10 tools to get organized… and stay that way!

I call them mini-miracles… 10 inexpensive organization tools that will  help you retrieve and return things to and from the same place, every time. They won’t just help you get organized quickly; they’ll dramatically conserve space, time, money, energy and eliminate the stress of losing things.

Too good to be true? Try any one or all of these modern miracles (… actually some of them have been around for awhile; there’s probably a reason for that!) to help you clean up clutter this year!

1. Hooks…. they’re so simple, but many modern designers of the 20^th century thought it would be better to put everything away behind closed doors. It’s time to rethink that! Hooks aren’t just the most under-utilized storage tool… they’re also the cheapest and quickest way to clean up clutter. Attach hooks by the back or front door, along a hallway, above a bench in an entry hall or bedroom, or on the side of a cabinet to make clean-up fast and keep clutter off the floor!

2. Carry bins…portable bins not only organize items but create some temporary storage solutions that can be moved to where they’re used Fixed storage, like drawers in chests and dressers are great for things that are used in one place. But portable storage bins are so handy, you’ll wonder why you didn’t have a whole collection of them in your life before now. They let you work in different locations around the house, or clean up in seconds.

The key is to find portable bins with handles… and to make sure they’re big enough to hold enough stuff, but not so big that they’re too heavy or bulky to carry. If they look good enough, you can even keep them in the open, stored under coffee tables or on a bookshelf. So what you use carry bins for? A few ideas:

• create a carry bin for your mail. Dump magazines and letters inside until you have time to get to it.
• create a carry bin for clutter… from books to toys to whatever else covers your tables and floor. When you need to clean up your dining room table or living room quickly, throw everything inside.  Instant clean room!
• create a carry bin for your car. A narrow one is best—fill it with maps, tissue box, ice scraper and everything else that otherwise floats around the car.
• create a carry bin for your child. Keep toys, current books and homework. You can transport homework from room to room.

 3. Shelf dividers… home builders must have gotten together one day and all decided that a long shelf above every closet rod was a really good idea. Sadly, long shelves can be a source of  organizational chaos unless managed. Adding vertical dividers along that long shelf can help you store clothes, purses without everything toppling over.

4. Plastic storage bins… they’re waterproof, see-through and help you find things easily. If you’ve ever had water damage, you’ll know how quickly a little moisture or water can ruin the things you love, use or value most. Large, plastic bins keep out mold, water, humidity. Use them to store holiday decorations, keepsakes, valuable documents, odd parts. Because they’re see-through, finding things is a snap. Because they’ve got lids, you can stack ‘em high. The larger you buy them, though, the more padded the handles should be. If storing small things, you can label contents on the lid or front, but as much as possible, keep the same types of things in a single bin.

5. Rod dividers… a long row of coats, suits, dressers and pants can quickly create a new wardrobe that may or may not make the best-dressed list. If you’ve changed your intended wardrobe because the sought-after shirt was nowhere to be found, it may be time for a closet strategy. Even without a fancy custom closet system, creating a system for your clothing will help a lot. Try storing your clothing by color—from white through yellow, orange, red, blue, purple, green, brown to black. Or sort by function—shirts, skirts, pants and dresses.

6. Under-bed storage… maybe it’s because we associate it with dust or monsters, but all that storage under your bed is just waiting to be useful. Even if you don’t need the extra storage  space, under-bed storage is a great place to put things you don’t want to see or think about…. or things you do. Many beds come with built-in storage drawers. But if an under-bed storage drawers aren’t in your immediate future, there are plenty of narrow, flat boxes (some even on wheels) that can be slid under the boxspring. Storing long rolls of wrapping paper, paperwork, off-season clothing is all great. But what about shoes! Want to stop crawling around on the closet floor to find matching Jimmy Choo’s? Store your shoes in a shallow box on wheels—it’s easy to see and finding matching pairs… and to remember how many pairs you own!

