Getting organized in the New Year
By Erin Lazer
The holidays have come and gone and a fresh new year is upon us. January marks a time for a clean slate and the resolution to get organized is always tops on everyone’s list. Here are some great tips to start you off:
- Closet Clean-out!
There’s no denying it—winter has arrived. Make room in your closets by packing away off-season items using large, stackable bins. Discard or alter damaged items and launder your clothes before packing them away to avoid any oils, stains or odours from setting further. Next: Edit! If you didn’t wear it last season, you likely won’t wear it this year either. Donate unwanted clothing and sell valuable items in great condition. Once your closet is less cluttered, you’ll find items more easily and can determine if there are any gaps in your wardrobe—ahem, ahem, ‘Honey I need to go shopping!’
- Goodbye Holiday Decor!
Don’t be the neighbour who still has holiday lights up when the grass peaks through the snow. Dedicate a bin or area to holiday décor and take the extra time to ensure Christmas lights aren’t a tangled mess, and burnt out or broken lights are replaced or discarded before being put away. You’ll thank yourself next year.
- Conquer the mountain of toys and gear!
If you’re drowning in a sea of primary colours, post-holiday season, when they have new toys to play with is the perfect time to purge. Consider donating used toys (or even – gasp! – new ones) to others in need, or if you’re hoarding large items like baby swings and high chairs that are no longer used, loan them to friends or family that may make use of them, donate them or sell them. Chances are, you have more gear than you really need for potential future children.
- Keep kids in style while saving money and space!
While toys can take over your living space, clothing is another beast entirely. Kids can outgrow clothes, sometimes within weeks, and storing them for future children can be challenging, especially in small spaces. If you’re a fashion conscious mom, with styles constantly changing, you may not want to dress baby #2 in baby #1’s wardrobe and there’s no guarantee your kids will be the same gender. To make the most of your kids’ outgrown (and often pristine!) clothing, look no further than the internet, for services like Minitrade.ca, an online childrens’ clothing consignment retailer. They’ll pick up your gently used items from high quality brand names and designers free of charge and in exchange, provide you with credits to go shopping for your children’s next size. It’s a great way to save space, and money—not to mention avoiding the malls.
As you take on the new year, always remember that less is more, and that what truly matters are the experiences we share in our homes, with our families. The “stuff” we collect is secondary. Happy organizing.
Erin Lazer is a professional home stager, organizer and designer with www.SpaceStyle.ca.
