I was just going over my next newsletter and I got your post. That is truly great news. Let us know how the kitchen comes along.

Yes, it seems you are alone in the running for GOLD, yet that you took the time to write impresses me. Should you need help in finishing off you home, or even your office, I would be pleased to help. For local work can come to you, or out of town, I will be happy to "virtual coach" you through it.

It is nice to know that you see value in getting good product to containerize things. A technical error that many people suffer is not having proper storage. I recommend doing a sorting session, followed by purging, then decide where things go and in what they should go into. Oh, and “there is no such thing as too many labels”

I am here to help on that matter, stay tuned and be sure to sign up to Tidy Times Newsletter, if you have not already, and get more free tips and info each month.

Have a grrrresat day!
Michelle

Hi Melia,

It sure sounds like you have a little challenge there and I hope to be able to help you.

You can see some of my articles in my blog to help as Debbie did, yet I am going to give you a step by step to give you a little head start.

If this is a large cabinet then you need to give yourself a few hours if not more to work on this. At least give yourself enough time so if you finish early you feel good and can celebrate.

First: Prepare your area to sort. This is first an important stage and it involves taking ‘everything’ out! Yes, everything! Have lots of clear counter space and or floor space clear to place all the items. Don’t start unless you have the room or you may end up getting frustrated and quit mid stream.

Tip: go out and buy about 4-6 or more, depending on your needs, little square and rectangular baskets to hold small items. Sizes should be between 5”x5” to 10”x8”as a guide. You can buy more than you need up front and return extra later or wait until you have things sorted to make a quick trip to store and back. You decide, this is just a suggestion.

While you take the items out put them into categories. You need to decide what these categories are. You can do it as you go along and don’t sweat it too much, it is not about perfection. Just make categories pretty general at first.

So now that everything is out, weed through and toss the old stuff and the stuff you don’t or won’t use.

Ok, now have a glass of wine and relax. This is half way point. Don’t get stressed by the mess, it all goes away. Did you give yourself enough time? As I said, make sure to have time, no distractions!

Clean the cabinet before proceeding. There is no use putting things back into a dusty cabinet, the fresh feel and new clean organized look will inspire you to be more careful to maintain it later.

Now, decide in your mind where everything goes back and where it will fit. Use the baskets you have to coral small items. Use a marker or label maker to label the baskets, and use removable labels to mark the cabinet shelves to, assigning a home to each category. This is going to take time too at least 40% of time is deciding and containing.

Got a pen handy? Good, take notes of any special containment you need to make this work. If you need a new spice rack, clearly define what it will look like and what dimensions you need. Etc.

Now, put everything back where you have decide it goes, label and containerize and you’re done!

I hope this was helpful for you.
If you ever decide you need help to do this, or to tackle a larger project, call me. Consultations are no-cost!

Hello Melia,

Thanks for taking time to update us. Funny thing about those Tupperware lids, I think they make off with the occasional sock that seems to go missing too!

The containers without lids can possibly get used to contain other small items, like tea bags, spice pouches, twist-ties and rubber bands. Or even for little items in other rooms, like bathroom items under the sink that need to be corralled. The lids however may just need to find a home in the recycling bin. 

I hope you find the time to tackle it again. The sorting is 40% of the work. Many people underestimate this so please make sure to give yourself room to breath when you do this.

Or call me. I love doing this stuff!

The Tiger

Hello Melia,

That is great to hear!
Congratulations, you are a Gold Winner!
I am glad I could be of help in any way.

Cheers,
Michelle