7. Drawer dividers… junk drawers came by their name honestly. Any drawer that stores small things is fated to become a chaotic mix of key chains linked to paper clips… and pencils and erasers living separated lives. Drawer dividers have come a long way and can be customized to any drawer size. As a rule of thumb… the smaller the items stored in a drawer, the more drawer dividers are needed. Drawer dividers in night stands lets you find your reading glasses, flashlights, pens and medication in the dark. Dividers in dresser drawers make finding and sorting ties, socks, scarves and jewelry a whole lot easier! And large drawers also benefit from some division. Dividing a wide drawer into two or three sections lets you create order and make sure things don’t all meld together.

8. Labels… the simple act of labeling where things should go dramatically increases the odds that things will be put away in the right place. Knowing exactly where things are stored alerts everyone to both where things can be found and where they should be put away. Professional label–makers make very pretty labels, but you can also hand write on plain paper labels. There’s no end to what you can label—from the inside edge of dresser drawers, shelves and cabinets to bins and boxes.

9. Wall shelves… bookshelves aren’t just for books anymore. Wall shelves can store bottles, bins and even clothing. Using empty wall space, even above counters,  is one of the most efficient places to find extra space.

10. Storage coffee tables… a coffee table with storage drawers or a shelf to hold storage bins lets you create a home for remote controls and all manner of things that clutter your living room. You can even double your living room as a home office, mail center or library… while never being far away from the family… or TV!

getting organized: 4 ways to think fresh about an old problem!

If you’re ready to make 2010 the year you get organized, finding the right strategy is one of the best ways to get started! The best strategies result from thinking about how, when and where things are used, not just where they’re stored. Try these four simple techniques to tame clutter in your own home!

1. Think zones, not rooms. Most of us organize our home by room… dishes in the kitchen, clothes in the bedroom, toiletries in the bathroom. The problem with this 30,000-foot view of our home is that, in reality, each room is a microcosm of activities, not just a single one. Instead, think about the ‘key activities’ that happen in your home… getting dressed, paying bills, packing a suitcase. Then consider how you could create a zone around each activity, with related things kept together, where they’re used.

For example, you could create a dressing zone in your bedroom by keeping makeup, hair dryer, jewelry, scarves, etc. together in one place, or one piece of furniture, with a power bar attached to the back or insider of a dresser. Or you could create a party zone drawer in your china cabinet to store candles, napkins and placemats. Or a beverage zone in your china cabinet to store wine and cocktail supplies together with wine glasses. Or a home office zone drawer to store stamps, stationary and office supplies and recharge portable electronics Creating zones—whether on a shelf or inside a drawer or storage bin saves us time and energy, not to mention money (re-buying things we already own but can’t find!). Zones ensure things are always in their place and placed where they’re used.

2. Open up storage space. One of the quickest ways to make more space inside overstuffed closets and drawers is to move off-season things… or things yu’re not using to an alternate location. That doesn’t have to mean giving them away.  Invest in a portable wardrobe rack (under $30) that you can store in a basement, attic. Or store off-season clothing or shoes in under-bed storage boxes or stackable storage bins.

2. Give yourself time to let go of things. Most of us have a hard time letting go of things; even things we haven’t used in years. After all, we might just need them… or worse, we’ll miss them! The truth is, we probably won’t do either. But still, letting go is difficult. So why not give yourself a buffer – a transition zone. Remove the things you haven’t used or worn in more than 2 years. Take a photo of items with special memories and store them in boxes or large plastic bag. Label the contents and store it someplace out of the way – in a garage, basement or attic. If you still haven’t used or missed the items you’ve stored after a set time limit,  just drop off the box or bag at a good-will store. Or call a charitable organization to pick it up.

4. Decide to help someone else. It’s never been a better time to give things away. Thinking about how much your things will be appreciated by people in need is its own motivation to part with things you’re not using. Making a difference in someone else’s life is one of life’s biggest rewards. It’s also a great lesson to teach kids. Letting go of old or extra toys is easier and even exciting for kids when they realize they’re bringing happiness to another child!

Martha Stewart products launch at Home Depot

Martha Stewart's Miramir at Home Depot. 5-pce outdoor dining set, $524

Look for Martha Stewart-branded products in Home Depot stores this month.

