This week I’m taking time to declutter. We all have sentimental items that we cherish and want to store away, but when is it too much? And when is it clutter? Clutter is basically anything that takes up space and isn’t improving or making your life better. If you have clothing in your closet that you haven’t worn in years, piles of mail on the counter, toys in every corner or trouble finding important documents, it is time for you to think about purging and decluttering your home. For many of my clients letting go of items is the biggest hurdle when organizing their home.
Here are some guidelines and questions you should ask when determining whether to toss/recycle, donate to charity or keep:
SORT
Take one item at a time when determining to keep it or not. While sorting keep in mind that the goal is to purge and reduce the amount of stuff in your home. The best decisions are the ones made quickly.
QUESTION
If you get stuck and can’t decide what to do wit h a particular item, ask yourself clarifying questions including:
When is the last time you used this item and was it in the last year?
Is it broken, damaged or the wrong size?
Does it make you happy or have sentimental value?
Do you really need this item?
REVIEW
For many of us holding onto clutter is emotional. Our possessions reflect who we are, who we are not and who we wish to be. Emotional attachment to items is something most of us do and the primary reason people hold onto clutter. Pretty Neat suggests that if you can’t make a decision on whether or not to get rid of an item, put it in a review box for a specified period of time. When time is up, it should be easier to make the decision. I would recommend having a limit to how many items can go into the “review box.” It should only be used on very select items and as sparingly as possible. Again the goal is to reduce the clutter in your home and make it more functional and beautiful.
TOSS & RECYCLE
Much of the clutter in your home could actually be trash. Here are some items that are the most obvious to throw away and recycle whenever possible:
Junk mail, old magazines and newspapers.
Expired food, make-up and medicine. Check with your local recycling center on how and where to dispose of medications safely. If in California,CALRecycle has list of where to take sharps and medications.
Clothing that is damage, stained or ripped beyond repair .
Boxes that are damaged or no longer useful.
Broken toys, games and electronic equipment.
DONATE
An easy way to declutter your home is to donate items you don’t use, but are still in good condition. Donating to a family, friends or a local charity is a great place for used clothing, furniture, CDs/DVDs, toys, tools and so much more.
SCHEDULE
Once you have decluttered your home, the best way to keep it that way is to set up a daily and weekly maintenance sessions. Taking fifteen minutes everyday to tackle the mail, put toys away and organize the entry or mudroom. At least once a month file away papers in your inbox, organize the pantry or review your closet for pieces that could be donated.
Are you ready to conquer the clutter in your home? There is no better time than today.
Receiving Christmas cards from family and friends is one of the big highlights of the season. We collect and display ours in a vintage wicker sleigh. And we have done it this way for several years. But after researching this post for a Simplified Bee reader who asked for creative ideas for displaying holiday cards, we might have a different approach next year.
Here is a simple and elegant way to display holiday card using an existing mirror. Martha Stewart used Lametta tinsel to create three swags perfect for hanging season’s greetings.
Using a picture frame and twine, holiday greeting cards are displayed beautifully with other festive décor. Thank Country Living for this idea!
Hang Christmas cards along a fireplace mantel with twine and colorful clothes pins. So simple! DIY or purchase a kit on Folksy.
With a little ribbon crisscrossed, this cabinet becomes a wonderful place to display cards. Brilliant idea found via Living Livelier.
For an eclectic look, layer holiday cards on an existing cork board is also a great idea. This one is from Domino via Centsational Girl.
Love Kate at Centsational Girl’s corkboard turned card holder using fabric, ribbon and a little nailhead trim – just add some time and it is a simple diy project. Here’s the how to.
And here is Kate’s chain & jingle bell Christmas card display from last year. Isn’t this creative too? Here’s how she did it with even more inspiration!
Hard to believe it’s been a year, but online shelter magazine, Lonny is turning one. To celebrate the big birthday, they have released another stunning issue. Featuring design talents such as Celerie Kemble, Mary McDonald, Lulu de Kwiatkowski, John Robshaw, Palmer Weiss, Eddie Ross, Ruthie Sommers and so many more, this is a must see issue. Here are some of my favorite images…
{Fashion editor & stylist, Lauren Goodman – former fashion editor at domino}
Love this bookshelf organized by color created by stylist, Lauren Goodman’s NYC apartment. The pair of fuchsia chairs are a great compliment to the lavender carpet in the bedroom next door.
{design by Lulu de Kwiatkowski, photography by Patrick Cline, Art Direction by Michelle Adams}
In the home of LA-based interior designer, Lulu de Kwiatkowski, her Americana, beach chic and bohemian style shines through. The sunny kitchen nook is a perfect spot for breakfast, drinking tea or art with the kids.
{design by Lulu de Kwiatkowski, photography by Patrick Cline, Art Direction by Michelle Adams}
Love the textured wallpapered with gold vintage chandelier Kwiatkowski selected for this hallway. Colorful artwork, family photos and sea shells add life to an ordinary bookshelf. Go here for tips on styling a bookcase.
