Is every drawer in your home a “junk drawer”?
Interior Designer Jeanette Knudsen has invited me to create blog posts around her beautiful graphics, which will feature a series of organizing tips over the next few months. Visit her website at www.designforalife.yourmarketingcoachonline.com for more tips and great design ideas from this amazing designer. Her company, Design For A Life Span specializes in redesigning and remodeling projects to help the senior population “age in place.” Call 480-695-1360 for more information.
If every drawer in your home is a junk drawer, it is time to get organized and clear the junk. In working with clients, I find that drawers that do not contain some kind of organizing insert often end up in a mess.
While I do not have a problem with one strategically placed junk drawer, allocated drawer space should be intentional and based on the principles of like-with-like and vicinity. Like-with-like is putting things together that logically are used together. Think pots with pans, spices with spices. Vicinity is the principle that says items should be stored as close as possible to the area in which they are used. For example: Spices and cooking oil should be close to the stove. Cleaning supplies should be under the sink. Coffee cups should be near the coffee maker.
3-Easy Steps to Organize a Junk Drawer:
1) Remove all garbage and broken items that are not repairable. Toss them out.
2) If there are items in there that belong somewhere else, remove them and place in a pile. Once finished, take those items to where they belong
3) Use the like-with-like theory. Pens, pencils with paper clips. Batteries with batteries. Keys with keys.
4) Use drawer inserts with separated trays or small vessels to hold miscellaneous small items
Drawer inserts come in a variety of materials including bamboo, customized wood, plastic, acrylic, wicker, cloth
Choose inserts that are:
1) Large enough to hold the items you want to place in them
2) Adjustable, if your drawer will allow for expansion
3) Functional, be careful when determining its use. The unit needs to create a more functional space, not just be an organizing gadget that takes up room
4) Small jars, empty spice containers, old film canisters, and mini- bowls can be very useful in drawers for holding small items that tend to slid around the drawer
If you need help setting up organizational systems that support you, your family, or your business, contact Andrea Brundage, Professional Organizer & Bringer of Calm. Visit www.ProfessionalOrganizerAZ.com for a free gift. Simple Organized Solutions offers virtual and group coaching as well as in-person hands-on organizing. For more information, call (480) 382-1085.