Text: Tonya Lehtinen
Looking for a way to organise your many personal belongings? SA Home Owner spoke to space organiser and de-cluttering consultant Tonya Lehtinen from the Space Whisperer on how to create calm out of clutter
When organising your home, have a designated area or space for everything. A utility cupboard to house all your brushes and brooms, stationary drawer scissors for tapes and gift-wrap and a drawer for batteries, adaptors and bulbs. Garages are often under-utilised but are a great place to put the recycling system. We tend to stay away from storing in the garage when there is not sufficient shelving or if it has become a dumping ground, so reclaim your garage space. Here are my top tips to organise each room in your home.
Children’s bedroom:
- I love the idea of hooks as they keep things off the floor. With little ones, hooks should be low enough for them to access. Hanging canvass storage bags on the hooks makes tiding up and organising really easy.
- If there is space, I like the idea of a simple low work/activity counter – near a window if possible. A set of baskets can be stored under the counter when tiding up. I love baskets for the children’s toys.
Main bedroom:
- The bedroom is a sacred place and should not double up as a storage place. If you need the space, choose bedside tables or cabinets that have some storage for items like magazines and daily personal items you don’t want on display. A bedside light is also essential.
- Women’s (and men’s) shoes are often a problem. On many occasions I have lifted the hanging rail in a closet slightly to create more shoe space. If there are really too many shoes a sliding shelf or two can be useful.
- Don’t keep a laundry basket in your bedroom – it’s not good Feng Shui.
Bathrooms:
- Bathrooms tend not to have enough towel racks because people are often scared to make holes in their bathroom tiles. Have some installed – heated rails add so much in terms of comfort. If you have space pick up some freestanding rails. I like these because I put them into the guest room when I have guests.
- Keep your laundry baskets in your bathroom.
Living rooms:
- It really is time to look at changing from the CD system. If you really must hang onto those faves, I strongly recommend losing the CD rack (which is always too small) and getting a zipped album or two if you have categories. Old records and turntables, unless they are used, must be sold or taken to the garage. It is also time to let go of videos, even the old sentimental ones. Sort out and purge, if you have family videos, you can get them transferred to disk.
- I don’t believe in sterile spaces so I like to put out on display all the beautiful gifts our children make for us or collect from nature. Glass bell jars are perfect for this – they make a pretty display that can change seasonally.
Kitchen:
- The first thing that most often needs to be done in the kitchen is a declutter. Make sure that everything you keep in the kitchen is functional. Have your knives sharpened, replace a dodgy can opener and declutter the grocery cupboard.
- A utility cupboard can have a basket attached to the door on the inside. This stops them from being knocked down when getting out the brush and pan.
- Brushes, pans, brooms, mops and vacuum pipes must hang in your cupboard or in another efficient space. Ensure you take care of your vacuum cleaner.
CONTACT:
Leave a Comment