{design by Lulu de Kwiatkowski, photography by Patrick Cline, Art Direction by Michelle Adams}
Kwiatkowski’s home is filled with fabrics from her own collection, Lulu DK for Matouk. In this bedroom, she layers rugs for texture, color and visual emphasis on the bed. The pair of wood inlay chests and black & white artwork add an old world element and balance the modern floral bedding and geometric draperies.
It’s no secret, I am a huge John Robshaw fan. And now through December, 10, 2010 Lonny has hooked us up with a special discount. Receive a 15 discount on all online purchases of “lounge items” – Coupon code: LONNY15
{design by Palmer Weiss, photographer Patrick Cline, art direction by Michelle Adams}
As stated in the Lonny issue, San Francisco-based interior designer, Palmer Weiss “interprets her style as a mixture of classic traditionalism modernized with a relaxed West Coast vibe.” This style is expressed in the design of her own San Francisco home. In the living room, Weiss balances out the space with a mixture of pattern, finishes and period-styles. I love how Weiss decorates the fireplace mantel – simple, elegant and symmetrical. Go here for tips on decorating the fireplace mantel.
{design by Palmer Weiss, photographer Patrick Cline, art direction by Michelle Adams}
Love the nod to the San Francisco Giants with the use of orange in Weiss’ little girl’s room. Go Giants! The photos above each bed are priceless too.
Dream closet! Love, love this stunning walk-in closet in Celerie Kemble’s New York City 27th floor apartment. The black & white basket weave tile floor is beautiful with the back cabinetry.
To see more gorgeous images, visit Lonny here. Happy Birthday Lonny!
With September being National Emergency Preparedness Month, I attended a sobering presentation on Earthquake Preparedness by a professional from the USGS. We were told that there is a 62 percent probability for one or more magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake will strike the San Francisco Bay Area region from now to 2032. (yikes!) It is also reported that only half of people have readiness items set aside in their homes for use in disasters.
But, of course it is not just the people in earthquake country that should be getting their home and family ready in case of an emergency. As we have seen from recent disasters around the world, being unprepared can be devastating. Many put off creating an emergency plan because it seems like such a time intensive and expensive project. The emergency plan checklist by Buttoned Up breaks it down into smaller tasks that can be accomplished in 20-30 minutes increments (download free here). Using the emergency plan checklist as a guide, below are helpful tips and links to preparing for a catastrophe:
One: Organize Your Emergency Plan
Your family may not be together when a disaster occurs, therefore it’s essential to plan in advance how you will communicate and get back together in different scenarios.
Establish a contact. Because it may be easier to make an out-of-town call, identify a contact {ideally out-of-state} your family can call and who can also relay information.
Make a contact list. Provide a list of contact phone numbers to all members of your family. For cell phone users, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Also, make sure to let your family and friends know that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
Subscribe to alert services. Many communities have systems that will send instant text alerts or emails to let you know about such things as bad weather, road closings and local emergencies. To sign up, visit your local Office of Emergency Management website.
Establish a meeting place. Select two meeting places in the case your family is separated in an emergency. The first location should be near your home. The second should be out-of-state or further away.Also, review possible evacuation routes available in your area online.
Learn about school and work plans. Find out what emergency plans are in place for your work and child’s school.
Share the plan. Distribute basic emergency information with your family, friends and neighbors. It should include your contact information, emergency contact, out-of-town contact and your neighborhood meeting place.
Prepare Your Home. Identify items in your home that need to be secured in the case of an earthquake. For complete information on making your home safer visit FEMA.
Two: Document Your Valuables
To be reimbursed after a catastrophe need a list of the items in your home. Recording with a video or camera the items you would want replaced is a great option. Also, documenting room to room all valuables {artwork, electronics, jewelry, rugs, furniture, clothing, etc.}. To make the task a little easier, Buttoned Up has created a binder, Valuables.doc that breaks down the big job of making an inventory into eight smaller steps.
The next step is to store the video, photos or list safely with your attorney, accountant or family member.
Three: Get Your Records Ready
One way to organize for an emergency is to create a binder. The binder holds the most critical information for your home and family, so you’re never without it when you really need it. It should be kept in a safe, yet handy place.Assuming you have a computer and printer, creating the binder is a fairly easy DIY project – here’s how step-by-step.
Manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
This is a list of additional items to strongly consider adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
Prescription medications and glasses.
Infant formula and diapers.
Pet food and extra water for your pet.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Cash or traveler’s checks and change.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the EFFAK Emergency Financial First Aid Kit – PDF, 277Kb) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher {get training from your local fire department on how to properly use a fire extinguisher}.
Matches in a waterproof container.
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.
Paper and pencil.
Comfort items such as books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
For those in earthquake country, have each member of the family keep sturdy shoes, whistle and a working flashlight next to each bed. The shoes will protect feet in the case of broken glass. Also teach everyone in your household to use the whistle or knock three times repeatedly if trapped.
Also, find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting here.
Five: Discuss Your Plan With Your Family
Set a time to meet with all members of your immediate family and those that live with you to discuss your emergency plan together. Let all know where to find the emergency kit(s), locate important information and who has the documentation for household valuables.
Is your family ready for a catastrophe? If not don’t delay in preparing. Planning for a disaster sounds depressing, but when complete will reduce any anxiety or worry you may be feeling.
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