Better Organization Equals Less Stress: Are you feeling stressed and frustrated by  the clutter that surrounds you,  are you holding onto too many sentimental belongings, or getting bogged down in inefficiency – it doesn’t have to be that way! By taking just a few small steps, it’s possible to organize the house  with  lasting organizational changes that will make you feel in control and relaxed. So how do you keep items that are meaningful to you, without creating disorganization and chaos? The answer isn’t trash bags, but better organization systems. There should be a perfect home for everything you own. When you design the right closet, master closet or space everything falls into place and there’s a big payoff: True organization can save you  time and that means less stress.

Organize Your Stuff….Expand Your Space

Getting Started:

• Bedroom Closet: When organizing a clothes closet, place hangers in backwards and return items to the closet with the hanger facing forward. After six months, remove clothing that has not been worn (the “backward hangers”) and store elsewhere or give to charity.

• Home Office: Create and label hanging files that can be easily accessed to store receipts, bills, recipes and other loose papers to avoid unwanted accumulation of paper on desks and counters.

• Kitchen: Do you stack cans three deep in your cabinets and forget what you’ve got way in the back? Store canned goods and spices on their side in drawers to prevent the “food museum” in the back of the cabinet. You’ll avoid purchasing duplicates of foods and spices that were lost in the back.

• Kid’s room: Make sure rods and shelving are low enough to reach; an adjustable system will change along with the child’s needs as they grow.

• Garage: Use containers, racks, baskets and wall hooks to keep garage contents off the floor for safety and easy access.

Storage shelves, drawer organizers and file folders make your belongings easily accessible. Most of these things can be found at your local home improvement store or even at discount stores like Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target. (In some instances these items are considered “seasonal” and are only sold around the beginning of the school year. If you can’t find these organizational items when you need them, feel free to search the Internet, where these supplies are available all year round.) These inexpensive items can be installed around your home to make it look nicer and to keep you from losing your mind when you need to find something.

By having a well-organized home, you can save yourself quite a bit of stress. Removing unworn clothing from your closet will not only make it look nicer, but it will also give you more space for new clothing. File folders in your home office will ensure that you will be able to find all of your important documents when you need them. Drawer organizers in the kitchen will save you money by helping you to see all the food that you have so you won’t buy duplicates. By installing an adjustable rod in your closet, you can help your child develop a sense of independence as they choose their own clothes for each day. Finally, by keeping your garage organized, you will be able to keep your space clutter-free and make your garage a safer place to be.

These simple organization tips will help you to keep your sanity, whether you are trying to prepare a quick dinner or looking for a receipt when doing your taxes. With a little time and some organization supplies, you are sure to create a stress-free environment in your home.