Advice
Welcome to our advice section. Every week I answer new questions submitted
by readers on Organizing, Image, Fashion and Event Planning.
You can read my "AddSPACE To Your Life!" column every week
in San Diego's “The Coast News" or read the archived columns
below.
E-mail your questions to advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
11.11.04
Children’s toys piling
up for many parents
Dear Kathi,
I have five kids and their toys have taken over my house. How can
I handle storing my children’s toys and keepsakes without sacrificing
my entire home?
Annie, Del Mar
Annie,
Start by sorting through your toy collection. Gather your children
and have them group all of their toys together into separate piles.
Each child can then choose what toys and keepsakes they wish to keep.
You will be surprised how fast and decisive they are at clearing out
their clutter. Children are normally much less sentimentally attached
to their belongings than adults.
Hold a toy garage sale to get rid of the cast-off toys. Let your kids
keep the profits. If a sale is too time-consuming, donate. Help your
children select the local charity where they will donate their items.
Take them with you when you deliver the donation. Being a part of
this process, your kids will learn about giving, feel a sense of accomplishment
and will more likely be willing to help on the next clearing spree.
When you have successfully cleared the old abandoned toys, take action
and create a separate holding zone for each child’s toys. A
large container works well because it creates a physical limit on
the amount of toys each child can own. If your child wants a new toy,
he/she will need to give away an item to create space within their
bin for the new toy. Let your kids know that they are responsible
for returning their toys to their individual storage containers before
bed. These excercises will teach your children how to remain clutter-free
throughout life.
Have a permanent donation box set aside in your home for unwanted
items. Your family will soon develop the automatic habit of releasing
old and unwanted items on a regular basis. As the “donate box”
becomes a permanent part of your life, you will happily and easily
clear at least one box of old possessions every month!
For the remaining keepsakes, put a trunk at the foot of each child’s
bed or use an under-the-bed box. As they grow, you can add items to
it and than send it off with them when they leave the nest.
Dear
Kathi,
I have a really hard time storing my clothes. My closet is very small
and I can’t get everything to fit inside. How can I optimize
my incredible shrinking closet?
Cathy O, Cardiff
Cathy,
Use as much vertical space as possible within your closet.
Maximize your overhead closet space by installing a long shelf just
above the clothes bar. If you already have a long shelf, see if there
is enough space to add another above it. Use shelf dividers to keep
your piles neat. Baskets also keep items separated and tidy. This
is a smart spot for jeans, sweaters and bulky wardrobe items.
Stack 2-4 shoe shelves next to your closet to free up the interior
shelf space. If you have a large vertical area just outside of your
closet, consider adding a tall bookshelf.
Increase the use of your new exterior shelves by adding pre-made drawers
or shallow boxes that fit on each shelf. These lightweight drawers
are handy for delicate items. If you are on a budget, you can use
shoe or gift boxes. Simply apply a coat of bright paint that coordinates
with your room colors and you have a well put together look. If you
wish to camouflage your shelved items, hang a piece of fabric or a
roll-up blind to fit the front of your shelf.
Install a few hooks strategically on the inside walls of your closet
to stow your pajamas and other daily wear items.
Use the back of your door to add space to your closet.
Install a thin drapery or towel rod on the inside of your closet door
to hang folded scarves & belts. Gloves & other small items
can also be kept here with shower curtain clips attached to the rod.
Remember, most importantly, purge your wardrobe as you are optimizing
your closet. Keep in mind that you probably only wear 20% of the clothes
that you are storing. Releasing clothing items will make your usable
space much more rewarding.
Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner
based in San Diego California.
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
San Diego Professional Organizer
