A More Organized Play Room is More Fun!

Four Steps to a More Organized Playroom

These simple tips from the National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan will help your family get and stay organized.

1) Decide:

Determine what volume of toys can fit comfortably in your playroom and make homes for them on shelves or in drawers. Keep an eye on that volume: as new toys come in, old ones must go out. Move them to a storage space for future use (labeled) or – better yet – donate to charity.

2) Contain:

Store broad categories of toys (avoid the temptation to be super-specific) together in bins that are easy to move to and from play spaces. Avoid lids for easier access. Label the containers, even if you think its contents are obvious. Involve the kids; they can draw picture labels if they're not writers yet.

3) Collect:

 

Toys have a way of escaping the playroom. Place smallish bins in other areas (e.g., living room, kitchen, stairs) to collect the escapees and return to the playroom when they're full.

4) Teach:

 

Staying organized is an essential life skill, so teaching your kids how to put things away so that they can find them again is part of your job as a parent. That means they need to practice! Just as it would be a shame for a 30-year-old to have never learned how to tie his shoe laces, it’s sad to see one who hasn’t learned the basics of organizing. So make putting toys away an everyday part of the end of the day ritual.

Organizing your playroom is easier than you think!

 

For more organizing tips, visit www.NapoMichigan.com.

Article submitted by Chapter member Molly Boren of Simplicity Works Organizing Services: www.sworganizing.com

ORGANIZING SMALL SPACES

Do you have a small room or closet that’s stuffed because you think it’s “too small to be organized?” 
Even though organizing small spaces is a challenge, remember that every cubic inch is valuable real estate for you to make organized use of.

There are tricks to getting a small space organized that can make that room or closet really work for you despite its “tight footprint.”

1.  In small spaces, go vertical whenever possible.  Use a tall bookcase or tower with multiple shelves to take advantage of the wall space.  Watch the depth of storage items to ensure space is maximized and the flow is good.  By doing this, you’ll get big bang for the little bit floor space used.   

In the bookcase or tower, place labeled bins, baskets or fabric drawers so everyone knows what’s in them.

2.  Another place for great storage is above the door in that room.  Install a shelf at that height to use for memorabilia storage, stuffed animals, seasonal decorations, etc.

3.  Hooks are a good way to hang items on the wall and use NO floor space.  Labeled tote bags on hooks can hold many types of things.

4.  In small spaces, lazy susan turntables can be a great tool.  On a refrigerator shelf, it can hold condiments.  In a pantry, it can hold canned goods.

5.  Limit the number of items stored in a small space.  For example, only keep two extra rolls of toilet tissue beneath the bathroom vanity with additional overflow rolls stored nearby.

So the next time you open the door to a small room or closet, look at it differently and you’ll be shocked at how much an organized small space can hold.

For more organizing tips visit http://www.napomichigan.com/.

Article submitted by Chapter member Cindy Greenleaf, Chief Organizing Officer of New Leaf Organizing LLC.

 

 

Please help me find my bed!

First get 4 boxes.  Label them Garbage, Remove, Donate, and Clothes to keep

Remove each item from your bedroom closet and decide which category it belongs in.

Garbage – Throw things away unless you have a clear need for them.

 

Remove -- A sk yourself are there any items that do not belong? If so, remove them by placing them in a box.

 

Donate – Donate to your favorite charity or sell at a consignment store? It depends on how big or small you want to make this project.

 

Clothes to Keep – You are determined to fit into your clothes, but the majority of clothes that don’t fit, should be placed elsewhere. Box them up but don’t forget to label the box with the sizes that it contains.

Other Bedroom Tips:

 

Make your bed daily. It’s the largest piece of furniture in your room and when it’s not made, it gives the whole room a different look and feel to it.　

Use the space under the bed for extra storage. So you’ll need to measure it before going shopping!

When assigning "homes" in your dressers, use the appropriate size drawer. For example, use shallow drawers for small items like jewelry, underwear and socks. Some chapter members have purchased jewelry inserts from Bed, Bath and Beyond, so that their clients could enjoy their jewelry more.

Try putting one category of items in drawers and don’t overstuff them.

Store items at appropriate heights, especially when working with children and seniors.

Organizing your Bedroom Closet(s)

 

Always have extra hangers in the closet. Take things out of your dryer when the signal buzzes.

It is a good idea to split your suit.  Seeing your suit pieces as separates makes your wardrobe go further.

Arrange clothes into categories.

Buy hangers that you can hang multiples on.

Use a pegboard to display accessories.

Buy tie and belt organizers.

