by Natalie Morey | Sep 17, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips
Help? My Desk Needs Some Serious Decluttering and Sorting
Some days I look at my desk and think the amount of papers must have multiplied overnight. I’m sure it didn’t look that messy yesterday. I just want a clean and organised desk and maybe if I just click my fingers, the papers will shuffle into order. I wish!
One handy tip I’ve learned is to set up a filing tray, because I know that I don’t put my papers away immediately. At least this organises part of the roaming papers that clutter my desk.
Storage Ideas to Clear The Clutter On My Desk
Note to self – I must get a toast rack type filing stand for my desk. If I do that, it can house my active files when I’m not actually using them. As it stands upright, this will give me a more clear desk space. Finally, I feel like I’m winning the paper war and might actually get a tidy desk.
Now, lastly, what does your desk look like? Can I even see it under the bulk of papers?
Until I implemented a paper management system in the office, I frequently had piles of papers stacked up neatly on the floor.
Set Up an In- Tray
We spend enough time at the office as it is. Don’t waste time trying to find your files. Set up a couple of filing trays. Clearly label them. Also label your folders and hanging pockets, which are placed in your toaster rack. It will make the office run just that bit smoother.
It doesn’t take long to set up a paper management system for your home office. Trust me – it will save you time in the long run. The obstacles on the floor of course disappear into your system. How many things do you have to walk around or over to get to your desk? Now is the time to organize your office.
If your desk is overwhelming and needs some decluttering and sorting, then the first thing you need to do is write a list and make a plan as to how you are going to organise it. In a previous blog article, we wrote about get organized and write a to do list. It really does help if you write it down on paper. Once I have a list written down, I automatically feel more organised. I feel more focussed and it is great as I can tick things off the list as I complete them.
By Melissa Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 15, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips
It’s that time again – Spring Cleaning Season.
September and October are a great excuse to do that annual Spring Clean. Your place looks great, it feels fresh, you feel great and it provides the perfect time to get rid of all that clutter that has built up over the past 12 months. Of course there is the usual carpet and window cleaning, wall washing, balcony cleaning and rubbish removal. However, a Spring Clean also provides the opportunity to go through those old piles of magazines and papers and throw them out.
Here are some other tips which makes spring cleaning and organising quicker and easier… and we all like that!
Natural Cleaning Products
I love natural cleaning products. I often wonder with all those smells and chemicals that we are spraying into our house, what are we doing to our environment and more importantly, what are we breathing in.
My all time favorite cleaning product is Bicard (sodium bicarbonate baking soda). When mixed with Vinegar it becomes a fantastic cleaner and sanitizer. They say that cider vinegar is best on hard surfaces and that white vinegar is good to use on white marble and fabrics.
Shower Heads
If sediment has built up on your shower head and is blocking the spray of your water flow, then it’s easily fixed. Unblock the head of your shower by placing some vinegar and bicard soda in a plastic zip lock bag, put it over the shower head, zip up and leave overnight.
Window cleaning
Methylated spirits and water in a spray pack works a treat on your windows.
Chandelier cleaning
Did you know that there are professional chandelier cleaners that you can hire to do this.
Spring cleaning and decluttering the wardobe and need to donate old work clothes
Of course there are the well known places like St Vinnie’s and The Red Cross, but did you know there is a great organisation called Fitted for Work, www.fittedforwork.org. They collect old and unwanted suits and give them to disadvantaged women who are trying to enter the workforce. It’s a great concept and one worth supporting.
Until next time, Happy Organising.
By Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 14, 2012 | Home Organisation, Tips
Organised Shoes
Shoes are a girls best friend. We love them and you can never have enough of them.
There are some great products on the market for organising your shoes. The right product for you will be totally dependent on the amount of storage you have, how many shoes you have and how often your wear your shoes. Here are a couple of my favourite storage options.
Original Shoe Boxes
Some people like to keep their shoes in their original shoe box. They then take a photo of the shoes and stick them on the outside of the shoe box. That way it’s easy to see which shoes are in which boxes. Depending on the number of shoe boxes you have, you may also like to do a register, listing all your shoes with a corresponding image.
See Through Shoe Boxes
You can replace your cardboard shoe boxes with see through shoe boxes.
Fabric Shoe Holders
Whilst they may not look that great, you can use a fabric shoe holder which clips over your wardrobe pole and hangs down. However, this is not a good option if you don’t have a lot of hanging space.
Shoe Racks – Great For Organising Shoes
There is quite a range of wooden and metal shoe racks out there. Checkout places like Ikea, Kmart and Howard storage and see their range. The extendable ones are good option.
Custom Made Shoe Racks
Now, if you are a serious shoe collector, then it may be worth having custom made shoe storage created.
There are lots of other shoe storage options out there. When selecting a storage product, you really need to assess how many shoes you have and the space available. So what are you waiting for. Its the perfect time to do a declutter and cull and organise your shoes. Then once you have organised the shoe collection, you can start on other areas of the house – perhaps your makeup draw. For some handy tips on decluttering your make up draw you can review to declutter your makeup draw another blog designed to give you some tips and inspiration.
Until next time, happy organising.
By Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 13, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips |
Did you know that just like other products, cosmetics have an expiry date? When was the last time you decluttered your cosmetics draw?
I am fanatical about use by dates on food and I apply the same principle when it comes to cosmetics.
In Europe, cosmetics have a use by date on them, however, interestingly in Australia cosmetics don’t. Given you are putting product on your face and eye area, you can never be too careful. When working with clients to organise their home, I regularly find old perfumes and moisturisers in the back of their cupboards that have been there for years and years. When organizing and decluttering bathrooms, I like client’s to get involved in reviewing the product, as they know how long they have had things for.
What is the average period after opening (PAO) expiry date for standard makeup?
Reference: Better Homes and Gardens, October 2012
Declutter your Makeup
Professional Organising Tip:
- As soon as I open new mascara, I purchase another one, and pop it in the bathroom.
- Strawberrynet.com. is a great online store that sells premium brands at competitive prices. It is worth a look if you want to update your cosmetics.
Good luck with decluttering your cosmetic draw!
Until next time, Happy Organising.
By Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 11, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips
Being disorganised costs you time and money. Avoid being stressed and create more time by being more organised and planning ahead.
Here are a few tips to help you stay organised:
- Buy two printer cartridges each time you make a purchase. That way you will never run out of ink.
- Buy extra light globes, so you always have some spare. You will never be left in the dark again.
- Stand over the rubbish bin when you open your mail and “bin” any junk mail. That way you are guaranteed never to have a buildup of junk mail on the kitchen bench again.
- Put a hook at the door so you can hang your keys on it as soon as you walk in the house. You will never waste time searching for your lost keys.
Until next time, Happy Organising.
Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
by Natalie Morey | Sep 9, 2012 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips |
The cupboard under the kitchen sink is one of the most cluttered and messy spaces. A quick declutter of this space will have it looking organised and user friendly in a short time.
I was flicking through some old magazines and come across this from Howard Storage World, Summer 2010, Issue 4 and thought it was great. Hope you like it too.
Some quick tips on how to declutter, order and sort under the kitchen sink.
Here are my few tips for decluttering under your kitchen sink:
Step 1: Clear everything out from under the sink and clean the space.
Step 2: Sort through and throw out items that are out of date or you don’t use.
Step 3: Use baskets to group items together. Lift-out baskets are great as you can easily get to the items.
Step 4: Utilize as much space as you are able. 3M hooks are also great for sticking small wire baskets to the back of the doors to store things like cleaning cloths, dish cloths etc
Until next time, Happy Organising!
Natalie Morey, Professional Organiser
