THE BRIEF

My clients, Katherine and Cameron, needed some help to organise their living room. The brief was to create a clutter-free organised living space with an area for the kids to play. It was also essential that the space be easy to keep tidy. Katherine and Cameron have two kids, as well as careers, so making it easy was our aim!

STEPS

It was all about a good room plan. I needed to create a space for the kids to play, as well as area for Katherine and Cameron to relax and watch TV.

• STEP 1: I drew up a new room plan… keeping TV/sound system together and a play area for kids. Firstly, I needed to move the stereo to the base of the TV and mount the TV to wall.
• STEP 2: I kept the couch directly in front of the TV but moved it into the corner to maximise room space.
• STEP 3: I moved in the toy storage from kids’ room and created a distinct play area using the table, chairs and toy storage.
• STEP 4: Cleaning all of the surfaces and floors was next on my list.
• STEP 5: It was time to declutter… I collected every item from around the room and sorted into categories… a category for DVDs, a category for soft toys etc. Once items were sorted I went through each category with my client… anything for storage, bin, charity?
• STEP 6: Put away all remaining items… I always keep it logical… e.g. toys in Ikea toy storage, store DVDs below TV etc. Most importantly store ‘like’ items together… puzzles together, soft toys together etc. I also like to put away half the toys into a ‘toy rotation’ system. Store them away in tubs and rotate every month or so.

TIP: I use Ikea ‘Istad’ plastic snap lock bags to keep kids’ puzzles and games together. So you don’t lose all those little pieces!

DON’T FORGET: Always finish by labelling surfaces so you don’t need to second guess where things go. I use the Dymo Labeller for all my labelling.

HELP! If you don’t have time to DIY give Declutterhome a call for a free 1 hour consultation. Contact Tanya, 0412 834 120.

THE COUNTDOWN HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!

Two weeks left until the school year begins! Do l hear a sigh of relief? I know, you love your children (nieces, nephews, grand kids etc), but it will be nice to have your house back in a little order! Does it look like a bomb has hit it? Do you not have the slightest idea where to start? Well, here’s some ideas to get your home back into shape and your kids organised before school starts!

1. SORT AND ORGANISE

Sort out the kids play area, bedroom and homework area. The steps to take are easy but time consuming (depending on the mess) so allow for some child free time to sort it out.

• STEP 1: Sort all of the items (no matter what they are) into categories. E.g. Clothes together, books together, toys together.
• STEP 2: Kids usually have too much stuff out at once. So either cull it or create a ‘rotation’ system. E.g. Have some toys out and some toys away in a cupboard out of reach.
• STEP 3: So decide what items to put away for ‘rotation’, label the box and put away. Organise the remaining items and store in a user-friendly storage system, like the Trofast System from Ikea. And finish by labelling everything! This helps keep everything in check.
• NOTE: Repeat the same steps with their clothes, craft/stationery etc.

2. CREATING SOME SYSTEMS

Once you are organised you need some systems in place for the new year. Here’s some ideas to consider.

• 1. Make sure you have a spot to hang the school bags for easy access. Near the front door on a hook is perfect.
• 2. After the kids put away their bags make sure they tick these boxes… Shoes in bedroom… Lunch box in kitchen for washing… Change out of uniform and hang up or put in laundry for washing… Give important school documents to mum or dad to read.
• 3. Make sure important school dates are noted on the family calendar? Then file important documents. kikki.K have a great family planner… kikki.K
• 4. Create an area for the kids to do their homework, reading etc, away from toys and games. Are they getting older and need a dedicated homework area? Make sure this is set up and ready for the new year.
• 5. Have a set schedule for the kids during the week… It will make your life easier! Schedule should include a time for play, time for school work, time for dinner, time for bath and a time for bed!
• 6. Make sure everything is organised the night before for the next school day. E.g. Sports uniform ready, show and tell ready, uniform out and ready.

NEED SOME NEW STATIONERY ETC?