The new partnership, announced in September, 2009, will include outdoor furniture, paint, storage, lighting and cleaning products… and bring together the country’s largest home hardware chain (that’s eager to attract more women) with one of the top celebrity brands (that already does).

Martha Stewart’s ten year marriage with Kmart will end this month. A decade after the joint venture to offer consumers housewares, decorative accessories, RTA furniture, lighting and outdoor furniture under the Martha Stewart Everyday  brand, the companies are parting ways. At their zenith, revenues were a billion dollars, MSLO executives say. in 2008, Martha Stewart Living reported that 43% of its merchandising revenue came from the Kmart line.

Stewart’s outdoor living products will be the first category to launch at Home Depot in January, with home organization following in February and paint in March. Executives say at least one dining set will sell for under $400. Organizational products will include a one-track closet system and a 9-cube storage unit. The 280-color line of Martha Stewart paint colors will replace the Ralph Lauren paint brand. Cleaning products will also be available, including 10 under Home Depot’s ”Eco-options” line.

Home Depot is the nation’s largest home improvement retailer, with 2,241 stores in the U.S. and Canada

Martha Stewart has additional home-based licensing partnerships with Macy’s (bedding, food preparation, dining and entertaining lines), Wedgewood (fine china), Bernhardt (furniture), Murrary Feiss (lighting), Flor (floor design), Safavieh (rugs) and 1-800 flowers (flowers and gifts). The company claims 1.4M  followers on Twitter.

what’s new in dining room furniture

The latest dining room furniture trends may just make eating at home more exciting than going out…

Fresh from the recent furniture market in High Point, NC, here’s what’s new in dining room furniture:

1. More casual styling. Formal dining rooms are taking it down (or is it up?) a notch with higher height tables that let you eat soufle on bar stools… square-shaped tables that create all chairs equal (no seating heirarchy based on  armchairs versus side chairs)… and styling influences beyond 18th century France. 

2. Sideboards and servers rather than china cabinets. A fancy china cabinet is no longer a requirement with a dining room. Simple sideboards and buffet cabinets are proving versatile for those of us who’d rather entertain buffet-style than sit down for a formal dinner. They’re less bulky in small spaces, can be placed under a window or dressed with handsome table lamps, artwork or a ….

3. Mirrror above the buffet cabinet. Whether you want to buy a mirror that matches your buffet sideboard or step out with a contrasting style or finish, the look of an elegant mirror above a sideboard is elegant and space-expanding.

4. Granite or marble countertops.  More buffet cabinets are featuring countertop-like counters with granite, marble or a synthetic surfaces that holds up to hot plates, liquid spills and the scuffs of moving bowls and plates.   

5. Wired-up serving counters.  A power bar built into a buffet cabinet lets you easily reach a plug to fire up a blender, add a lamp or warm up a warming tray without crawling under the furniture, or draping electrical cords alongside your coq au vin.

6. Wine storage. We”re not just eating at home more these day; we’re entertaining more too… and adding wine to the menu. Designated wine cubbies, wine slots and wine shelves are nearly a standard in new dining room storage cabinets.

7. More comfortable chairs.  Louis XV chairs won’t be going out of style anytime soon, but there is  move afoot to add upholstered chairs with lounge-inspiration that invite lingering at the table long after the plates are cleared.

8. Benches. Forever a staple of country styling, benches are moving from rustic and a little bit uncomfortable to upholstered and very chic. They’re also adding a back (if you’ve sat in a backless bench for any length of time, you’ll agree this is a really good idea.)  Today’s contemporary benches resemble a small settee and perfectly replace 2 chairs on the side of the table. 

9. Tables with storage. Many higher height gathering tables pack extra shelves and storage into their pedestals for over-sized platters, less-used dishes and wine bottles. But with more of us using our dining rooms as office space, storage drawers and slide-out compartments for pencils and office supplies are being added under the surface of some tables.

