Organizing the Closet for the Yo-yo Dieter

I was not much of an organizer.  I had trouble keeping my own room clean, let alone helping my kids keep their room clean.  I was not setting a good example for my children.  I had many questions going through my head.  How can I expect them to keep their room clean, when mine was not clean?  What is making it hard to clean my room?  What is stopping me from cleaning my room and keeping it tidy?  Once I started to really look at my “problem“ room, I came up with some answers to those questions.

I realized I was running out of room in my closet and drawers.  Why?  The obvious answer is that I have too much stuff.  I realized I was keeping all my clothes and never getting rid of anything.

 I guess you could call me a “Closet Hoarder.”  Did you hear that?  Yes, I just admitted I am a hoarder.  Now it is time to take charge of my hoarding instincts and change my ways.  I needed help.

I looked at various organizing sites.  Some sites talked about going through your room with an organizing system of 4 boxes with labels keep, throw away, give away, and does not belong here, so I Labeled my boxes with:

• Keep
• Throw away
• Give away
• Does not belong

My give away box was starting to have some items in it!  These were items that I really didn’t think looked good on me.  The color was wrong for me or the fit wasn’t right.  I had a few items in does not belong in my room and the throw away had those stained clothes or just looks too worn out.

The system seemed to be working.  However, as I put things back in to the drawers I realized that I still needed to reduce the amount of clothes.  My keep pile was too big.  I had to ask myself why?

I have gained and lost weight over the past years and as I go up and down in my weight, the clothes sizes change of course.  I have thrown away too large clothes only to have to go buy some more.  I do not want to keep spending money.  Therefore, as I get in my smaller clothes I need to put the “favorite” larger size items away.  I needed to organize my “keep” box by size, but only put “favorite” items in this box.  The “keep” organization labels:

Items I can wear now – goes in drawers and closet.

“Favorites” too big – These are too big items.  They go into one box stored in the garage.  I also keep those favorite “big” items because I like to sew and alter them to make them fit my new size.

“Next 10%” – These are the next size that I can get into when I lose 10% of my body weight.  They go into one box stored in my room as a reminder that this is my goal.

“Next 10%” XL – These are two small but when I reach my second 10% I will be able to pull out those favorite items.  This box goes in the garage.

I have pared down what is in my room and I have space to help me more easily clean my room.  I have an encouragement box to keep me on track of losing the weight.  This has helped me with organizing my room and still keeping favorite items to be worn again but not overwhelm my room with clutter.

The organizing that I accomplished helps me to be one step closer to being able to move with ease.

This blog provided by Guest Blogger – Tammy Eichenberger – Thanks Tammy!

Organizing A Shared Bedroom

Is the thought of organizing your children’s room overwhelming?  You are not the only one that is overwhelmed they are too!  Getting help with organizing can be one option.

I was in this situation.  For years, I had been cleaning my girls’ room every 3 to 4 months when I just could not deal with their mess anymore.  I would clean, have them clean, clean with them, and try to teach them how to clean.  Nothing seemed to work for long, because there just was not a clear plan of where things need to go, as well as, not enough space to put all their special items.

It was time to get them organized.  Before going out and buy storage boxes and garbage bags I knew I had to sit down and make a plan, as well as ask questions.

Bring the Family on Board

First, ask what does this room need?  Yes, the need to see the floor and not step on toys while trying to tuck your children in to bed is a need.  What else do you need?  For me, I needed more floor space in their room.

Second, ask your children what they need and want for their bedroom.  My children had a list of what they wanted:

• no bunk bed- they both want more headroom

• no desk- want to be able to lay in bed and work on homework or down at the kitchen counter

• lighter – one terrible offset light in room.

