De-clutter your space for increased productivity

Home organization. For some, these are dirty words, a topic to be avoided. Best not to discuss the looming pile of old toys and clothes in the garage. Maybe if we don’t talk about it, it will just go away — slowly absorbing into the concrete never to be seen again.

Although it is unlikely that the clutter in our homes will spontaneously evaporate, it is likely that we all have some clutter and disorganized spaces in our homes. Whether it’s a fridge populated with items past their expiration date or a closet hosting a selection of clothes from the ’90s (be honest, you’re not going to wear that velvet crop top again), we all have opportunities to add some organization to our homes. 

Although the thought of de cluttering may not be appealing to some, the benefits of doing so are indisputable. The less time you spend pondering where to find your measuring tape or homeowners insurance policy, the more time you have to do, well, whatever you want.

I’m a firm believer that a home is simply happier when things both have a place and are put there regularly. And if you are intent on selling your home anytime soon, you would be well advised to eliminate any visual noise (read: clutter!) post haste. Here are a few top-notch suggestions on how to organize your space with help from professional organizer Meg Whittman, of Neat Method Orlando.

1. A great place to start your organizing is the kitchen. It’s the place in your home everyone congregates to, and your family may spend a good portion of their home time in this room. By organizing this space you can save time and probably money. Surely, I’m not the only one to buy an item or a spice for a recipe only to discover later I already had it buried in the back of my fridge or in a cabinet.

Whittman suggests homeowners make note of what they have. Do you have an abundance of a certain item, or items you simply don’t use and aren’t likely to? Time to get rid of what you don’t need, use or have a surplus of. Fill that space with something you will use, or don’t. Less can definitely be more here.

Another good rule of thumb is to evaluate the items you have in your pantry twice per year. Are there expired baking mixes or super old spices? Toss them and make a mental note not to repeat the cycle of purchasing these things again unless you really plan to use them. Take a good look at your fridge. Many of us just reorganized our fridge courtesy of hurricane Irma, but if you haven’t, now is the time. Set up your space to accommodate how you live and the items you store there regularly. Make sure all items are easy to see. It’s a simple tip but so helpful: If you can clearly see what you have in your fridge you wont waste money buying duplicate items. A cleaner, more organized kitchen is a healthier and happier place to be.

2. Another common corridor of clutter is the closet. Any closet can become overrun with items but the main culprit is the master bedroom closet. So often, we hold on to old, ill-fitting or simply unworn clothes. Whittman makes the point that at the start or the year you can really evaluate what clothing items you have or have not worn in the past twelve months. With apps such as Let Go and just about every town having a garage sale page on Facebook, it is quite easy to give unused or unwanted clothing to someone who might really need or want it. 

Another rule of thumb Whittman follows is “one in one out.” Buying a hot new party dress? Donate or sell one of your existing dresses. This might be harder to adhere to, but even if you stick to every other item, you can maintain your sense of closet order. Speaking of order, try hanging like items together and in color coordination. You can save valuable time in the morning not ever having to wonder where that green sweater is hiding.

3. On to the final frontier of disorganization, the garage. I love my garage. I often show homes that have garages being used solely for storage purposes. I have to say I could never sacrifice my garage to be used only for storage, but to each their own. Whether your garage houses your belongings, car or both, shelving is the major key. The more shelves, the better, and don’t forget to use weather-proof storage containers, because it is unlikely your garage has A/C. Keep things easily accessible with clear containers and labels. Never dread taking down and putting away your holiday décor again by following these essential pieces of advice.

Whether you plan to sell your home or stay there forever, organization enables you to make better use of your time as well as enjoy your space more. Imagine, a home free of clutter, a place you never have to pick up before our guests arrive. Take a little time to set things up and maintain them. And if you don’t have the time or desire to do it yourself, you can always hire an organizer to do it for you.

Christina Rordam is a local Realtor with 12 years experience and a member of ORRAs Top Producer Club. For more, visit christinasellsorlando.com.