10. Eclectic styles. One of the easiest places to mix things up a little is around a dinner table. The latest dining trend is to mix two types of chairs – wood and upholstered – together at a table.

home decorating trends reflect new lifestyle realities

See if you agree with the seven emerging home design and color trends Better Homes & Gardens recently identified at the recent High Point Furniture Market.  Here’s what they say matter to most of us!

 1. A “Right-Sized” Home
Influenced by economic realities, we’re looking for a home that’s the right size and arrangement for how we live now. That means: (a) no-wasted space, (b) comfortable, casual family spaces, (c) furniture that’s more in scale with our homes and (d) finishes that improve or reflect natural daylight.

2. Comfort & functionality rather than formality
We’re seriously rethinking formal, stuffy, rarely used spaces. More of us are opting for (a) comfortable multi-functional rooms and furniture and (b) dining rooms that are more livable, casual and integrated into the rest of the home. For example, a dining room table may become the family study or crafts center, or a sideboard may hold office files and electronics instead of china and serving pieces.

3. Personal expression at home
Owning a home is part of our vision of the good life…. perhaps now more than ever. More adaptable open-floor plans are leading to a loosening up of decorating inside the home and we’re thinking more about outfitting our homes the way we dress ouselves—by mixing and matching pieces, styles, materials and colors.

4. A new kind of family room
Family rooms are evolving into entertaining/media centers. Multiple computer stations are located in a family gathering area where kids’ internet access can be monitored. The Wii phenomenon has families looking for new furniture solutions to make room for active –play—for example, an ottoman or coffee table on casters easily moves to create space. Flat-screen TVs are driving more flexible media storage furniture that works along an open wall rather than is sized to the inch because electronic media components are ever-changing!

5. A Well-Organized Home
Ample storage is an ‘absolute priority’ to stay organized and resist clutter. Smart storage solutions are top of mind, making inventive storage features such as slide-out jewelry compartment hidden in a bedroom dresser mirror appealing. More women want their own at-home office -  an open, bright and more decorative space that’s equipped with extra electrical outlet and the internet connections needed to manage work-home balance.

6. Feeling good about staying home
More of us are looking for home furnishing and decorating ideas to make staying in feel good. To create warm, inviting family spaces, wer’re moving toward (1) warm wood such as oak and walnut, (6) light neutral colors, or earth-inspired green, chocolate, wine and berry tones, and (3) backyards that feel like an extension of entertaining areas.

7. Durability
“Durability” and “high quality” define value as much as price. We’re looking for furniture that will grow up with us and our kids. For example, a bedroom chest becomes a hallway entry table to store linens and to drop keys and other items on top.

what’s new in bedroom furniture

In spite of a trying economy for furniture sales (or maybe because of it),  the latest bedroom furniture trends may having you opting for a bedroom makeover sooner than later.

Fresh from the recent furniture market in High Point, NC, here’s what’s new in bedroom furniture:

1. A place to organize the small stuff. Storage options for jewelry were everywhere… hanging jewelry hooks on panels that pull out from behind the dresser mirror… side panels on chest of drawers that open to reveal a series of hooks… removable velvet-lined jewelry trays in the top drawer of  storage cabinets… and more.

2. Underbed storage drawers with grown-ups in mind. The trend to adding underbed storage drawers, albeit a good one, has unearthed some bulky platform beds the past while, many resembling kids’ captains beds that require a ladder, or at the very least, a leap, to get into bed. But this market, we saw more streamlined versions, including storage drawers tucked into floating bed rails and footboards rather than running right to the floor.

3. Media cabinets disguised as dressers. It’s no secret that the dresser is fighting technology for its survival. Innocent bedroom buyers today are being been forced to choose between a place for a big flat-screen TV or a place for a dresser and mirror.  Enter… the the media-cabinet slash dresser. With the front of the top drawer able to fold down, you can stuff electrical components inside the top drawer instead of socks and shirts, and a big TV on top of your dresser instead of a mirror. What this will do to shirt and sock sales remains to be seen.