• more floor space would be nice

• separate rooms (not an option)

• access to the dresser drawers

• easy access to storage for: toys, art supplies, and other knickknacks

Tips – Furnishing Right

We compromised on the bed.  Instead of a bunk bed, we created an “L” shape loft bed.  The second bed would still be under the top bed but only partially.  My youngest daughter would be on top but she needed space in her bed for all her stuffed animals so we designed an extra wide loft bed with a wrap around shelf for her stuffed animals.  We designed our own loft bed with plywood on top of two, four by four sheet of white plastic covered press wood ”legs” (these became the head board and legs for the bottom bed)and two readymade 3 X 4 cubicles offset slightly to fill the 4 foot wide space and set back to back at four feet tall.  (The cubicles were reinforced on the back with a thin piece of plywood and then bolted to the top plywood)  This solid custom loft bed bed was made for under $150!  With the design ready, it was time to organize.

Read more: 6 Tips for Organizing Small Spaces

Spring Cleaning – Create a place for everything 

Everything was taken out of the girls’ room.  Dad created the loft bed as we went through and organized everything that would go back into the room. 

The “Create a place for everything” process started as we organized each drawer, box, or bag that had been in the room.  As we organized, we created four “boxes”:

1) Giveaway bag/box

2) Throwaway bags/box

3)”I can’t get rid of/this is special/I want to display it” box

4) “Doesn’t belong in the girl’s room” box.

Once the loft bed was finished we put the mattress up and shelves for the top “bunk.”  We made the bed and then went through the seven garbage sacks of stuffed animals that were to go back in the shelves around the bed.  My youngest daughter got rid of a few of the stuffed animals!  Now that she has a spot for them, it is ok.

Storage for Under-Bed Areas – make it accessible

After going through all the books, toys, art supplies, trophies awards, pictures and created a spot for each category in the cubicles.  Since the three by four cubicles were back to back, each girl got a side.  This gives them 12 cubes to organize their special items.  Using cloth storage cubes can help the cubicles look cleaner.

Giveaway bags and boxes were given away, garbage bags were taken to the garbage.  The rest of the boxes were put in their correct places.

The room has a clean open look and they actually use their room now!  We are one step closer to being able to move without too much difficulty. – Article by Guest Blogger Tammy Eichenberger

6 Tips for Organizing a Small Space When Moving

Organizing and staging a home is easiest to do when you move into a new space. You may take your time and figure out where furniture and items best fit or are best displayed. But if you have small spaces or small rooms and furniture that wasn’t originally designed for the space, it may be difficult and confusing to know where to start. Here are six simple tips for organizing a small space when you relocate or move.

• Make your furniture work double-time.

Use simple pieces, bookshelves and furniture, for more than one use. A desk could be an extra table or buffet sidebar, baskets and bins can hold files as well as kitchen appliances or produce, and couches and oversize loveseats can be used as bedrooms or choose a sofa that’s also a pullout bed for guests and extra space yet it alleviates the necessity for an extra guest room.

• Find hidden storage compartments.

Use window seating as extra spaces at the dining room table or find a table that has drawers and shelving underneath to keep linens, appliances and pillows.

• Find space in unlikely places.

If you have a small room, use bookshelves that reach to the ceiling, or leave space for storage baskets and decorative boxes at the top of bookshelves and cabinets. Find bookshelves that house everything you would need for one wall including a television, a possible combination desk, media center and library all in one. Use pockets under the stairs for at closet space and open spaces and hallways for additional bookshelves.

• Repurpose children’s furniture.

You can spend a lot of money on furniture that’s just designed and decorated for children. This can cost a lot of money and take up a lot of space once the child no longer finds the design appealing. Using furniture for multiple uses all through a child’s adolescence and then repurpose it in the home as a desk, table, or nightstand in the future keeps costs low and clutter at bay.

• Use furniture that compacts into itself.

Nesting tables, trunks, and coffee tables that house Ottomans all provide the extra seating or space when needed but can be easily tucked away for later.

• Use small rooms and small spaces to create an additional living alcove.

If you have an unused kitchen nook, deck area, sun porch, or corner of the bedroom, use it to create a new ambiance and space to provide less clutter for the furniture in other rooms.

For more tips or to receive information about moving and organizing, feel free to contact me anytime.

