Hartz Homes knows that move-in day is a great time to start an organization plan. Otherwise, you’re likely to spend a ton of time sifting through things over and over just to find what you’re looking for. What a waste of time and energy! The time you spend to organize initially will pay off in spades down the road. Here are a few “new home resolutions” to help you get organized…and stay organized.
Purge Ruthlessly
Nothing makes messes faster, takes up space more, and requires as much dusting as clutter. In fact, clutter is the bane of an organized person’s existence.
Evaluate your belongings regularly and get rid of anything you don’t actually use. The shirt that’s sat in your closet for over a year, the dish set that’s chipped beyond recognition, and the old posters from college that are rolled up under your bed are all belongings you should consider throwing out or donating.
What’s more, be brutal when deciding what to keep and what not to keep. You don’t have time to be wishy-washy. Highly organized people are usually good at making snap judgments about their stuff.
If you can’t purge every weekend, just do it whenever it seems logical. For instance, moving day, spring cleaning and when switching your seasonal clothes out of your closet are great opportunities to purge.
Design Organization Plans by Ease of Use
Organize spaces based on what you use most. For example, the practical pair of shoes you wear nearly every day would go right at the front of their shoe rack, while the occasional ones are pushed to the back. Why dig for something you use all the time when it can be easily accessible?
Everything from closets to kitchen drawers can be optimized for ease of use. For instance, oven mitts logically should go in the drawer by the oven– that way, you don’t have to move your feet to grab what you need!
Make or Designate a Spot for Everything
Socks, pens, TV remotes: Everything should have a place in your new home. Not only do you want a spot for your belongings, but you can consider making them. From installing drawer organizers to adding closet dividers, make sure there’s somewhere to return your belongings after using them.
As you can imagine, this habit goes hand-in-hand with organizing a space by ease of use.
Look for Organizational Tools
Organizational tools make life easier, from magnet strips for kitchen knives to under-the-bed shoe bins to cord solutions. Caution: don’t get too many organizational items, as they can actually add to the clutter! Prioritize the things you use often and the spaces that really need the help.
Embrace Labels
If you want to know what you’re looking at – think of that box high in your closet shelf – use labels.
Crafting supplies, paperwork and cords (we all have what seems like a million things plugged in at our homes) are all great candidates for labels.
Start and Finish Projects Right Away
Living in disorder for any amount of time can be stressful. So, place a priority on organizational and cleaning projects. What’s more, once you start such a task, don’t stop until it’s done.
Set yourself goals for getting things done. That way, you don’t procrastinate on organizing until your home is back to being as chaotic as it was before.
Please check out these new Hartz Homes communities and their schools:
Armitage Pointe of Addison, Schools
Bella Vista Townhomes of Bolingbrook, Schools
Lago Vista of Lockport, Schools
Leigh Creek of New Lenox, Schools
Marquis Pointe of Montgomery, Schools
Marywood Meadows of Montgomery, Schools
Nantucket Lakes of New Lenox, Schools
Park West of Manteno, Illinois Schools
Playa Vista of Plainfield, Schools
Shannon Estates of New Lenox, Schools
Sky Harbor of New Lenox, Schools
Whisper Creek of Mokena, Schools
Hartz Homes has new home communities in:
Addison, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Aurora, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Bolingbrook, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Lockport, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
New Lenox (Chicago area new home construction)
Manteno, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Mokena, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Montgomery, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Plainfield, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)