4. Powered-up night stands. There’s good news for those who don’t like to be away from their portable electornics for too long. Night stands are becoming command central, with built-in outlets for you to stay close to… and powered up to anything you want. 

5. Lighter finishes. The deluge of dark brown furniture finishes the past years have been hard to miss. Such a dramatic color made any product look more sophisticated and contemporary. It’s also still popular, making many furniture retailers reluctant to experiment with too many other contemporary finishes. But for the first time in a long time, we saw a few new contemporary products in finishes other than the popular espresso, wenge and chocolate. Just a few, mind you. But they were much lighter and equally chic. 

6. Sustainable woods. It’s not that bamboo has already come and gone, but furniture folks are tending to prefer the less knotty look of their latest sustainable wunderkind, mango wood. Apparently after the fruit is gone, not much can be done with mango wood, making it ideal for furniture suppliers who’d welcome any opportunity to lower the price… and save a forest.

7. Second bedrooms for adults.  Until October, 2008, bedroom furniture was pretty much divided into two worlds – master bedrooms and kid’s bedrooms. There were occasional conversations about smaller apartments and guest rooms, but the bulk of the business  fell into these two large markets. With the stock market crash, more people began right-sizing or down-sizing their life into smaller spaces… spawning a third bedroom category - something between a master and kid’s bedroom. King and queen-sized beds are being joined by full and even twin-sized bed options in adult bedrooms for versatility. Seems no one knows anymore how long kids will stay at home or if caring for aging parents will make more sense in our own home rather than a senior’s home.

8. Non-storage furniture. With new home builders enticing buyers with fancy closet systems that render chests and dressers obsolete, some savvy furniture suppliers are responding with a range of alternate bedroom products.  Floor-length mirrors, small desks, benches, chaise longues, loveseats and media chests may seem new in the bedroom, but ironically, some of these bedroom pieces hearken back to the days when the bedroom was as much for a place to relax, write letters and groom as to sleep.

9. Styles that defy description. The popularity of contemporary style the past decade has spread to traditional styles as well, with cleaner lines and less details all around. On the flip side (because there always is one), traditional styles are reaching back farther than the 18th century (from whence all fine furniture is believed to hale) for inspiration. Early English, Spanish and medieval ideas are coming back, with fancy turnings and heavy stretchers. But finishes, shapes and details are all getting mixed a little, and the effects are fascinating. Needless to say, the lines between styles are continuing to blur!

retrofit your bedroom furniture to increase storage

It’s a great time to buy new furniture. Not only are prices right,  a lot of new features are being added to beds, dressers and chest of drawers to help us get organized, powered-up and put together.  But if you’re not in the market to buy new furniture right now, try these techniques to make your old furniture come to life without breaking the bank … or having them break you (… oops, too late).

1. Line your top dresser drawers with felt or velvet. Both reduce snags to delicate clothing and create a soft landing for bottles and jewelry. (Many hardware and art supply stores sell soft felt covers with peel away sticky back. Or use rubber cement to glue down a good quality velvet cut to fit the inner dimension of the drawers.)

2. Add drawer dividers to shallow and deep drawers. Drawer dividers can save time, frustration and your marriage by separating socks, ties, hosiery, jewelry, scarves and other small items. Adjustable dividers are available at any storage specialty store or online.

3. Add hooks to the outside of a chest. Hooks or knobs are handy to hang a handbag, sweater, pajamas, scarves, jewelry or neckties. Attach them to the side of a chest or add a pull-out valet rod inside or outside a chest or armoire door to hang an outfit while dressing or packing.

4. Use the top of dressers and chest for extra storage space. Stack storage bins on top of a chest, dresser or armoire and store scarves, swimsuits, extra toiletries and other infrequently used items that eat up precious drawer space.

5. Wire a drawer for electricity. Install a power bar in a ventilated dresser drawer for your hairdryer and curling iron, or wire a night stand drawer to recharge portable electronics or plug in a laptop computer. Keeping wires out of the way… and appliances or electronics handy adds instant efficiency to any bedroom.