How Much Does it Cost to Move

Moving is all relative depending on where you’re going and what you’re bringing along. Take it from someone who has moved 52 times herself, I know the stress and the struggles that people can go through when it’s time to relocate and move. Whether it’s across town, across the country or across the ocean, I’ve helped dozens of homeowners carefully pack up and go from boxes to dinner parties in less than 48 hours. Imagine what relief it is to not have to worry about packing, and unpacking once you reach your destination.

If you’re planning on moving yourself you need to consider shipping costs, gas and maintenance, hotels and food if you’re traveling long-distance, truck rental costs or movers. With one simple phone call I can offer information on how much it would cost to relocate from one location to another. I specialize in the San Francisco and Los Angeles area but have helped dozens of folks all over the country relocate, reorganize, and set up.

I take the stress out of moving. You don’t have to worry about broken dishes or furniture, mismanaged products and items, property being put in the wrong place; I handle it all and organize it for you once you reach your destination. Now is the busiest time of year running March through September so make sure to give me a call today to get on the schedule or to find out if using a professional relocator and organizer is something you might be interested in.

Relocating and moving doesn’t have to be expensive and it certainly can be stress-free when you choose the right mover and organizer. I’m much more than a simple property mover; I realistically organize your life so that you are better prepared as soon as you arrive. With over 10 years of experience to management in all types of moves from residential to commercial, we certainly can handle any type of relocation.

Designing a closet system to fit your individual needs helps you keep your clothing/shoes organized.  Everything has a place to go and so it’s easier to maintain.

In my last post we talked about the purging process... today we’re going to talk about the designing process.

In this particular instance, for the Master Bedroom closet, we needed drawer space and a great deal of shoe storage.  While in the guest bedroom, we needed short hanging space and shelves for regular storage and some overflow of shoes. At Containerstore.com, you can input the measurements of your closet, choose the kind and type of shelving and accessories you need.  You also receive a complete product list and installation instructions.

Here is the design we proposed to the client for his Master Bedroom… for the guest bedroom, a similar design minus the drawers and shorter hanging poles were stipulated.

And, the finished master closet now looks like this: 

Good luck with your closet organizing project!  If you hire PHA to reorganize your closet, mention this blog and you will receive a 10% discount on labor!!

Happy Organizing… and, don’t forget – A HAPPY MOVE IS AN ORGANIZED MOVE!

Closet Organizing – Sort & Then Purge

A few weeks ago PHA was working with a client who asked us if we install closet systems…  And, we do…. But, before we could get started, we needed to sort and purge as the first step in the process.

Master Closet

By sorting like things together first, you are able to visualize exactly how many articles of clothing you have by color, style and size.  This makes the purging process much quicker.  In a separate pile we place items that are stained, ripped, or frayed.  We then work with the client to make decisions about what to keep and what to dispose of.

Items designated for donations are taken to their destination that same day. Items that need cleaning or fixing are placed in a bag by the front door for the homeowner to deliver. Then we count the number of items left (how may shirts, pants, coats, etc., including items going to the dry cleaners) so we know how many new hangers of each type to purchase.

Measurements of the closet(s) to be installed are then taken.  PHA likes to shop at the Container Store for their Elfa System – before I go into the store, I go online, input the dimensions and design the system based on the needs of the client. Because there were only two long bathrobes, the homeowner and I decided to forgo long hanging space as the robes would go on hooks in the bathroom. This gave us more room for double hanging rods.

Master Closet floor

In this instance, for the Master Bedroom closet, we needed drawer space and a great deal of shoe storage. In the guest room, we needed regular storage and some overflow for shoe storage.

The next step was to pack all items for storage while water damage repairs took place.

Stay tuned for the next installment where you will see the closet designs presented to the homeowner for their approval…

Happy Organizing!!

Organizing Your Kitchen– Step 2

Divide Your Drawers!

Step 2 of kitchen organization – Divide your drawers so you can see what items you have, retrieve what you need easily, and have a space for everything to be in its place. Of course, purging of items we don’t use has already taken place!!

So often people begin to prepare a meal and lose an extra 10-15 minutes a day looking for a cooking utensil. Do this day after day and it’s no wonder that many decide it’s easier to call for take-out!  But, if you spend some time organizing your kitchen, a healthy, home-made meal can be created in a snap.