Shoe racks are a great investment. If you have a lot of shoes, clearly label the shoebox or take a picture of the shoes and tape it to the outside of the box.　 Get rid of shoes that hurt your feet.

 

For more organizing tips, please visit www.NapoMichigan.com.

Article submitted by Chapter member, Betty Huotari, Chapter Past President; owner of Logical Placement LLC. More about Betty can be found at www.LogicalPlacement.com. 

How Prepared Are You for an Emergency?

Most of us will face an unexpected event in our lifetime. Events that once appeared impossible are the new reality – hurricanes, earthquakes, power outages, and more. 

How prepared are you for an emergency?

The National Association of Professional Organizers Chapter in Michigan has provided a summary of the American Red Cross and FEMA recommendations for emergency preparedness.

1. Get Informed.  Know your community’s emergency plan including the following:

·        Community response plan

·        Community evacuation plan

·        Emergency shelter locations

·        Community warning/alert systems

·        Other community plans

2. Make a Plan. The best way to be prepared is to have a plan and communicate it to all family members.  The plan should include the following elements:

·        Communication Plan

o   Key Contacts List.  Prepare a list of key contacts that can be used by family members to seek help when needed.  The key contacts list should be placed in a visible location within the home, entered into every family member’s mobile phones or placed in children’s back packs. 

o   Designate out-of-state contacts.  Make certain that the key contact list includes contacts that are located outside the community and, if possible, outside the state.  It may be easier to call a person outside the area if a disaster strikes locally.

o   Define emergency meeting locations.  Identify a location outside the home and outside the community where the family can gather if they cannot access the home or the area due to a fire, tornado or other disaster.

·        Define Escape Routes Outline how to evacuate your home, subdivision and neighborhood.  If your home is two levels, a route to escape the upper level should be defined along with an escape ladder.

·        Define Shelter-In-Place Locations  Identify the locations within the home where you can take cover in a weather or disaster situation.

·        Obtain and Use Equipment  The following equipment should be obtained and checked regularly for functionality:  

fire extinguishers,

smoke detectors,

carbon monoxide detectors and

escape ladders.

Family members should be trained on how to use fire extinguishers and fire ladders.

3. Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit. A disaster supply kit should be assembled keeping in mind the needs of family members and pets.  A list of items to include can be found at:  www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit. The supply kit should be placed in a designated, yet accessible, location for all family members.

4. Maintain Your Plan.  Your plan becomes effective only when it is communicated, practiced and updated.  Make a commitment to review your plan with the family at least annually by indicating a date on your calendar to perform this.  Regularly update any equipment, evacuation routes, key contacts or any plan aspects.

You will appreciate that you were prepared when an emergency happens!

For more organizing tips, visit www.NapoMichigan.com.

Article submitted by Chapter Member Mary Lynn Badr, Professional Organizer, Imagine It DONE, LLC.

 

 

Problem Organizing Your Pantry?

We are constantly in our kitchen pantries and often are overwhelmed by being unable to find a specific item.  Many of us struggle with this daily.

 This is what we’ve learned in our Chapter:

• Too many items on one shelf. 
• Not enough room to store everything. 
• Outdated items are stuck in here too.

How can I get this together?

 We recommend that you start organizing your pantry; by removing every single item.  Check the expiration date on each item.  If the date is older than 6 months, toss it.  Example: if the date is June 2012 – it’s good; December 2011 – it needs to go.  You can check expiration dates for food @

www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/do-food-expiration-dates-matter 

Use your table or counter top, even the floor, if necessary to sort the items, into categories or ‘zones’. 

Example:

• Baking Items
• Beverages
• Cereal
• Fruit
• Jell-o /Puddings
• Paper Products
• Pasta
• Sauces
• Seasoning Packets
• Soups.

Once you have set up your ‘zones’ on your working surface; now look at the configuration of your pantry.  Do you have lots of room on your shelves?   Or is your pantry a small space?  There are many useful space expansion shelves and baskets available on the market.

We recommend lighter weight items to be placed on the top shelves: example, paper products and cereal. Moving down the pantry shelves, place the items you use most frequently; arranged by zone.  Also, there are many neat little baskets on the market to corral those pesky slippery packages and small boxes.  Even a small cardboard box can be used as a ‘file’ for seasoning packets.

Professional Organizer Cindy Greenleaf of New Leaf Organizing, LLC @ NewLeafOrganizingLLC.com suggests you; “think about what you need to get from your pantry to complete a specific food preparation.  Example: baking.  It is really helpful to have all the ingredients in one container on a pantry shelf.  A small container, basket or even a plastic dishpan can hold flour, sugars, spices, chocolate chips, nuts and decorating items: so when you are ready to bake, you only need to reach for that specific container from your pantry to get you started.”

