Organize and Declutter Your Kids Rooms

How to Organize and Declutter Your Kids’ Rooms

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Are you constantly surrounded by the untamable chaos of your kids’ rooms, feeling overwhelmed by the clutter that seems to multiply every day? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, our ClutterBGone experts will provide you with six tips on how to effectively organize and declutter your kids’ rooms, even when you have a busy schedule and little ones running around. Discover essential strategies and practical solutions that will help you regain control and create a more harmonious and functional space for your children. Get ready to embrace a tidier and more peaceful environment for your family!

Have clear goals      

Define specific objectives for decluttering your kids’ rooms, such as creating designated play areas or organizing toys by category to promote easy access and cleanup. This clarity will not only guide your efforts but also empower you to tackle the decluttering process more efficiently.

Involve your kids in the process  

Encourage your children to participate in the decluttering process. Teach them about the importance of tidiness and involve them in decision-making, allowing them to choose which toys or items to keep or donate. This will make them more accountable for their belongings and develop a sense of responsibility.

Use categories

Divide belongings into categories (such as toys, school supplies, clothes, books, etc) and eliminate duplicates, broken items, or things your kids have outgrown. Simplify by keeping only the essentials and items that hold sentimental value.

Establish storage systems

Invest in practical storage solutions, such as colorful bins, sturdy shelves, and labeled containers, to maximize organization and create a visually appealing space for your kids. By establishing clear zones for different items, you’ll be teaching your children the importance of returning things to their designated places.

Organize and Declutter your kids rooms

Rotate toys   

To minimize clutter and keep things fresh, consider implementing a toy rotation system. Store a portion of your kids’ toys in containers or bins and periodically swap them out. This helps maintain a sense of novelty and reduces the number of toys out at once, making cleanup easier for both you and your children.

Turn it into a regular routine          

Foster good habits by incorporating a daily or weekly clean-up routine into your children’s lives. Encourage them to tidy their rooms before bedtime or designate a specific time for decluttering activities that suits your family’s schedule. Consistency is key to establishing a sense of order and teaching your kids the importance of maintaining an organized living space.

As most parents know, keeping a clean and organized house with young kids can feel like an ongoing battle. However, by implementing these tips, you can regain control over the clutter and create a more harmonious environment for your family. Remember, involving your kids, setting clear goals, categorizing belongings, investing in practical storage solutions, and establishing a consistent clean-up routine are key steps toward achieving an organized space.

However, if you find yourself in need of additional assistance, hiring a professional organizer can provide invaluable guidance. Our ClutterBGone team is here to help you navigate the decluttering process and learn effective organizing tricks. Embrace the journey to a clutter-free home and enjoy the benefits of a more organized and peaceful living space for your entire family!

Star Metro Land Media – Tips to Declutter your Workspace

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February 2019 – For many a post-secondary student, the start of the new year will bring with it a renewed sense of scholastic productivity. Yet if it’s a messy workspace that’s holding them back from academic success, a thorough de-cluttering might be the resolution to prioritize.
Read more…

Resolve to Get Organized This Year

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resolve to get organized

With the new year fast approaching a lot of you will be making resolutions to make 2019 better than 2018 was. If you are one of those that makes New Years resolutions, then I know a lot of you will be resolving to get organized this year. In order to avoid being in the same cluttered mess at the end of January, here are some tips on how to help you stick with your clutter free resolution.

Know why you want to be organized

Jot down the main reasons for wanting to get organized. resolve to get organizedDo you want to have more time to spend with your family or friends? Do you want to reduce your frustration and anxiety levels when you can’t find things? Will being more organized improve your relationships? Will you save money on past due and interest charges and improve your credit rating? Whatever the reason, write them down and keep the list in a conspicuous place until the task is completed. It will be a constant reminder to you.