Your kids may need some new stationery, uniform labels or a school bag? Here’s some websites to check out for ideas:

• www.identikid.com.au
• www.thatsmine.com.au
• www.stuckonyou.com.au
• www.pennyscallan.com.au
• www.mooo.com.au
• www.brightstarkids.com.au
• www.smiggle.com.au
  
• www.kikki-k.com
  
• www.kmart.com.au
  

Let’s start the new year off on the right foot. The theme for 2012 in our place is ‘no more procrastination!’ That means when there’s something to be done, just do it! Don’t wait until the Christmas tree is looking well and truly dead. Get rid of it now and pack away the decorations ready for a new year.

The number one rule to getting and staying organised is making sure everything has a place in your home. Start now with your Christmas stuff. Here’s a detailed step by step guide to get you started!

• STEP 1: CHRISTMAS TREE
• If you have a real Christmas tree, have it picked up by the company you bought it from (some companies do this for you) or take it to the tip. If it’s a fake one, pack it away in the box it came in (this is the best way to store because it will fit perfectly). Don’t have the box anymore? Purchase a cardboard box or material duffel bag to store it in. You can buy these online easy enough… Organize.com or My Christmas.
• STEP 2: GATHER
• Next we want to gather everything from around the house that you use for Christmas. E.g. Decorations, cards, wrapping, advent calendar, lights, linen, cookbooks, catalogues, magazines, candles, ornaments etc.
• STEP 3: SORT
• Find somewhere in your house with some space. Lay all of the items on the floor and sort them into categories. E.g. Decorations together, lights together etc.
• STEP 4: DECLUTTER
• Remove anything you no longer want or that has been damaged. Throw out any light globes that no longer work etc.
• STEP 5: SHOPPING LIST
• Write a shopping list for anything you need for next year. E.g. Bonbons, Christmas lights, cards, wrapping etc. And purchase now while they are on sale!
• STEP 6: RE-SORT
• Next step is to look at the remaining items and re-sort them in some order. The first category should include the items you will need first up next Christmas. E.g. Christmas cards, Christmas tree stand, advent calendar etc. Then sort the rest into categories. E.g. 1. Table linen, bonbons, table ornaments together. 2. Wrapping paper, ribbon and gift tags together etc.
• STEP 7: STORE
• Store each category in the appropriate size box. E.g. 1. Store your Christmas wreath in a box that will keep the shape intact. 2. Store baubles and decorations in their original boxes then store them together in a plastic tub. If you don’t have the original boxes store them in a plastic tub and wrap precious items in tissue or butchers paper. Organize.com has an amazing range of storage just for Christmas items (but you pay for International shipping). Howards storage has boxes to fit wrapping paper.
• STEP 8: LABEL
• Label each box in the order that you will need them in and include an inventory. E.g. Box 1: Cards, tree stand, advent calendar. Box 2: Decorations and lights. Box 3: Wrapping paper, ribbon, gift cards etc.
• STEP 9: AWAY
• Store all of the boxes away. Stack them somewhere you have available space. E.g. The garage or shed. Make sure anything is securely wrapped to keep it dust-free. Stack the boxes in order with box 1 on top for easy access.

P.S. If you are a serious procrastinator… break the steps down… one step at a time. Block out time in your diary to get the job done. Remember, 2012, ‘No more procrastination!’

Image purchased from istock. Design by Tanya, Declutterhome.

Why would you ever want to declutter someone’s house? l get asked this one regularly. And the answer… because l love to help people. Helping my clients declutter, reorganise and get in control of their lives is so rewarding. Are you needing some help getting organised too? Well, here’s 10 great products to lead you in the right direction! It’s my top 10 favourite products for 2011. Enjoy!

MY TOP 10!