6. Reconsider the empty space above your dresser. In place of a mirror above your dresser, a row or two of shelves for storage bins might be more efficient. A dresser might also be the ideal place for a TV.  Consider a full-length mirror in place of a dresser mirror, then retrofit your old dresser mirror for use in your front entry hall, above a sofa table or dining room buffet cabinet.

7. Use the space under your bed for pull-out storage bins. Use large, clear plastic bins with lids to keep out the dust. Underbed storage is ideal for off-season clothing, shoes, sports gear, extra pillows , blankets or photo albums.

8. Place a hall tree in the corner of your room, or add a row of hooks to your wall. Getting all your paraphenalia off the floor will make your room look bigger… and cleaner!

If buying new bedroom furniture, look for chest of drawers and dressers with variety of drawer sizes – some shallow for small undergarments and toiletries, some wider for folded clothing, others extra deep for bulky sweaters. Consider an armoire or large chest in place of a dresser - both use wall space more efficiently and increase storage capacity per square foot. Many new bedrooms also come with nifty built-in, underbed storage drawers.

make kids room cleanup fast and easy

Helping kids clean up their own rooms isn’t just easier on parents; it’s great training for kids. Children learn valuable organization skills simply by cleaning up their rooms. Those skills can help improve their grades now and help them organize their finances, desks, and homes in the future!

If you’re tired of looking at your own children’s messy rooms, here are 10 of my favorite ways to help coach children on organization skills, and to keep their rooms from looking like a hurricane came through… 

1. Use colored bins on shelves to hold similar items… a red bin for games, a yellow bin for books, a green one for crayons and art supplies, etc. Let your kids decide on the colors. Alternately, or in addition, label bins with large letters or symbols to designate their contents. Use bins with closed-in sides and bottoms so small pieces don’t fall out, and avoid bins with lids (make it as easy as possible to put things away!).

2. Label the contents of drawers and shelves… just seeing what goes where helps children put things in the right place and trains them to designate a place for everything. Drawers can be labeled on the inside top edge, or on the face with removable cards or plaques.

3.  Install a coat tree or a row of hooks to get things off the floor. Children can hang their jackets, clothing, sports equipment, backpacks, caps and whatever else that would otherwise take up valuable floor space. Getting things off the floor makes a room look instantly cleaner, and lets the vacuum cleaner pick up dirt and dust.

4. Create a carry-box or portable bin for toys that are used in other rooms. Kids can keep their current favorites in a place where they can find them quickly or transport them to another room.

5. Rotate toys. Store less-used toys in the basement, garage or attic where there’s more room. Bringing them out later will make them seem new again.

6. Lower the closet rod. Young children often can’t reach their clothes or put them away, making it frustrating or impossible even to try. A rod is easily lowered while kids are young, creating space for an additional shelf above.

7. Create an easy-to-make bed. Rather than a bedspread, use a comforter that can be quickly pulled over the mattress, and use a colored pillow case that can be tossed on top of the comforter.

8. Use a drawstring bag  to hold bulky plush toys or sports equipment. Or use a wheeled laundry cart.

9. Organize schoolwork  or projects in a portable bin. Store papers, tests, study sheets and other reference material in colored folders by subject, and keep a calendar, ruler, pens and other study supplies inside. The bin can easily be moved to the kitchen table if you want to work with your child or supervise them.  

10. Clean up every day. Five minutes a day is all you need if you do it regularly. Make it as much of a habit as other routines during their day, perhaps before or after they brush their teeth at night. You can make a game out of clean-up by using an egg timer or a favorite song to make the ‘start’ and ‘stop’ of clean-up every night.

3 things no home should be without

Apart from the more obvious sofa, bed and kitchen table… there are 3 less-ranked home furnishings that are awfully handy at home. None of them cost much, but they all help increase our efficiency and help organize our lives.

1. Nesting tables.

Invest in a set of nesting tables and you’ll wonder why you never did before! They take up space only when you want them to and increase efficiency where you need it most. Folding tray tables are also helpful if they’re not stored too far away.