Tackle one room at a time

Rather than running around the house picking up clutter, pick the one room that causes you the most grief. Start on that room. Be realistic about how much you can give to the task at one time. With every drawer you organize, with every pile you make disappear or with any space you open up give yourself a pat on the back and realize the step you have taken towards an organized and clutter free pace.

Give, store or sell?

There are so many ways to rid yourself of the items you are not going to keep. Family members may want some of the items as a keepsake. Any items that are in good working order or aren’t worn could be sold in a consignment shop or on line. Many charities would love to receive your gently used items to restock their shelves after the holidays.

Get any help you need

A lot of the clients that ClutterBGone has worked with in the past could not have done it alone and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Enlist the help of friends or family if you feel you just can’t get it done yourself. You can also hire a professional organizing service like ClutterBGone. We can get you organized in no time with our highly skilled team just like we have with hundreds of satisfied clients in the GTA.

So, if you have resolved to get organized in 2019, good for you! Keep these tips in mind. And if you need professional help to get organized just contact us here to get the ball rolling. We love what we do!

Getting And Staying Organized For The Holidays

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Image result for christmas images
Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone and maybe you’re already getting tired of the holiday ads on TV. It’s hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner. We all know that the holidays around Christmas are the most stressful of the year. Here are a few ideas to help stay calm and organized during this hectic time.

Holiday Shopping

stay organized during the holidaysThe shopping centers will confirm that a lot of you put off the holiday shopping until the last minute. Set some time aside to get it done earlier.  Calendarize it if you need to and treat it like an appointment – no changes.  Arrange a babysitter if need be or if you’re able to book an afternoon off work, even better.  The shopping malls get crazy with each passing day, as you know.  Last minute shopping is the perfect recipe for stress over the holidays and for purchasing items that tend to lead to clutter.

Gift Wrapping

Gather all of your wrapping supplies and keep them in one place.  Make a list of what you are short of and get out to buy what you need before the selection is minimal in the stores.  A basket or even a box will do to hold the tape, ribbons, bows, etc. that you will need.  I use an old cookie tin for bows to keep them from being flattened.  Gently tie all of your rolls of wrapping paper together.  Prepare a ‘wrapping station’ somewhere in the house and bring all of the gifts to this area for wrapping.  Everyone will know where the station is and you will not have to hunt down the supplies when other people wrap gifts.

Meal time

Christmas to me is all about the meal with family and friends. Sure, the gifts can be nice but there is nothing like the laughs and conversations you have around the dinner table. Make a list now of everything that you will need for dinner.  If you order a fresh bird for dinner, get it ordered soon to ensure the type and size is available. If wine is on your list, you can expect crowds at the stores so get out there early while your favourite is still in stock and avoid the long line-ups.  Don’t forget the extras like the cranberry sauce and rolls.  The Christmas meal is one of my favorites of the year.

Do you have room for the new arrivals?

Now is the time to go through the toys or clothes of your kids and purge what is no longer usable or just doesn’t fit any longer.  You know family is going to spoil the kids with a lot of gifts so make room now and reduce the stress of trying to make everything fit into the same space later.  Have the kids get involved.  It will build their excitement leading up to the big day. Don’t forget about your own closet too.

Gift Giving

I’m sure you have already given plenty of thought to what you are going to purchase for your loved ones.  Many of us anguish and plead for hints or ideas trying to give that special gift.  Many items over the holidays are returned or even worse, not used at all and end up adding the to clutter that people already have.  When in doubt gift cards are always appreciated and with the newer consumer laws most will not have an expiry date.

The holidays are traditionally a very stressful time for most of us but with a little bit of planning we can reduce the stress and stay organized during this time.  If you need assistance in getting ready for Christmas there is still time.  Contact us here to see how we can help.

 

Is Clutter Affecting Your Relationships?

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clutter and relationships

In many of the project’s ClutterBGone has worked on, we’ve seen the impact that clutter has on relationships.  Clutter can have a negative impact on family and friends and can be a factor in a deteriorating relationship. Here are a few ways that clutter can affect a relationship.

