenge and motivator. However if you are listing projects to accomplish within your goals, always complete one before moving on to the next. Staying focused is key!
• Keep a progress report. Seeing how far you've come is one of the best ways to stay motivated. My clients love looking at before and after photos. It really resonates with them how they have improved in a certain area. When you work hard at achieving any goal in life you want to keep yourself on that path to achievement. Write down your progress, take photos and document your feelings about it. Being full digested in a goal you have set is a surefire way to see the results you are looking for!

Don't be afraid to reward yourself when you completed a goal that is important to you. I sincerely hope any goals you set for yourself in the New Year are achieved and allow you to feel even better about yourself! 

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When Memories Become Clutter, Ways to Let Go and Have the Memories Live On

We all have physical objects in our homes that tie us to a certain person, moment or life event that is important to us. They are the things that are meaningful. The memories that take us back to a certain part of our lives we may want to hold onto. However at times there can become no distinction between perceiving them as memories and how those items can begin to cause clutter in our homes. When everything becomes important then not one particular item is important. Holding onto sentimental items is not a problem until the items begin to overtake you and your home. When the distinction is lost. So how can you pin point those items that you would like to keep? Here's a few steps to be on your way and still enjoy the memories.

Pinpoint the items causing the clutter - 

Maybe you have a collection that was given to you by a loved one who has past. You may have picked up certain items in your travels. Your child's art work and school work that you can't seem to let go of. Recognize it is not the object itself, but rather the person or place it is associated with that is causing you the pain at the idea of letting it go. So how to decide what to keep? If it is causing clutter and feels chaotic in the space then you have not created any distinction between the memories and it just being clutter. Displaying with pride the items that are important to us is a great way to live in the memory, so decide to keep a portion of the collection, artwork..whatever it is that is causing the clutter. 

Deciding what to keep and what to let go of-

Are you prepared to display the items in a way that will not feel cluttered in the space? If the items are important to you there may have to be some shifting of other items to make space for displaying the memories. For instance if you have an antique dish set that means the world to you and you are considering displaying it in your china cabinet, then items already in the cabinet must come out. Space management is so important to avoid clutter. However if you are not willing to make space for the items, but would rather have them boxed up in the attic, asking yourself if you are prepared to take whatever action is needed to display them is an important part of the letting go process. Memories can become overshadowed when the items just become "stuff". Keep the memories alive and well by being respectful of the items. Display them or let go, possibly pass them onto another family member. Hoarding the items is not the same as enjoying the memories.

Ways to store the items so that do not become clutter-

Create a memory box or bin and decide what to keep. Be very honest about how many cards, letters, newspaper clippings, etc you need. Decide what will be kept and let go the of the rest. Label your bin according to the contents and do not over clutter it. Take advantage of technology. Scan photos or have videos put on cds. Creating a digital library of memories does not take up space in your home, and allows the memories to live on. Learn how to scrapbook. Share the memories through scrapbooks and build your own stories. If you have objects you are finding it hard to let go of take a photo of them and create a page dedicated to them. This will reinforce the memory and take away the physical clutter that the objects have caused. 

If memories are your clutter downfall remember that the memories will always live on even after you have let the item go. Find and decide what will become the few treasures you'd like to keep and respect the memories by displaying them with pride and affection! 

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Inspirational Quotes for Getting Organized

I'm sort of a quote junkie. I follow them on Twitter, Facebook, have them delivered to my inbox daily and post them up in my home office. Inspiring quotes, ones about love, life, doesn't matter. They have a way of making sense of things and bringing a different perspective into situations when I need it most. Today I'd like to share my favorite organizing quotes in the hopes to bring some organization inspiration into your lives. Choose your favorites, soak up the words and my hope is that they bring some insight and guidance into your lives. 

Quotes from Peter Walsh-organizational expert 

"Make room daily for your own time and space, so that you are able to open the door generously to others." 

“The things you have in your home should be beautiful and useful.  What you have in your home should be honored and respected.” 

"The stuff is like an anchor-you have to hold on to those memories because they are what has made you who you are- but you have to start putting those things in perspective so you move into life as an adult." 

Quotes from Janet Luhr-simplicity expert

"If you look at your entire house as one unit of junk, you'll never do anything because the job is too overwhelming. Take it one drawer at a time."

"Simple living is about making deliberate, thoughtful choices. The difference is that you are fully aware of why you are living your particular life, and that life is one you have chosen thoughtfully."

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