* use a set in the living room beside the sofa. Use the highest table for a lamp and permanet accessories, and the nesting table(s) to pull near you for an extra work surface that’s high enough to write on, a handy place to put down a drink, plate or a lap-top computer

* try a set of nesting tables beside in your bedroom. If you work or pay bills in bed, the extra tables are handy for spreading out your papers. Or you can pull them over beside a reading chair.

2. A coat tree

I know, coat trees don’t win design awards, but they’ve come a long way and look better than they used to. Not just a catch-all for the busiest places in our home, coat trees are a great way to keep the floor clear… making a room seem larger and tidier, and easier to vacuum. Here’s a few places to add one…

* front  entrance – if the closet is too small or you want to save time finding frequently-used items, use a coat tree to hang jackets, umbrellas, hats, handbags and backpacks right by the back or front door

* bedroom – place a coat tree it in the corner of the room to hang freqently-used clothing such as pj’s and bath robes, favorite casual wear, extra sweaters, handbags, or hangers with clothing that’s going to be packed in a suitcase. Put one in a kids room to get backpacks, caps, sports equipment and clothing off the floor.

* bathroom – if space is more plentiful than storage, use a small coat tree to hold towels or clothing while you’re in the shower or extra toilet paper and supplies in a small laundry bag

* basement – use a coat tree to hold skates, sporting equipment, brooms, brushes

* laundry room – use a coat tree to air-dry laundry or hang wrinkle-prone shirt and pants on hangers to dry

3. portable storage bins

A portable storage container lets you take items where they’re needed or used, keeps alike items together and makes clean-up quick and easy. Look for storage bins that are attractive, light-weight, easy-to-clean, easy-to-carry and big enough to hold what you need them to.

* Mail caddy – use a portable storage bin to hold mail, pens, highlighter, stamps, return address labels, address book, blank envelopes and note cards, a small calendar, post-it notes and your checkbook

* Cleaning caddy – use a portable storage bin to hold window cleaner, duster, bathroom cleanser and paper towels… and take it with you while you clean

* Clutter bin – use a portable bin in living and family rooms to hold magazines and books, DVDs and any loose items that need to be tied up quickly but aren’t ready to be tossed or filed away

* Car caddy – keep a narrow, deep bin in your car to store your maps, a box of tissues, small ice scraper, umbrella, bottle of water, imperishable food, an extra set of warm gloves and a first-aid kit

organize mail, stop junk mail and prevent identity theft

STORAGE & ORGANIZATION
HEALTHY HOME

Need a quick way to organize mail, stop junk mail and prevent identify theft? Here’s a few suggestions:

* Sort the contents of your mailbox near a garbage can. Organize it by tossing obvious junk mail quickly – many envelopes don’t even need to be opened. The only exception? Credit card offers and offers from companies you already do business with - they may include more than your name and address inside. Shred or tear these in small pieces to prevent identity theft.

* When opening bills, toss the promotional materials inside and staple the bill and return envelope together (don’t use paper clips – they clip anything they come in contact with!)

* Create a portable bill-paying box - an attractive letter-sized tray, storage bin or shoe box. Fill it with a stapler, staple remover, pens, stamps, blank envelopes, tape, letter opener and space for unpaid bills. When not in use, keep it where you sort the mail. 

* As you open the mail, separate it into three categories (1) to pay (bills or donation requests),  (2) to read (articles, magazines, catalogs), and (3) to file (bank, utility, investment and mortgage statements)

* move the  ‘to pay’ bills to your portable bill-paying box… move the ‘to read’ mail to a file folder you’ll review when you’ve got time (or you’ll take with you on a trip), and move the ‘to file’ materials to a folder that you’ll file away every week.

* if you’re getting junk mail or appeals from a non-profit company that you don’t plan to donate to (or on that’s cutting down too many trees for their promotional materials), don’t open the envelope. Cross out your name on the front of the envelope, write ‘return to sender’ and put it back in the mail (no postage required). The company will assume you’ve moved (although you might have to do this a few times before your name comes off their mailing list!).