organize. new beginnings

I like to start the new year off with getting organized. I think this sets the pace for the year. Having everything in its special place, in every area of your home, makes every day living so much easier and makes life less complicated. These are some simple things I like to do to help my clients jump start to the best year ever. Cheers!

Lets start with the kitchen. You never want to feel embarrassed when you open a cabinet or the fridge in front of guests.

• Turn on some music and pour a glass of wine

• When you open a cabinet door, you want to be able to easily see everything in the cabinet, and it looks great and easily accessible

• One cabinet at a time, take everything out and reevaluate the items you have

• Donate anything you haven't used in the last year (I mean really!)

• Go through the pantry, spices, baking ingredients, fridge, and freezer and throw out anything that has expired. You will be amazed by how many expired items you can find!

• Grandma wouldn’t want you to keep it if you don’t use it, even if its something she gave you

• Less is more, and easier to locate

Next, the linen closet

• I prefer to use all white linens and towels because they are easier to launder and it looks more spa-like

• Four sets of towels for each bathroom is plenty

• Two sets of sheets for each bed

• Donate mix-matched sheets (let's remember those less fortunate)

• Maximum two table cloths (preferably white)

• Old towels are great to use as rags for polishing, cleaning, and car washing (No need to keep more than eight, these could go in the garage or laundry room in a beautiful basket)

Thinking of your nightstand and dresser

• Your top drawer should have your everyday jewelry that you can grab quickly

• Everyday jewelry can be cleaned and checked to make sure nothing is loose or broken

• Your top drawer should also contain your favorite nighttime read, reading glasses, fresh chapstick, and a notepad for any thoughts you may have before you drift off to sleep

• On the top of the nightstand I like to place a candle and a small vase with fresh flowers and a photo of someone close to my heart

The most challenging area to organize is the closet. January is a good time to go in your closet and reflect on the items that you have tried on, and immediately taken off in exchange for something else.

• Pick an afternoon when you have time and good light

• Look at each piece in your closet, try it on, if you don't feel great in it, it needs to go!

• If you haven’t worn it in the last year, it has to go

• If something is too small and you think you'll wear it when you loose weight, get rid of it. When you drop a few pounds, treat yourself to something new. You deserve it, you're amazing

• Don’t be afraid to get something altered if it needs a little nip at the waist or needs to be taken up an inch or two at the knee for an update. I do this all the time and it makes all the difference. Sometimes things just need to be fitted properly!

• Organize tops by sleeve length and light to dark

• Bottoms light to dark

• Make a wish list of what you need to complete an outfit as you go along

• Go through your accessories, do you have proper shoes to go with each bag and the proper jewelry? Make a wish list

• Bags should be on shelves and easily visible so you can create great outfits

• Belts should be hanging and visible or rolled in a drawer

• Shoes are great on shelves or in clear boxes so they can be easily seen

• You should feel like a superstar when you’re getting dressed, because you are!

• Don't hesitate to mix and match to create a lot of good looks, take a chance, don't be afraid

• Use heavier wood hangers for jackets, blazers and coats

• Hangers should all match, same color

• Store boots properly with boot shapers

• Check your shoes to make sure they are in proper shape, a pair may need new soles or may need to be polished. Find a well reviewed local cobbler. Great shoes last for many miles and good times

• Keep a “donate” shopping bag set aside in your closet. If you put something on twice and don't feel good in it, it needs to go in the bag.

• Moving forward, stick to a simple rule: something in, something out. Only buy things you love more than something you have

January is a good time to clean furniture and rugs. Be sure to check fabric content to see if they should be steam cleaned or dry cleaned. Check with a reputable cleaning company.

These are some starting points that I hope motivate you to move to the rest of the areas of your home. Remember, if you don’t love it, give it to someone else who can enjoy it and make good use of it.

I personally get super energized by organization and think it can lead to great home design. If you feel like you need a push in the right direction, or some consulting on how to get started, please don't hesitate to set up an appointment.