​We see it all the time in our line of work, the desire to get organized resulting in the excessive purchase of organizing products that don't seem to fix the problem and sometimes even add to the clutter.  Here's how to avoid having a surplus of ill-fitting organizers in your home. 

Tip Number One:  Measure before you shop!  We can't say this one loud enough or often enough.  Don't guesstimate by eyeballing it or fall victim to buying something just because it's a good deal.  Take the time to measure the space you're organizing by taking good and accurate measurements.  Be sure to measure the width, length, and height.  When measuring cabinets be aware of supports and hinges that may hinder pulling a basket or bin out and take measurements accordingly.  Measure the lip of the cabinet if it sticks up to make sure drawer organizers will work.  Take note of the measurements and take the measurements with you when going to the store or reference them when doing online shopping.  It will take some math to figure out if the organizers will fit the space but you will love the result if you measure before you shop.

Tip Number Two:  Gather ideas from a professional.  Watch our stories, posts, and reels on Instagram and Facebook for ideas on the best organizing products we love and use the most.  Many of them can be used in your space as well (which you can confirm by measuring).  We often share the names of the products and where you can purchase them.  There are hundreds of ideas just waiting for you on our social media so be sure to utilize that tool to your advantage.  

Tip Number Three:  Decide on whether or not you want clear containers, ones that you can't see through, or a mixture of both.  Everyone and every space is different.  For those who are extremely visual, we often recommend clear acrylic organizers so you can see what's inside.  If you want to make it so that you see the clean lines of bins or baskets instead bin labels help you know what's inside and are a visual reminder of where you've put what.  We recommend labeling those clear containers as well.  For basement storage rooms we often recommend clear bins with lids that are clearly labeled.

Tip Number Four:  Give your space an elevated and textured look by combining the containers you use.  For example, in one pantry we may use water hyacinth baskets, clear acrylic bins, and wood stackable bins to create variation and depth in the space.  Don't be afraid to mix and match in an orderly and symmetrical way.  It doesn't have to be all the same bins for an entire space.  Make sure they coordinate though so that it doesn't have a cluttered look.  You can match the look of your home to your organizers.

Tip Number Five:  Decide on a budget before you go shopping.  Take a look at your financials and decide how much money you have available to invest in organizing products.  It can add up fast and often costs more than people think so knowing how much money you have to work with will help you make good choices while you're shopping and will direct you toward the right product line.  

Tip Number Six:  Decide what is the most important attribute to you: style/aesthetics, function, or budget.  This will help you when you're shopping to know which direction to go with the product lines you look at.  Having a clear vision of what's most important to you will help you determine what organizers will help you achieve that.

Tip Number Seven:  Think outside the box.  Our best organizing solutions stem from thinking outside the box.  Have a corner cabinet that is a lost cause?  Add a lazy Susan so that you can easily access everything you want to store in there.  Have cans begun to overrun your pantry landing on different shelves?  Purchase a can organizer that fits your space.  Not sure why your closet looks cluttered even once it's organized?  Buy matching hangers and watch it transform your space.  Don't do what you've always done if it's no longer working for you.  Change it up, start over, and begin again.  The right product in the right space makes the puzzle come together in a way that can be both beautiful and functional.

Tip Number Eight:  Use drawer dividers with inserts that allow you to customize your drawer to fit what you house there.  Match the color of the drawer divider to the interior color of your drawer.  These often get the biggest wow response from our clients when they see the drawer.  The dividers fill the drawer making it look as though they have been built custom just for you.

Overwhelmed by the thought of buying products?  Let us do the shopping for you!  When you purchase one of our organizing packages, we measure, consult with you on what your goals are, come up with ideas, do the shopping, and put them into place in your home.   You don't have to do this alone!

Melissa Fortino

You've collected the ideas on Pinterest.  You've purchased containers.  You long for an organized home.  But you're lacking one thing: motivation.  Where does it come from and how do you get it?  Well, there are lots of tips and tricks out there on how to get motivated but here are three easy things you can do to help you get going toward your dream organized home.  

Step One:
Think about why you want to organize.  Is it to declutter your home so that you feel less overwhelmed?  Is it to save time and money?  Is it because your children struggle to find toys to play with and can't find a clear space to do homework?  There are a lot of reasons why you might want to get organized.  You have to get clear on your why first, in order to get motivated.  Organizing is a part of self-care.  Outer-order brings inner-calm.  

