Many areas of the home can be tweaked to help life run more smoothly, even in a tidy house. Before my home overhaul, it appeared clutter-free to visitors; I kept bench tops clear and everything behind closed doors. But what’s hidden behind closed doors can clog your life as much as the junk that creeps out. A simply organised home makes everyday tasks effortless.
Whether you have stashes of secret clutter or it’s spread out for all to see, simplify.
Task Zones
If your rooms are packed, you’ll first need A Kickstart to Decluttering. A surface purge is necessary before simplifying in greater depth. A semi-decluttered space should accommodate all belongings inside units or tucked on shelves, no matter how disorganised. Make clear floors and furniture your goal.
Once all belongings fit into your available storage spaces, you can begin to make sense of each “task zone”. A task zone is how I think of a cupboard, drawer, basket, shelf, or nook because each should serve a specific purpose.
Organised Home Storage With Purpose
Decide on a clear purpose for each of your storage areas. To go the extra mile, label baskets and shelves so family members get on board too. A basic Dymo embossing label maker does the trick. A thermal Dymo LetraTag prints various fonts and sizes, or get super creative with a Cricut Joy.
In our den, we have nine wall-mounted units. Each cabinet performs a different storage function and I don’t allow their roles to crossover. When the intended goal of a task zone is muddied, it quickly becomes an anything zone.
Confusion around the purpose of storage spots invariably leads to a more chaotic home and lifestyle. Remember, when there is a designated place for everything, everything easily returns to that place.
Two of my cabinets are filled with my craft supplies. How to organise craft supplies varies according to the activities you enjoy. Nevertheless, always separate items into smaller baskets, hobby organisers, or shallow art supply drawers for easy selection.
Another of my cabinets holds an unconventional stash. Small containers of interior paint, plus brushes and rollers to make wall and trim touch-ups a breeze. This is a perfect example of how implementing a “task zone” can streamline life. Before creating this zone, I’d delay retouching scuffs because paints were scattered about a chilly outhouse where spiders lurked…
The Next Step…
Each storage zone can be transformed into a task zone by using the simple foundations of decluttering: Analyse, Separate and Regroup. With this 3-step method, things will settle in the correct location.
With everything properly located, you’re ready for the next step: Master Home Organisation: 3 Steps to Creating Task Zones.
