We didn’t know we needed a “ripening bin” to help us declutter.
Turns out we do.
Galina Sharapova/Getty Images
You know that one organizing tip that finally made you declutter your closet?
Photo:Galina Sharapova/Getty Images
Or that nugget of tidying truth that convinced you tostreamline your living room?
Or the cord-tidying trick that finally did away with the jumble of TV wires?
These are theorganizing tipsbehind their clients' “aha moments.”
Nikki Boyd / Photography by Katie Charlotte Photography
And now they can be yours too!
Here are more than a dozen life-altering pieces oforganizing advice, according to the experts.
Set a timer and then begin whatever organizing task you’ve been procrastinating.
Horderly
When you’re “on the clock” you might’t get distracted or move on to another activity.
“One client said that the ironing board in her bedroom had been bothering her for months.
It took around 40 seconds to put it away,” says Zaslow.
A timer set to a specific time limit can also be helpful.
“When a client feels overwhelmed or stuck, I suggest that we start with just 5 minutes.
“The one area I hear my clients gripe about the most is the kitchen counter.
Put down your phone and spend 10 minutes clearing the kitchen counter before getting ready for bed.
That way, youll have a clear surface before the morning crazies,” says Hay.
Routines like this can help tackle tasks that feel overwhelming.
Thats why coming up with routines that work for you is so important.”
Use this samemethod to declutterother common messy spaces in your home before bed.
When you get your new insurance policy, take an extra moment to shred the old one.
Organized people know that spending a little time organizing makes their lives a lot easier."
That’s why Hay recommends placing a bin beside your front door for junk mail.
Check out dmachoice.org and optoutprescreen.com."
“One of our biggest game-changing organization tips for this is the one-in, one-out rule.
If you’re bringing in something new, exchanging it with something old.
“If you touch something that you feel ‘meh’ about, dont put it back in its drawer.
Instead, drop it in a donation bin or trash,” says Hay.
It’s a simple way to declutter on the go, every day.”
When holding an item, ask yourself: Has this item served its purpose?
Does this item bring me joy?
Do I still use this item regularly?
“Grab a lipstick that makes you look washed out?
Read a book to your kids that they are bored of?
Reach for a reusable water bottle and remember that you don’t like using it?
Don’t put it back.
Find it a new home, outside of your home,” Hays explains.
Then, once it is full, take it to your local donation center and repeat the process.
Hord agreesespecially if you live with your family or roommates.
“If more than one person is using a space, labels are especially crucial.
Horderly
Use a Forget-Me-Not Basket
Boyd says this trick is a game-changer for forgetful clients.
But when we spotted herSki Slope Method of Organizingwithin its pages, it stopped us in our tracks.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of organizing, this tidying technique will help.
The goal: Break one giant to-do (i.e.
organize my entire home) into more manageable tasks.
Decide to start now and focus on one area to start.
