Organize For Creativity

Organize For Creativity
By Kathleen Wilson, Fri Dec 9th

OK, well, I know organization isn't really decorating, now isit? But, let's face it, what good is all the effort to create anice home when it's hidden behind the mess and the clutter? Soin order to help us all prevail over the chaos, here are somegreat hints for putting everything in its place! (On a budget,of course!) The number one way to reduce clutter and mess? Dealwith things as they occur, don't save it for later! File themail (or throw it away) as soon as it comes out of the mailbox!Don't step over a small mess thinking you'll do the whole roomlater. Get the idea? File your paperwork. Make afile/correspondence box with file folders. I just covered asturdy cardboard box with some contact paper, turned it on itsside, and glued a piece of miniature picket fence (cut out ofleftover foam core) onto the front to hold in the bills! Youcould save lightweight cardboard for dividers, make a "to pay"file and a "to keep" file, and perhaps a school file for thekids, and whatever else fits your household! Hide stuff! Yes,there are times when we don't want our living room to look likeDisneyland! Floor length cloths on the end tables are a greatplace to shove a toy box or unusually shaped toys when notneeded. If you have open shelving or a pantry area, considersewing a gathered curtain panel to cover clutter. Install itwith a spring-tension curtain rod, tie it on with ribbon, or trymy favorite, velcro stick-on tabs! Organize your kitchenlogically, and not only will you reduce clutter, you'll savetime and energy! Place items in cupboards near the area whereyou normally use them. For instance, spices near the stove,everyday dishes near the dishwasher, cutting board and knivesnear the sink - you get the idea! Use small boxes turnedupside-down to make higher "shelves" in the back of your spicecabinet. You don't have to buy expensive storage cubes for yourkids' rooms! Covered boxes, sewn drawstring bags from extramaterial, even an old suitcase under the bed make good storage.A wall of simple metal-strip utility shelving (they sell it inwhite, as well) can accommodate a large amount of stuff,especially for the older kids,

and is relatively cheap at homeimprovement stores. I save old baby-wipe containers to storecrayons, hot wheels, and that endless supply of useless toysfrom the fast food joints! You can cover them with contactpaper. Try labeling what goes where, even for the older kids, sothere is no arguing about what "putting it away" really means!Finally, attack one area at a time. Try to fit in a littlere-organizing each day, and you'll be recognizing that creativedécor you lost in the clutter again soon!

Copyright 2002 K. Wilson

About the author:Kathleen Wilson is the author of "Quick Decorating Ideas Under$20: The Budget Decorator's Bible" and the editor of The BudgetDecorator, a free ezine dedicated to the "budget impaired" homedecorator!For more free projects visit her athttp://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com.