Once you’ve organized your pantry, it will be easier for you and your family members to access it on a daily basis. 

There is peace in the pantry.  Enjoy!!

For more organizing tips, please visit www.NapoMichigan.com.

Article submitted by Chapter member, Kathy Tucker, Director of Membership; owner and partner of Finally Organized, LLC.  You can visit Kathy’s website @ www.FinallyOrganizedMich.com and learn more about Kathy @ www.FaceBook.com/FinallyOrganizedMich

Ho Ho … How to Organize and Store Your Holiday Decorations!

These simple tips from the National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan will help you organize and store your holiday decorations.

Items you will need to help you organize:

Large Containers

Preferably the strong, stackable, plastic type with a lid. They come in an assortment of sizes and colors. Cardboard boxes won’t stand the test of time.

It is recommended that you separate your indoor decorations from your outdoor decorations in different bins.  This will make decorating each area much easier.

If you select the clear (see-through style) bins, you will be able to see what’s inside. Otherwise, if you prefer to use colored bins to differentiate the holiday decorations (indoor/outdoor, etc.), simply label the outside of the container

Have a container for each room of your home that you decorate. This system will make it much easier to       locate those special items dedicated to a certain area, such as train sets or holiday villages. 

Ornament Keeper / Ornament Storage Box

These items can be purchased from many local hardware and home décor stores where organizing products are sold.  They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and will help you safely store up to 72 ornaments in bin.

Just be sure to mark them FRAGILE and put these bins on top of the stack so the ornaments don’t get crushed. 

Cardboard Tubes 

Save your empty wrapping paper tubes or paper towel tubes for storing your tree lights. Simply put a slit in one end of the tube to secure the end of the string of lights and then begin to gently wrap them around the tube to keep them from getting tangled. This is also a good time to inspect the lights and determine if they need to be replaced with a new set. Some light sets suggest replacement after 90 days use (or equal to approximately 3 holidays).

Plastic Bags

Once the tree lights have been wound on the cardboard tubes, place them in a plastic bag to protect them.

Commercial wreath storage bags can be purchased to store wreaths. The bags will help keep the shape of the wreath if stored properly. 

Other helpful hints:

Wrapping paper should be stored in a box (with scissors, tape, gift tags and ribbon) in a closet or under a bed. This way you will have everything together and it will be protected from being tattered, dusty or even moldy – depending where you may have stored it.  

This is also the best time to inspect your decorations. If they are discolored, chipped or broken, it is time to repair or toss them. Watch for post-holiday sales when items are deeply discounted to purchase the replacements to your holiday decorations.

Organizing your holiday decorations is easier than you think! 

 

For more organizing tips, visit NAPOMichigan.com. 

Article submitted by Chapter member Marilyn Sclafani. Founder of Organize-Pro.com

 

Choosing and Using a Calendar

Calendars are the most basic and widely-used tool of time management.

Calendars link events and actions to a particular date and time.

Calendars also serve as a record of the past. 

Endless variations exist. Choosing one can be daunting: a traditional paper wall calendar or desk planner? An erasable whiteboard? A computer-based solution?


 

Before deciding, make a wish list.

 

Consider:

▪   Context:

 

Will you be using the calendar in one location?

Or do you need something portable?

▪   Complexity:

 

How many events are you scheduling each day?

How many people need to refer to it?

▪   Control:

 

Will you be the only one adding, revising, and deleting events?

Or do others need to contribute to it?

▪   Aesthetics:

 

Do you want your calendar to delight or inspire?

Do you want to frame time by the day, the week, or the month?

Winnowing through the options becomes a much saner task when you know which features are essential. Try different designs and types to learn which features support you and which get in your way. Keep in mind that a style that works well for one phase in life may not function at all when your needs shift.

An unused calendar is just a piece of clutter.

 

People who use a calendar effectively:

▪   Consult it before making appointments (to avoid double-booking)

▪   Record every appointment (if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t happen), and

▪   Refer to it frequently (at least twice a day: in the morning so that you keep your commitments; in the evening so that you’re prepared for tomorrow).

Caution: use only one calendar at a time. Multiple calendars generate chaos!!

For more organizing tips, visit www.napomichigan.com.

Article submitted by Chapter member Melanie Sobocinski, owner of

Prof Organizer LLC.

 

The Island of Misfit Toys

How to deal with toys.

Step 1: Break the project down into manageable parts.
It is probably unrealistic to tackle all the toys in your home at one time. Instead, pick one shelf, drawer, or box at a time.

Step 2: Sort toys into categories.
While there are many categories for toys, here are some common ones: stuffed animals, dolls, books, vehicles, kitchen, dress up, puzzles, and games.

