Beat the Bell; School is Back in Session

How to prepare for the school year and stay organized!

1. Create a Landing Zone - This is a space off the main entry way of the home and consists of wall hooks for backpacks & keys, shoe cubes or shelves & wall files for school papers. (Once or twice a week it will be the guardians responsibly to go through those papers, keep what's needed and discard the rest.)

Pictured below is a custom mudroom with landing zone, you do not have to have this kind of space to implement a successful landing zone. 

Photo credit to Zillow

Spring Cleaning the SOS Way

It's spring clean season and many individuals bring in the cleaning crew to do the deep clean; cleaning windows inside and out, dusting base board and crown molding, light futures, vacuuming out drawers, etc. ​

Before you deep clean, what about a good discarding/purging session to clear out unused items. Purging doesn't mean throwing away, to SOS it means gifting the items to those less fortunate to bring another family joy. Please visit the website homepage to see the list of charities we support! 

Chalk Labels

Chalk labels rock because it allows you to easily change the purpose of a bin or basket. I like the labels from Michaels and Container Store. Buy a chalk pen; that's a must!  

Mail Organizer

Landing zones are extremely important to stay organized. Your landing zone should be in a convenient place off the garage or front door and should include a mail organizer (featured above), calendar and wall hooks. 

Mail organizer for 

1. Mail (including: paperwork, bills, coupons, magazines) 

2. School papers

3. Children's artwork 

Calendar so the whole family can communicate effectively. 

And wall hooks to hang purses and backpacks.  

Setting up a landing zone will really help incorporate a daily route to keep the family organized.

Extra Storage Trick

I have a small closet & bathroom, do you?  

If so, give this product a shot, over the door shoe bag. You can use it for shoes or whatever you wish.  

I use mine for extra bathroom products like shampoo, razors, lotion, makeup, etc. 

LOVE THE SMALL SPACES

Not all small spaces are bad spaces.

For example; under the sink,under the bed, shallow drawers & small linen closets can be put to good use. 

All you need is a little organizing magic to make these your most useful spaces!

Under the sink: try a tension rod to hang the cleaner bottles.

 Under the bed, use long shallow storage containers for each child's keep sake items.

You can do it!  

Stay tuned for organizing tips and tricks to improve your drawer and closet storage space. 

Best Drawer Organizers

Linus Drawer Organizers  

I've tried all the products out there and these Drawer Organizers from the Container Store are the best. They maximize the space efficiently and the plastic pads in the bottom make them stick and not shift when you close the Drawer. 

COMMON MISPERCEPTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS

Don't feel judged for the condition of your home. It is useful for your organizer to see your space in its current state so they can recommend solutions for common day to day stressors. 

BACK TO SCHOOL

 I had the opportunity to visit a client's elementary class for The Great American Teach In. In hopes of engaging the students, I took them through a practical organizing demonstration; cleaning out their desks. 

You can do the same thing at home!

Have your student;

1. Gather all loose papers in the desk & place on top the desk.

2. Recycle the papers they no longer need.

3. Create appropriate folders by subject. (Try using a label maker, the children loved testing it out.)

4. Have your student identify and take out  all the markers, pens & pencils. Get a gallon size plastic bag or pencil pouch to store them.

5. Last have them put back all items neatly in the desk. 

It was fun to see the satisfaction the students took in their work!