Clutter makes you feel tired and depressed

Clutter is overwhelming. Most people living with clutter just can’t find the energy to get started let alone declutter an entire area. Clearing the clutter and living in an organized space gives you a feeling of accomplishment and gives you the energy to do what is important to you. Clutter is also depressing. Feelings of hopelessness can increase with clutter. Relief can come, at some extent, from getting organized and reducing the clutter in your lives. A new, organized space gives a feeling of starting anew with a renewed sense of energy that your family and friends will see right away.

Procrastination

Most disorganized people are procrastinators. Everything is left to the last minute or even later. They find it difficult to put things away immediately and leave it until the clutter has grown into a pile that seems impossible to get to the bottom of. Bills get paid late or not even at all. Interest charges mount, your credit rating is negatively affected and we know that finances are the biggest cause of arguments in a marriage. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to turn this around with a system that we create just for you.

Harmony at home

Clutter is also a cause of arguments at home. clutter and relationshipsThe home may always look like a bomb has gone off. Even though your home may be clean, clutter can make it look messy and dirty. If one partner is a neat freak and the other let’s clutter dominate then we have a recipe for arguments. Let’s clear out the clutter, get organized and reduce the things that put a strain on relationships. Lord knows there is enough of those already!

Clutter is isolating

Many people who live with clutter admit that they don’t want to have people over. They are embarrassed with the condition of their home. Social contacts get reduced and you start to miss out on important social activities. Relationships are important to our mental well being. Don’t let clutter rule your social life.

Don’t let clutter negatively affect your family and friends. Let ClutterBGone show you how to declutter your life and improve your relationships. Just contact us here to get things started.

How Do My Friends Stay So Organized?

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Do you have a friend that seems to be always organized and clutter free? Do you pop in sometimes unexpectedly and their home always looks so neat and tidy? There’s no secret to how they do it but continue reading and I’ll share how you can do it too.

One in, one out

This could be the mantra of ClutterBGone, especially with clothing.Related image Unless you are replacing your entire wardrobe, you need to get rid of one piece of clothing for every new one you bring into your home. This doesn’t only apply to clothing, same goes for all other items entering the home. If you are bringing in an item to replace one that isn’t working, make sure you are putting the old one out as soon as the new one comes in.

Be prepared to donate

I keep a box or bag in my home for items I want to donate, it’s clearly marked “Donate” so all family members know where it can be found. We constantly place items in it that we no longer need or use. Once filled or every couple of weeks or so, we take it in to our local donation center and start again. It helps to keep the house clear of items that are not used by any of us.

Keep the counters clear

Cluttered counters or any horizontal surfaces can make an entire home look cluttered no matter how tidy the rest of the house is. It’s so easy to put something down on a surface with good intentions to get back to it later but never do. Keep all your flat surfaces clear of all clutter to maintain a neat and organized look.

Shop with a purpose

Never go shopping without a list and a need. Remember the old saying, don’t go shopping on an empty stomach? The same holds true for shopping of any kind, not just groceries. Without a purpose to go shopping you will bring home more than you want or need. This just adds expense and clutter to your life.

Tidy up when you leave a room

Pick up everything when you leave a room and put them where they belong.Related image Dirty dishes, books and magazines, electronic devices, everything. It takes just a few seconds and will help keep your rooms looking neat and organized. You may have to drill this into your spouse and kids a few times but soon they will get into the habit as well.

So, you see there are no real secrets to how your friends keep their homes looking so organized and clutter free. It just takes a bit of knowledge and practice. ClutterBGone works throughout the GTA and has a few other tips we would love to share with you. Just contact us here to get started on keeping your home clutter free.

 

Back To School Organization

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back to school organizing

Whether you’re a parent that loves to have your kids home for the summer or a parent that can’t wait for the school year to begin, it’s time to get the kids organized for back to school. Being organized at the start of the year will lead to organization throughout the school year.

