Today, for the Garage, and Home Office, I'm giving two tips each to help you get more organized.

Garage
1. Set up activity zones, such as the ones listed in my previous article called 'House Zones'. For example, group gardening supplies in one spot, tools in another, and decoration storage in their own area.

2. Look 'Up' and try using the walls to build shelving on and the ceiling for some over head storage. This will help you make better use of the space you have. Storage solutions like peg boards, clear bins, and open crates that allow for easy access are great ideas.
Avoid cardboard or risk water damage, mold and bugs!
 
Home Office
1. Keep most-often used items close at hand. For example, items used daily such as a stapler, writing tools and your calendar should be kept on your desk. Other items such as tape and rubber bands that get used less often can be kept in a nearby drawer. Plastic drawer organizers work wonderfully.

2. Sort and file paperwork. There is an ART to Filing. Paperwork can fall into three categories. A stands for ACTION, R stands for REFERENCE and T stands for TRASH.
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Great things sometimes come in pairs. Today for each room here are two tips to help you get more organized.

Living or Family Room

1. Consider purchasing multi-purpose furniture such as coffee tables, foot rests, storage cubes, or couches and beds with storage built in for toys, extra blankets and pillows, or board games?

2. List all the activities that will take place in this space and section your living room into zones. Then consider the containment needs for your belongings that make things easy to put away. Baskets are great idea to consider.

Kitchen

1. Keep countertops clear. Put away any rarely used appliances such as a deep fryer’s into cabinets. Well in the case of a deep fryer I suggest tossing it altogether, yet, you get the idea. Review your appliances. If you haven't used it in 12 months give it away. Try this with your utensils too. Try putting the items away in a closet or garage and only take out if you need it. Then put back in your kitchen when done using it only.


2. Arrange zones in the kitchen. This can make your life simpler and easier. For example, sugar, flour, baking soda, and confectioners’ chocolate should be near each other to make it easy and convenient to bake when the urge strikes. Another zone may be your coffee/tea zone. Include coffee, sugar, tea bags, tea cups and mugs etc.
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Get in the Zone! 07/02/2009
 
Every room in your home is unique in the way that they contain very specific belongings. For example the bedroom generally holds your clothing and shoes as well as your relaxation and sleeping area. The Kitchen has food storage, utensils and cooking and cleaning areas and appliances. The Garage contains things like sporting gear, tools and perhaps laundry. I think you get the idea.

When you are working to organizing your space it makes it easier to first identify the different activities that take place in each room. This will help you be clear about where your things belong and where they should return should they manage to move out of their area.

Here is a list of the ZONES for each room in your home to help you get started. You can make your own based on what your specific needs are.

Kitchen:
Clean up, Cooking/Baking, Craft Center, Eating, Food Prep, Storage

Living Room:
Collectibles, Games, Hobbies, Media Center, Photos, Reading, Relaxation, Storage

Dining Room:
Collectibles, China, Eating, Linens, Storage, Table Dressings

Office:
Bill Payment, Mail In, File Storage, Computer Work, Supplies

Bedroom:
Clothes, Reading, Relaxation, Seasonal Clothes, Shoes, Sleeping

Garage:
Decoration Storage, Gardening Supply, Laundry, Maintenance Supplies, Sporting Goods, Tools , Workbench

5 Tips to make your spaces easy to maintain:

1. Make sure areas are definable and keep areas clear of items that don't belong.
2. Use labels for storage areas so that everyone will know where items belong.
3. Consider different colored bins for the personal items for each family member.
4. Put bins in each room for items that belong somewhere else. Empty them often.
5. Regularly rotate seasonal items into storage. Mark reminders in your calendar.
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