Waukesha County Home

JANUARY 2018 HOME 3 (StatePoint) — After the hectic holidays, it's no surprise that many people commit to getting better organized in the new year. There are plenty of reasons why people obsess over organization and resolve to master it year after year. Household items become easier to find. Rooms all of a sud- den seem bigger and more welcoming. Each walk past a tidy linen closet — where there was once an avalanche waiting to spill for- ward — comes with a small sense of accom- plishment. Whether you're after smarter storage or looking to cut clutter, successful resolutions begin with a thoughtful approach. Think small While it's fun to dream about a large-scale routine reset, smaller sustainable actions are key to lasting change. Take it one room or even one drawer at a time to keep momentum positive and to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Doing so also allows you to focus, leading to more creative solutions for taking advantage of under-utilized areas. For example, you may find using over-the door organizers a great way to free up space in home offices and craft rooms. Say "no" to clutter Everyone has items they keep around for no real reason that aren't particularly meaningful and don't serve a purpose. Being able to objectively identify these items makes everything easier. Paring down possessions doesn't have to be painful. That cardinal shaped cookie jar that you've always been on the fence about? It would make an incredibly thoughtful "just because" gift for an ornithology- obsessed aunt. Often, less can literally be more: Consignment shops and eBay make it easy to turn four or five pieces of furniture you "kind of like" into one piece you absolutely love. Store décor wisely Everyone loves holiday decorating. Tak- ing down decorations afterward — not so much. It's difficult to preserve items in a haphazard collection of cardboard boxes, plastic bags and mismatched bins, all crammed into the corner of a garage or basement. Stepping up storage containers can make a big difference. For a wide selec- tion of storage solutions specifically designed for holiday décor, check out Improvements, which offers everything from ornament and gift wrap organizers to wreath and garland storage bags. Keep a place for everything Nobody likes wasting time gathering or searching. Make storage more convenient and efficient by streamlining. Items fre- quently used together should be kept together, from coffee supplies to vehicle maintenance tools. Make a plan Create a schedule so nothing is over- looked. Knowing which project is next gives you time to prepare and purchase any stor- age items you might need. When schedul- ing, designate specific rooms and spaces for certain seasons. For example, the first warm days of spring are made for cleaning out the shed or garage. More organizational inspiration can be found by visiting improvementscatalog. com. Successful resolutions are essentially new habits that become part of a lifestyle. Deliberately choosing to incorporate small acts of organization on a daily basis will pay off tremendously throughout the year. Five rules for a more organized home These tips can help with New Year's resolution to stay on top of things StatePoint After Christmas is a great time to start organizing.Getting organized is one of the top five perennial New Year's resolutions.

• Cover