(ARA) - The change of seasons and the start of a New Year present a perfect
time to clear out clutter and get organized. To make the task less daunting,
experts Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet, authors of the best selling
book, “Dare to Repair,” provide tips for what they consider the three main
“dumping grounds” of the house. As motivation, the two women point out that the
average person spends approximately 25 minutes every day looking for things they
can’t find in their own home!
Back Door Storage
For many active families the back door is a heap of shoes, backpacks, pet
paraphernalia, cell phones and the like. Little wonder that mud rooms are making
a comeback. To give organization to your back door dumping ground, start by
lining up everything that is heaped there and then assign each item a type of
storage and a place for it. Consider creating a surface for writing notes and
laying down groceries, as well as a chalkboard or bulletin board for posting
notes and reminders and a mirror for last-minute “touch ups.” Turn this
information into a rough sketch and a shopping list. Many storage items are
designed for easy assembly and installation, so in just one weekend, you can
most likely transform your back door chaos into an attractive working space.
Bedroom Closets
After cleaning up the back entry, move onto another high use, hard-hit area
-- bedroom closets. To start, we suggest placing last season’s wardrobe into
plastic storage bins designed to fit under your bed. With more room in the
closet, you can concentrate on getting organized and putting every square inch
to good use. The best way to maximize closet space is with a closet organization
system that includes drawers, shelving and shoe cubbies. Lowe’s has these
systems in a variety of materials and components to meet your needs. Be sure to
measure the closet interior carefully, taking into consideration baseboards,
light fixtures, a mirror or anything else that might affect accuracy and
installation. A sketch is always a good idea.
Garages
As garages have expanded in use and visibility, manufacturers have responded
with an array of new, heavy duty storage options designed for bikes, sporting
equipment, tools, toys and practically anything else that gets stored in a
typical garage. Because garage floor space is limited, the new storage units
maximize walls and ceilings. Wire units and clear plastic containers allow you
to see what’s stored on the highest shelves. It is always a good idea to have a
few lockable cabinets for pesticides and other potentially harmful substances.
With these modifications, your garage will be more functional and safe -- and a
sight to behold when the doors are open.
For more information about home organization or home improvement, visit
Lowes.com/DaretoRepair.
