6 TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME

Now that multiple weeks of stay-at-home guidelines have been in place, many of us may feel consumed by a long list of chores. People are taking care of their families, juggling complicated work and child-care schedules, and worrying about their finances. But if you’re restless and looking for ways to stay productive during the coronavirus pandemic, think about improvements that you may normally put off, such as organizing closets, pantries and toy boxes.

Julia Walter, managing director at Boffi Georgetown, a custom kitchen, bathroom and closet system company, shared tips via email for step-by-step ways to make organizing less overwhelming so you can see progress more quickly.

1. Start small.

I recently organized my spice drawer, something I rarely have time to do. I discarded spices that had expired and grouped each type of spice together, putting the ones I use often in the most accessible spots. Consider organizing spices in alphabetical order, so they’re easier to find.

2. Open all the cabinets.

Look inside each kitchen cabinet to see if there are better ways to organize certain items. Take out all the pots and pans and rearrange them so they are grouped by size, and keep the ones you use most often in the front. Start a donation pile for items you no longer use. They can be donated when it’s safe to drop off at a favorite charity.

We all have our go-to coffee cups and glasses, so remove mugs and glassware that are rarely used and put them in the donation bin.

Look at how your silverware is stored. There are many options for silverware trays that keep the knives, forks and spoons in their proper places. Free up space by moving random items that made their way into a drawer to a basket that can be stored elsewhere.

3. Peek inside your pantry.

If you want to close the door after opening it, then it might be time to organize your pantry. Grouping like products together, such as all the canned soups in one spot, is an effective way to get started. Wicker or metal baskets help keep the stray items in one place. For oversize items, look for an empty cabinet that you only need to access a few times a year.

4. Don’t forget pets.

Pet supplies, including food and toys, can get unmanageable. If you have a designated place to store these items, review what you have and see if you can consolidate items to make more room. If you have some food that your pet has never liked but you don’t want to throw away, think about donating the food to your local vet or animal rescue when it’s safe to do so.

5. Involve the whole family.

Children grow so fast. Think about other families who might be able to use the clothes your children have outgrown or save the items for the right time to donate to a charity. Have the kids be part of the cleanup and see if they remember wearing certain clothes and whom they might want to give them to. Try to contain the toys to one room and have the entire family help with straightening up. Consider tidying up a couple of times throughout the day before everyone gets tired.

6. Think of a favorite charity.

Start with little things at first to feel productive. Have family members decide on a charity to which they want to donate certain items. When it’s safe to go out and drop off your donation boxes, there will be a true sense of accomplishment.