What utensils do you use most often? – Those are the utensils that should be in a jar as close to your stove as possible…. I regularly use wooden spoons, tongs and a skimmer.  I have a really tiny kitchen (did I mention tiny?) so my tools are opposite my stove – but, I just need to turn around to reach any of those items!! For those of you lucky to have larger kitchens, keep the utensil jar sitting adjacent to the stove.

What about other kitchen tools? I use drawer organizers to keep them separated, easy to reach and very easy to see.

When organizing kitchens, it’s important to put like things together… so, if you are connoisseur of wine – make sure your wine opener, cork stoppers and aerators are all together.  Bakers should have their measuring cups, spoons, egg separators, flour sifters, etc. all in the same spot.

The same rule applies to pots and pans – Baking sheets, cupcake tins, cake rounds, etc. should live together – getting some dividers from your favorite home improvement or organizing store will help you divide and separate. Instead of lying flat, they will be standing and much easier to pull out.  Don’t forget to keep frying pans separate from stock pots and sauce pans.

PHA would love to help you organize your kitchen for the Holidays.  Mention this post before November 1^st and get a 10% labor discount!

How much is too much? Many of us accumulate things but do not get rid of items the new purchase is replacing.  Or, somebody gives the latest gadget that is more on “looking cool” than functional.

When it comes to clothes, someone once said that if you haven’t worn it in a year – get rid of it. Let’s try this approach in the kitchen.  If you haven’t used an item in two years – you probably won’t use it… EVER.

Step 1 of kitchen organization – Purge, Purge & then Purge Again!

We all hear this charge, but, do we follow through?  I know that it is much easier to purge when you are going through the moving process, but, we simply must take the time to purge our kitchens of items we no longer use.  These items are taking up way too much valuable real estate in our cabinets. Space that could be used for items we need daily.

How many duplicates of items do you have? – How many sets of dishes? How many glasses that are not part of a set?  And, mugs – mugs – and more mugs.  I own six mugs that I use regularly.  They don’t match, but they do coordinate . I think mugs are the worst creator of clutter in kitchen cabinets (half empty cereal boxes are another culprit).

What about other kitchen tools? How many whisks, can openers, colanders,  wooden spoons, broken knives, measuring cups and spoons and bent silverware do you really need?  Seriously, let’s let others who really need your duplicate items have them – donate to your favorite charity and feel good about yourself.  Don’t forget to recycle items that no longer work.

If you think you’ve purged enough, and still have clutter in your cabinets, Think up, not flat.  If you have wall space, purchase a grid and hang things up!  Gadgets are easy to see.  And by using them regularly, they tend to stay pretty clean.

If you’re having trouble getting started… set up an alarm clock for 15 minutes… after all, anyone can do anything for 15 minutes!  And, if you’re still having trouble, call PHA – we’d love to help you out!!

Are you a DIYer and want to pack your own moving boxes?  Here are some tips for packing those boxes efficiently. And, for those who are concerned about the environment, watch for another post on the new “moving crates” that are coming into vogue!

There is a rhyme and reason to pack a box correctly so you don’t break or damage things.  We all know this, yet, many of us don’t know the tricks or tools of the trade. So, here are some of my tips. BTW, it pains me to watch TV programs that show people packing items in wrong-sized boxes, without proper packing materials….wish they would do a little research so people could learn how to do it the right way!

Also, before we begin, always locate your important documents and jewelry (like birth certificates, copies of insurance information, wills, deeds or trusts and passports, etc.) and keep them with you so you know where they are at all times.

Let’s talk BOXES!  Two different sized boxes that are stronger than other boxes are referred to as:  Dish Pack and Book boxes.  They are double walled corrugated boxes designed to handle the weight and fragility of your dishware, stemware, collectibles and books.  And, please purchase boxes that are made with post-consumer recycled materials.

