Tuesday, May 31, 2011

GARAGE MAKEOVER TIPS



Your home is your haven. Does that tranquility begin the moment you open the garage door or does the mess add to your stress? Don't let a disorderly garage alter your positive energy. Transform this unruly space into your favorite place with these clever storage tips.

REMOVE THE EXTRAS

The first step to clearing the clutter is to decided what you want to keep and how much of it to put in storage. Then get rid of the items you are not using which are taking up valuable space in the garage. Ask yourself, "can it be sold at a garage sale, donated, recycled or trashed?"

KEEP ITEMS ELEVATED

Garages tend to get damp and dirty easily, so storing items up and off the floor can keep them dry and protected from this tough environment. Hanging cabinets allow for easy sweeping and cleaning underneath, while full back panels help reduce the collection of dust and dirt inside.

DESIGNATE A DROP ZONE

Use a storage bench or counter as a place to prop groceries while unlocking the door. A bench also serves as a handy perch for pulling on shoes. Hooks and baskets keep everyday items at the ready: dog leash, jackets, keys, and backpacks.

UTILIZE EVERY SQUARE INCH

Filling the full height of your wall with tall storage cabinets maximizes the available space. Seldom-used, bulky items such as seasonal decorations, coolers, and camping supplies can be stowed up high and out of the way on sturdy adjustable shelves.

A CLEAN PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

Your stuff stays concealed behind closed doors but what keep it clean are the features inside. Baskets and drawers fully extend so it's simple to put away sports equipment, kids' toys, tools, gloves and more. Bright white cabinet interior makes it easier to see and find what you need in a jiffy.

MAKE IT WORK WITH A WALL SYSTEM
Tight areas, typically the sides adjacent to the cars, are space-challenged so a slat wall system or shallow storage works well here. You can hang hoses, garden tools, rakes, brooms or other tall, slender items in this area. Snap and lock racks, hooks and baskets can be easily moved for rearranging your garage gear.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

FOUR EASY STEPS TO ORGANZIE YOUR CLOSETS


Take inventory: Use a checklist to think about the items that need to be stored or removed. Ask yourself:
How frequently is it used?
How many items need to be accommodated?
Is there a more appropriate place for it?
Is it time to dispose of it?

Remove the extras. Reduce visual clutter and gain more space by removing items you rarely or never wear because they don't fit, aren't comfortable, or are out of style. Sort them in four boxes: belongs elsewhere; give away or sell; not ready to get rid of, and trash. Date the not ready to get rid of box and look through it a few months to determine if the clothes still should be saved.

Group like items together - Shirts or blouses all in one area, skirts or pants in another. Use double-hung racks, one at waist height and one at eye level, to separate attire and maximize hanging space. Having designated areas for your items means you will always know where to put them away and where to find them the next time.

Keep objects close at hand if they are worn often. Save time looking for your favorite clothes and accessories by putting them in a place that's easy to reach. Designate your top shelf for storing items used infrequently.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

GARAGE ORGANIZING TIPS



Not just a place to park a car, the garage is an extension of the home - a back-door pantry for bulky items, a spot to store muddy shoes and coats, and an escape place to garden or tinker with tools. It can also become a habitat for collecting clutter. As the family's main passage to the home, shouldn't it be as clean and orderly as your front entrance?

FOUR EASY organizing ideas to make the most of your garage this summer

Keep items off the ground. Spare your floor from pileups and keep your belongings clean and dry by storing them up and off the ground. Slatwall system with adjustable hooks, racks and baskets provides plenty of flexibility to add and rearrange. Choose cabinets with feet that adjust to accommodate uneven floors.

Make it easy to go green. Situate a space right outside the door to store recyclables, returnables, and reusable grocery bags. In a convenient location they'll be easy to access and easier to remember to take with you on the next trip to the store.

Keep all your sun essentials in one spot and get to the pool and beach sooner. Locate baskets, shelves and hooks at kid-height for storing balls, buckets, flip flops and fold-up chairs. Show young children where things go with pictures and word labels for fast and easy clean-up.

Keep the dirt outside and spend less time inside cleaning. Set up a shoe storage rack and practice the habit of shedding shoes before entering your home. Place a rug or scraper outside the door to cut the dirt tracked inside. Store sweatshirts in the garage to grab and gather for a cool summer evening of stargazing.