Step 3: Go through the toys and figure out what to keep.
Some questions to ask that will help in making this decision include: Is the toy broken or is it in good shape? Is the item played with? Is the item age appropriate? Do we have an appropriate number of those items?

Step 4: Create play zones.
It can be helpful to name the kind of play that happens in each zone. Zone examples include art, reading, or transportation. All toys that are used for each specific kind of play will go in their zone.

Step 5: Find a home within the zone for the toys that you keep.
Once you find a place to put the toys, it is important to find a way to identify the container. This will make it easier for your children to put the toys away. Identify this new home with a description (a picture) that is attached to the bin or container .

Step 6: Find a different home for what you want to get rid of.
If you know someone with a child who is younger, perhaps some of the toys that are no longer age appropriate for your children would work well for them. Put them in a labeled bag and take them to your car so you will have them the next time you and your friend get together. Put any toys that are going to a donation center in another marked bag in your car.

Last words

Toys can be a source of great joy to children and their parents. Learning how to manage toys will help make this sentiment a reality!

For more organizing tips, visit www.NapoMichigan.com. 

Article submitted by Chapter member Susan Hunsberger, Professional Organizer, with Strategize Organize LLC   strategizeorganize.com

Moving Mountains also known as Overcoming Procrastination

 

“He who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones”

so says a Chinese Proverb.  

We all procrastinate about something.  Sometimes it about writing blog posts about procrastination. 

Determining why you’re procrastinating can help you overcome it. 

One of the most common causes of procrastination is overwhelm, the task seems so big that you never start.  Overwhelm paralyzes.   

Overcoming overwhelm can be accomplished by taking the task at hand and breaking it down into smaller pieces until you get to the smallest next step you can actually accomplish. 

 So instead of “paying the bills” it might look like this:

·       Find a pen

·       Find the checkbook

·       Find the bills (ignore all the rest of the paper)

·       Put the bills in order by due date

·       Write the checks

·       Turn on the laptop

·       Pay the online bills

·       Find the stamps/address labels

·       Stamp/address the bills

·       Put them in your purse or car so you remember to mail them the next time you are out. 

By breaking down the job into small pieces, you can overcome the resistance to do it, no matter how big that job may be – happy organizing!

For more organizing tips, please visit www.NapoMichigan.com.

Article submitted by Chapter member, Cynthia Gentit, Professional Organizer, Eat That Elephant LLC.  Cynthia’s website is www.eatthatelephant.com.

Make your move stress free!

Moving is one of the top ten stressers in life. If you plan for the move ahead of the actual move date, it does not have to be stressful at all.  Here are some tips to make the move easy and pain free:

1.   As soon as you know you are moving, spend some free time each week going through cabinets and drawers. Don’t forget the closets, garage, and basement too. These places are where most people store things that they will use, but many of the items in these places are not looked at too often.  Ask yourself, “Do I really need this or does someone in my home really need this?”

2.   If possible, get each person in the house involved in going through items.  It will be more fun and less of a chore.

3.   Eliminate anything that no one in the house is using. Donate it to a charity and obtain a tax receipt.

4.   Only move things that will be used, and don’t waste time packing and moving unwanted items.

5.   What is being kept to store, such as children’s clothes and holiday decorations, keep in labeled bins. This way, when it gets moved, it will not have to be unpacked unless there is something breakable in it. The breakable item(s) should be packed seperately.

6.   Pack items ahead that you are not using on a daily basis. These items could include fine china, holiday decorations, and out-of-season clothing.

7.   Keep paper plates, napkins, cups, and plastic utensils unpacked and available to use during the last few days at the current house and to use the first few days at the new house.  Be sure to prepare some meals ahead or purchase some lunch meats and bread for sandwiches. Don’t forget the bottled water too.

8.   Make a list of movers, their availability dates and prices.  Keep this information in a spiral notebook so it stays together. When you have secured a move time, call the mover and use the research you have already done to secure the actual date.   

9.   If possible, allow about a month lead time to secure the mover. Allow an even longer lead time for a long-distance move.

10.  Keep in mind that it takes about ten days to transfer mail, so plan accordingly when sending the address change form to the Post Office.   

“Moving is an opportunity to get rid of the things you no longer use or that you don’t find a useful purpose for in your life”, said Angie Weid, Professional Organizer with Organized Solutions.

Preparing for a move can be easier than you think.  For more organizing tips, visit www.NapoMichigan.com. 

Article submitted by Chapter member Theresa Brune, Professional Organizer, Simplify It LLC.www.SimplifyItLLC.com.