Other items you’ll need to properly pack a box are:

1. Unprinted newspaper
2. Plenty of packing tape
3. Bubble wrap for fragile items
4. Black markers
5. Ziploc bags in various sizes

Important TIPS FOR PACKING

• Using boxes of uniform size allows you to very efficiently pack a moving truck!  Don’t forget to securely tape the bottoms and tops of your boxes.  And, make sure you fill boxes to the top so they can stack on top of each other.  Boxes should be packed tight so that the contents do not move.

• Books should be packed in book boxes standing up as they do on a shelf. Start with larger books first and graduate down to smaller books.  Never put hardcover books on their backs as you deteriorate the spine!  Fill in the box (where the smaller books are) with soft, lightweight items like stuffed animals, or small pillows, or even crumpled unprinted newspaper.

• Glassware can be packed in either a book box or a dish pack.  Wrap the individual item in bubble first and then wrap again in newsprint.  But, there are some rules

1. When loading a dish pack – place two layers of crumpled newsprint on the bottom, then place your larger items first (like tall vases, pitchers, etc.) then place another layer of crumpled newsprint. Now add your next layer of glassware. Finish with another layer of crumpled newsprint before closing box.
2. For really fragile china and glassware, use a series of book boxes. Again, layer crumpled newsprint on the bottom, bubble plate or glass, double wrap item with newsprint and place in the box.  Dishes always stand on their edge -never flat.  Same with glasses, up & down, never flat.  Then, place two book boxes inside a dish pack for excellent protection.  There will be open space on the sides of the dish pack. This is a great place to pack cutting boards, cookie sheets, roasting pans, etc.

• Food and pantry items – if they’re glass jars or canned goods, pack in a book box. If they’re packaged cereals, pasta, rice, etc., you can pack them in a medium size box. Don’t be afraid to use Ziploc bags for open containers!

• Toiletries, if they’re open, should be placed in a ziploc bag. I use the large ones for shampoo, conditioner, etc.; medium bags for liquid soaps, bar soaps, etc. and small ones for children’s medicines, toothpaste & brushes… you get the idea. These, too, get packed in book boxes.

• Clothing - most clothes can stay in their dresser drawers.  However, if you need to pack them, use a medium size box and label accordingly.  I always place a clean piece of newsprint on the bottom and then in between his and her items if they are being packed within the same box.

For the past twelve years, this moving organizer has packed or unpacked well over 10,000 boxes…. I am happy to answer any of your questions on how to pack specialty items… I think I’ve seen it all so, please, don’t hesitate to call!!

Organizing Receipts for Business Expenses

Even though the focus of PHA is on moving and relocation to provide organized moves in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City – PHA also works with many other clients and their varied organizational needs. And, I am often asked how I manage all of my receipts for my business.

Here’s how PHA typically organizes business receipts for data entry or to give to my CPA:

The categories used for organizing the different types of receipts are based on my business’ Chart of Accounts – The chart of accounts is usually determined by the CPA or other tax professional when a business first becomes active.

Sort and organize – into those categories by separating into different piles… auto expenses are broken down into separate sub-categories: tolls; auto repairs; fuel, etc.  Another set of piles is for supplies – this is generally broken down between office supplies and other supplies based on industry. You get the idea….

Payroll receipts…is an extremely important category because of quarterly tax payments that are required by City, State and Federal governments.  Also, if you use a payroll company, the vendor cost to them is usually split into different categories – the actual cost of payroll to the employee; the taxes paid by the employer; taxes paid by the employee; cost to mail checks to business; cost to direct-deposit (if using) paychecks; and the monthly cost of the service.

Keeping those receipts neat – PHA does not like uneven piles of receipts… they become cumbersome in a filing cabinet; there is an increased risk of losing something; and it just doesn’t look nice!

Here’s my tip – use scrap paper sheets, tape the receipts to the sheet like you see in the photo.  Keep your sheets organized by account number and don’t forget about CASH – many times those purchases are tax deductible.

When your monthly bank or credit card statement arrives (and we will talk about electronic organization in another post!), place the appropriate sheets of receipts behind the statement.

By having everything organized by month, and by account, your bookkeeper or tax professional will have an easy time reconciling your information.

Happy Organizing!  And, remember, an organized move is a happy move