Step Two:
Envision your home being organized.  This can be a tricky one for some people especially if they've always lived in a cluttered home.  Use your imagination and start to clear the space, item by item, one thing at a time.  Imagine how it will feel to no longer have clutter.  Imagine clear floors, tidy counters, and a made bed.  Imagine every detail of your favorite room in your house.  You can do this by sitting in a seated position with your feet pressed to the floor, sitting upright with your eyes closed.  If you meditate sit in the position you typically meditate in.  Breathe deep and slow, in and out, seeing the finished and organized space in your mind.  Feel the difference in how the room feels.  Now shift your mind to the fact that you can make this a reality.  You can and will achieve an organized home.  Nothing is stopping you from it and you can tackle it one item at a time, room by room until your home is complete.  

Step Three: 
Decide which room or closet you're going to start with.  The desire to do everything all at once is real, so breaking down your home into smaller more manageable pieces is the best way to go.  Think about the space that is causing you the most stress on a day-to-day basis or that you're the least likely to tackle.  Whichever room comes to mind first that is where you should begin.  If you can conquer this room the rest of your house will fall into place like dominos.  Once you've decided which room or closet you're going to start with, get started now. If you're unable to start now due to an appointment or other obligation, block off time on your calendar for when you're going to organize that room and stick to it as if it was a doctor's appointment or something you wouldn't miss if scheduled on your calendar.  This will help you schedule around this time and will ensure you have the time to get your first space organized.  

By figuring out your why, envisioning the space, and making that first decision of where to begin, you're going to feel motivated to start!  Dig deep and find the strength and energy to begin, I know you can do it!  You're just three easy steps away from getting started.  Motivation can be fleeting so strike while the iron is hot!  Get moving and tackle that space.  Still struggling to find motivation?  Give us a call and schedule an appointment with us, we'll keep you focused and will motivate you to get it done.  

I believe in you!

Melissa Fortino

There are many benefits to being organized as you roll into the New Year.  The first and most important one is that it will, without a doubt, lower your stress level.  Imagine coming home and finding exactly what you need when you need it.  A home that you look forward to returning to over and over again because it is an oasis that works for you, rather than against you.  Lowering your stress levels has a great impact on all areas of your life, your health included.  Having less stress in your life means that you'll be able to focus on what matters, like your family and friends.  Less stress also means you'll be able to sleep easier and will be able to think more clearly.  Overall, you'll find yourself feeling lighter and freer.  You'll look forward to walking in the door, wrapped by the warm hug of an organized home.  

In addition to less stress, you'll also save money once you're organized because you'll find what you need when you need it.  The double, triple & quadruple buying that is happening in homes stops once you get organized.  You can see your full inventory of each like item once they're grouped in a proper home instead of tucked and shoved away all over the house.  You'll stop throwing away expired food, and in turn save money, because you'll start using what you have in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.  Being organized changes the way you shop.  You start to think "Will I need, love, and use this if I bring it home?" before you make a purchase.  You consider where it will live, and if your space is maxed out that's a sign it's time to skip the purchase, which saves you money.  

Time is another thing gained by being organized.  You'll save so much time by knowing exactly where everything is in your home once it's organized.  You'll no longer lose minutes, hours, weeks, and months throughout your lifetime looking for lost items in your home or office.  It takes time to get organized but that time comes back to you tenfold in saved time when you need something.  You'll get ready faster in the morning because your closet will only house clothing you love and that makes you feel good.  Making decisions will take less time because you can easily see what you have.  You'll spend less time shopping because you'll go shopping in your home through the items you already own.  

If you're a parent the benefit of being organized reaches beyond yourself and can help build lifelong habits that will benefit your children for years to come.  It sets a great example for them to follow.  It takes time and hard work to teach organization skills but it is so worth it.  Your children can become more conscientious roommates and spouses down the road, and it will set a good foundation for them that will stay with them throughout their lives.  Organizing is for all ages and can be fun. It is often a learned skill that has the potential to start at home when they're young! 

Less stress, saved money, more time back, and a lasting foundation for your children are some of the best benefits you can gain by rolling into the New Year being organized.  Do you wish you were more organized, but are not sure where to begin?  Give us a call, we can help you get here faster. Happy New Year & Cheers to getting organized!

Melissa Fortino