How many years have you started spring cleaning only to be discouraged by the sheer amount of stuff or distracted by the beautiful weather? Would you like to complete spring cleaning this year, before summer? Then it is time to tackle those big, deep organizing projects such as the basement, garage, and maybe some closets, drawers, or cabinets. Whether you start with the basement or garage, begin in one corner and work your way around the room. Let go of the items you honestly will never use again by asking yourself those tough questions: when did I last use this? when do I think I will use it again? do I like this? If you catch yourself answering maybe to most of these questions, you might want to organize with a friend, family member, or professional organizer who will keep you focused and help you decide yes or no. Once your remove everything that does not belong (donate, trash, goes elsewhere), you may have all the storage space you need. If not, take measurements of your space and the items you want to store, and go shopping (maybe even in other rooms of your house). If it is difficult to figure out which organizing product works best in your situation, ask the person at the store, do some research on the web, consult a professional organizer, or use another knowledgeable resource. Now, what about those closets, drawers, and cabinets? Once you sort and purge what does not belong, you will probably be amazed at how much space you have. If you need some tips on how to best organize what remains, flip through a magazine, sketch a diagram of the space, enlist a professional organizer, etc. . No matter what you decide to organize, ask for help, make it fun, reward yourself, and maintain the organization. If you do not know where to start, do yourself a favor and schedule a free consultation. In the long run you will save time and money and be more relaxed. Sometimes you need another perspective, someone to keep you focused, or a little bit of expertise.
