Gain Independence from Clutter this Fourth of July

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 18, 2008 – As you think about celebrating our nation’s freedom this summer, think about freedom from clutter.

Kids, home from school for the summer, often wreak havoc on organizational systems, allowing clutter to build up in garages, closets and under beds. Stress can heat up along with the grill as families try to restore order to their homes.

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) hopes to free families from clutter and is providing tips and information to help individuals enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of a well-organized home. Summer is a great time to clear away clutter.

Reap the Benefits of Being Organized
A February 2008 NAPO consumer study found that 55 percent of the respondents would save upwards of 16 minutes to one hour a day if they were more organized. That translates into anywhere from two to 15 days a year being wasted!

“Getting organized is something that people know is beneficial, not just because of the obvious —saving time and money — but it really helps you save so much energy too,” said NAPO President Standolyn Robertson. “I can’t tell you how many people say they feel like a weight was lifted off of them when they finally got organized. They have more energy and feel more positive. Now who couldn’t benefit from that?”

Robertson suggests spending some time designing the systems you need to keep your home and office in order and then rewarding yourself with more time and energy to get together with friends and play with your kids and pets outdoors.

Secrets in the Bedroom….

So, now that you have decided to get started, the question remains … where to begin. NAPO’s recent study found that the top three disorganized rooms in the house, in successive order, are the bedroom, garage and home office/den. For married individuals, the garage was the most unorganized, while unmarried respondents cited the bedroom as the number one spot for clutter.

Here are some tips for organizing these rooms:

Bedroom Tips:
·   Give away items that are still in good condition but you no longer need to local charities, friends, family, and others in need.
·   Decide what you want at your fingertips and what can be stored away in decorative containers on top shelves, or in drawers.
·   Closets are one of the major places to store clutter in your bedroom. Go through your closet regularly and evaluate everything you have not worn in the last year.
·   Hang like items together—group shirts together, pants together, dresses, etc.

Garage Tips:
·   Determine how you wish to use the space. Is it a workshop? Is it a storage center? Is it a sporting goods center? Is it both? Design a floor plan and stick to it!  
·   Get rid of things that don't work!  
·   Sort, purge and then decide the proper storage containers or fixtures for the treasures that you must keep. Clearly label both the tops and the sides of the containers.  
·   Consider floor-to-ceiling possibilities for shelving, racks, stackable drawers, hooks and pegboards, and don’t forget the rafters.

Home Office/Den Tips:
·   Keep only supplies you need on a daily basis on your desktop.
·   Create a paper flow system for your incoming documents.
·   Use your in box only for items that haven’t yet been reviewed.
·   Avoid looking at documents and placing them back on the desk. Make a decision about each document and follow through with it.
·   Create a filing system for your electronic documents that mirrors the one you have for paper. Sort, file, and purge electronic information regularly.
·   Keep the most recent papers in the front of the file. Whenever you open it, the current information will be on top.

How to hire a professional organizer

A professional organizer enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles and through transferring organizing skills. Professional organizers help individuals take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper and their systems for life.