Leading up to school starting

I’ll bet there have been little to no restrictions on bed curfew through most of the summer. Start to wean them back on to a schedule a week or two ahead of school opening so they are not dragging their you know what from the very start of school.  You know your kids and their interests. Plan on which extracurricular activities they’re going to participate in during the school year and keep in mind that these activities, although beneficial, can impact their grades so make sure your child can balance both school and activities they participate in.

Shopping for school

Back to school shopping can be fun as well as daunting.  back to school organizingTry to purchase only what you require to start the year as you will find additional items need to be purchased as the year gets under way.  Try to have one binder for each subject or at the least have dividers to separate the subjects in one binder.  Remember the one in, one out rule on clothing too. Teens have an opinion and are not afraid to give it so have them come along when shopping.  It will go easier when they have some input. Bring your patience and negotiation skills as well as your wallet.

Study space

Students need a clean and quiet area to study in – no matter what they will tell you.  Set aside an area that is clear of all clutter and is relatively quiet for studying and have the student choose the time of day they want to study.  Giving them some input stands a better chance of them following the schedule.  Have this area stocked with the “tools of the trade” (pens, paper, etc.) so there are less interruptions during this study time.  A planner in this area can also be helpful to keep track of what is due when and which days of the week sports fall on.

Be organized prior to each day

Pack what is required the night before.  back to school organizingThis may be a challenge for you and your kids, but if you remember when you were a teen every minute of sleep in the morning is needed.  Packing the evening before will ensure that they have everything for the day so when they blow out of the house in the morning like a hurricane they will have all they need.  Throw a few healthy snacks into their bag, so when hunger sets in there is a lesser chance they will head to the junk food machines.

Teens have been through this before but still need assistance and sometimes a bit of a push to get ready for the new school year.  Making sure they are ready and organized will give them a head start and perhaps teach them a bit about being organized.  ClutterBGone has assisted many families in getting homes, rooms and home offices organized for the start of the school year.  If you require assistance you can reach us at info@clutterbgone.ca or 905-642-5669.

Stay Organized Through The Holidays

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Organized holidays

 

With the end of the year upon us it is easy to let things get into a disorganized state. The holidays are hectic with family and friends coming and going, parties to attend and the many other things that capture our attention at this time of the year. Or maybe you are more like me and like to just put your feet up and relax during this time. It is so easy to find yourself a little more disorganized at this time of the year so here are a few things that will take just minutes but will save you a lot of time later.

New gifts of clothing

We all get new pieces of clothing at Christmas (whether they come from Santa or from yourself) but don’t put them away until you have discarded something for every new piece coming in. Remember my one in, one out rule? Following this simple rule will ensure you don’t have a disorganized drawer or closet later in the new year.

New toys for the kids

Same rule applies to the kids toys. If you didn’t have time to go through their toys ahead of Christmas, then do so before putting the new toys away. Discard the damaged, broken toys and set aside the toys they no longer play with or are too old for. Donation sites would love to have these in the new year as their shelves will be bare now too.

Be charitable after Christmas as well as before

Charities often look for donations after Christmas when their shelves have been depleted just like the retail stores. They would love to have your clothing, your kids toys and the food bank will need anything you didn’t use over the holidays – unopened of course and non perishable. Be charitable and stay organized.

All of us at ClutterBGone hope you had a great Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year! If you need help getting organized in the new year or if you just require a little tune up you can reach us here.

How To Organize Your Kid’s Bedroom

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Keeping your child’s bedroom organized and clutter-free can sometimes feel like a fulltime job. There’s no need for it to be that way though if you just follow a few of our handy tips below.

