Junk drawers, packed closets and piles of your child's artwork: unsightly clutter or socially acceptable forms of sloppy?
Maybe both.
It’s easy to see how it happens. Company unexpectedly arrives, so we sweep random objects from the countertop into a drawer, and stuff coats, basketballs and wrapping paper into every last inch of closet space. And fearing the ramifications of throwing our little Picasso's greatest-yet-to-be-appreciated art away, we pile it up and wait for its turn at the Guggenheim, or at least for Pablo to be old enough to sort through it himself.
We talked to a few professional organizers in Atlanta about how best to tackle some common clutter problems.
Problem: Children’s artwork taking over walls and life
Expert: Kim Cossette, a certified professional organizer and owner of The Organized Approach in Atlanta
How it happens: "It's difficult to let go [of artwork] because we all want to encourage our kids and support them, and some moms feel the act of throwing away is saying it isn’t meaningful."
What to do: It can be overwhelming to decide which pieces you should keep on a case-by-case basis. Instead, designate a “wall of fame” in a place where the family can enjoy your young one’s creations. Using shelves or strings, showcase their best artwork and rotate the pieces with new masterpieces. Cycle them so there is always something on display. After removing from the wall, store them (and other works made during the school year) in a designated box or bin. In the summer, sort through the pile and decide which pieces are worth saving. For large pieces, Cossette suggests taking high-resolution digital photos and creating a memory book of their best work.
Problem: The junk drawer
Expert: Susan Fox, who with Teresa Taylor owns Atlanta-based Chaos 2 Comfort
Why it matters: If the junk drawer is overflowing, "it's a symptom of a larger problem," said Fox, a certified professional organizer. "We tell people they can give themselves permission to have a junk drawer, but it needs to be an organized junk drawer."
What to do: Pull everything out, sort and find homes for the disparate objects stuffed in the drawer, commonly pencils, flashlights, candles or tools. Next, use handy organizers made specifically for objects such as keys, scissors and writing utensils. Batteries, commonly found in junk drawers, should be placed in a container in the laundry room. Tools should be stored with tools. Receipts should be stored with, well, you get the idea.
Problem: Crowded closets
Expert: Again, Fox with Chaos 2 Comfort
Why it matters: "Hall closets do collect everything, especially if you don't have a mudroom in the house," Fox said. "It often ends up looking just like the junk drawer. We try to keep it streamlined to coats, hats, scarves and such."
What to do: Remove everything and sort through the items, deciding why the item is in the closet and if there is a better home for it elsewhere. (You might use a freestanding clothing rack to help sort hanging items, she said.) For example, store sports equipment in its own area, perhaps in a garage, while vacuum cleaners might better be suited for a laundry area. Assess what you need to use the closet for and plan a closet system accordingly. Fox likes adjustable track systems, such as The Container Store's customizable Elfa system or closet organizers made by Rubbermaid or Closetmaid.
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