1-Look through the eyes of your child

Like a photographer, you should take a different view of your child’s room to realize what it’s like through their eyes. It’s a good idea to get down to their eye level and take a good look at the room from their vantage point to see what they see. It’s important to remember that your child is smaller and adult organizing systems may not be suited for them. Many small children have a hard time reaching coat hangers, pulling out dresser drawers, and opening and closing large closet doors etc. You need to put yourself in the child’s shoes and use systems which are suitable for children rather than adults. You may want to take the doors off of the closet, purchase children’s-sized coat hangers and lower the clothing rods.

kids under bed storage

2-Work your way up

Unless your child’s already six-feet tall you should organize their room from the bottom to the top. Keep all of their most popular toys and clothing items closer to their level and the floor. You can do this by storing these things in lower-level drawers and containers. The higher levels should be reserved for the items they don’t use as much. This will make it easier for them to put things away.

kids organized wall unit

3-Ask your child for advice

Since your child is going to be asked to do his or her part to keep their room clean you should also ask their advice on how to do it. Listen to their input and ask them for ideas. If you just enter the room like a drill sergeant and start hollering orders your method may not be too effective. You’ll both be a lot better off in the long run if you can teach your child some lifelong organizational skills. Try to make room-cleaning a learning and fun activity. You can help do this by creating a daily checklist for the child to tick off after each chore is done. Ask your child how they’d like to keep the room clean and then go from there, incorporating some of your own ideas along the way. Since the child will feel they came up with a system that makes sense to them there’s a better chance they’ll stick to it.

Neat Kids Closet

3-Sort things out

Most children’s rooms are relatively small and there’s not a lot of natural storage space. But you’ll soon find your child wants to keep everything they own, especially when it comes to toys. Take the time to sort through their toys and clothing and get rid of the things that are no long used or needed. You could always give them to the needy or a charity at the same time. If you have enough storage room elsewhere in your home you may also want to sort things out seasonally. For instance, your child doesn’t need to store their winter clothing in the room during the middle of summer. If possible, store these items somewhere else and then make a change in sync with the seasons. When it comes to the toys you may want to take just a few things at a time instead of hauling them all away at once. This will help keep the peace.

organize Kids Desk Room

4-Provide enough storage containers

While we’re on the subject of toys, you can’t really complain about clutter if there’s nowhere for the child to store them. Make sure your son or daughter has a specific storage area for each toy. You may want to provide them with shoebox containers and/or larger bins for storage. You can also use supply them with specialty organizers for items such as DVDs, comic books, magazines, and video games etc. Also, it’s a good idea to tell the child they’re welcome to play with another toy once their current one is put away in the proper place. Just make sure the child can easily put something away without any hindrances. If it takes little effort to put their toys away there’s a better chance they’ll do it.

kids storage bins

5-Use labels

That label maker you received as an anniversary present may actually be useful after all. You can make labels for your child’s belongings and place them where their items are supposed to go. If the child isn’t reading age yet you could use a computer printer to create pictures of items such as socks, sweaters, shoes, and toys etc. Simply place the labels on the storage containers that are to be used.

kids labels organizing

6-Create a daily routine

You can make cleaning chores easier if they’re incorporated into a daily routine. For example, the morning routine could consist of making or straightening out the bed while the evening routine sees the child putting his or her dirty clothes in the laundry basket before going to sleep. Toys can also be put away at bedtime to keep the room clutter-free.

Have an organizing question?  If you have an organizing question or would like the help of a professional organizer, you can contact me here.

Protect Your Kids Online With Back to School Safety Tips

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It’s that time of the year when we have to think about getting our children organized for back to school.  Not only does this mean back to school shopping for clothing items and school accessories, but it also means thinking of your child’s needs for mobile technology

With the purchase of mobile technology and the use of the Internet, getting your ground rules organized for mobile/Internet safety is critical.  Cyber bullying is on the rise and with most children social networking and media sharing are common every day events.  As such its important get some ground rules organized with your children to keep them safe. 

infographic-back-to-school-guide_0This Infographic, courtesy of Kaspersky.com provides you with a way to organize your talk with your children to keep them safe in this world of technology.  These are great tips for back to school safety.  Have the talk and keep your children safe!