• 1. KIKKI.K – FAMILY CALENDAR $29.95
• This family calendar is a great way to help keep your family organised. It has a column for each person, so you can keep track of their week. It comes with cute coloured stickers to highlight different events. LOVE IT!
• 2. HOWARDS STORAGE WORLD – BOBINO CORD WRAP $3.95
• This handy little item is a easy, cheap way to keep those headphone cords in check! They come in different sizes and colours.
• 3. SMIGGLE – DINOSAUR USB HUB $19.95
• This cute dinosaur is more than just a pretty face! It connects to your computer for 4 extra usb ports. And it has a handy 45cm cord.
• 4. RESENE – MAGNETIC PAINT $55 1 LITRE
• This is such a great product – magnetic paint! You use it as a base coat on your wall then paint over it with your favourite colour. And voila, you have a magnetic wall! Great to use in an office or kids’ play room. All you need is super strong magnets… buy them from Aussie Magnets.
• 5. DAVID JONES - JOSEPH JOSEPH BOWLS SET $99
• This colourful kitchen set from Joseph Joseph looks fabulous! The bowls stack into each other… a huge space-saver! It includes 4 x measuring cups, 1 x small mixing bowl and 1 x medium mixing bowl. A fabulous gift for a friend or yourself!
• 6. AEROPLUS – MORRIS MEMO HOLDER $25
• I love this note holder… it not only looks cute but it’s practical! Sit it next to the telephone for quick message taking.
• 7. HOWARDS STORAGE WORLD – WHITE MAGIC CLOTH PACK $19.95
• The ‘White Magic’ cloth pack is a must-have for every home. Each cloth has a different use… 1 for polishing and general cleaning… 1 for cleaning glass and windows… and 1 for dusting. You have all your surfaces covered!
• 8. KIKKI.K – GOAL BOOK $39.95
• This beautifully designed book is a place to record all of your goals and dreams! A great purchase for the coming New Year to record all of your resolutions.
• 9. IKEA – PLASTIC BAG DISPENSER $4.49
• Cheap and oh so practical! Every kitchen needs one! A great design… you simple attach the sticky side to the inside of a kitchen cupboard. Then stuff all of those supermarket plastic bags in there. Hey presto, bag storage!
• 10. OFFICE WORKS – DYMO LETRATAG LABELLER $39
• I tell anyone who will listen about the Dymo Labeller. It’s the best $39 l have ever spent. I believe labelling is the answer to a lot of people’s disorganisation. How to get organised in two steps… Step 1: Make sure everything in your home has a place. Step 2: Once it does, label it! Then there’s no excuse! E.g. Put things away where they go!

IT’S TIME TO PUT YOURSELF FIRST

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the moment? Too much on, not enough time for yourself? Are you always putting everyone else first? If this sounds familiar you may need a little life declutter! Getting your life organised and setting up some goals, systems and schedules can make all the difference. Buy yourself a Christmas present and give yourself the gift of time in 2012!

I think a lot of us struggle with balance. Really realising what’s important to us and implementing it. Whether it’s more life/work balance, family/friendships balance, family/you balance. Doesn’t matter what it is if you don’t have it your life is probably feeling blah! Ok, no more blah in 2012! Here’s some steps to help you sort you out!

• 1. SIT DOWN. Find a pen and paper (or buy a nice notebook, just for you). Think about all the areas of your life: family, friends, work, finances, leisure. What is suffering? What do you need to work on to make the balance work for you? Now! Block out what everyone else wants you to do! What do you want?
• 2. GOALS. Next, write down what your goals are. When do you want to acheive them by? Today, tomorrow, mid-year?
• 3. STEPS. How are you going to achieve these goals? What needs to happen to make them happen?
• 4. BLOCKS. You may find there are certain people, habits, situations that are negative for you and holding you back. It’s up to you… achieve your goals, or end up in exactly the same place next year! You may need to talk it through with a friend or a therapist for that matter!
• 5. JUST DO IT! Ok, it’s time to get the diary or planner out. Write down when you are going to put time aside… so you can start working towards this goal.
• REMEMBER… If you are looking after yourself the rest of your life will improve. It’s all about life balance and really listening to what’s important to you. There’s nothing selfish about putting yourself first on your list!

• Why not buy a special note book where you can record your goals and ideas. If you are finding it hard to slot in ‘me’ time buy a diary and write it in. That way you have to stick with it! If you have a family to consider buy a family planner and block out time for you. A pin board or magnetic board is a great way of goal setting too… stick up images that reflect the goals you want to acheive. Stick it up where you can see it and it will remind you everyday!

• A5 Note book with lock from Smiggle $14.95
• A5 Leather note book from Zetta Florence $22.68
• 2012 Diary A5 Leather from kikki.K $39.99
• Family Planner from kikki.K $24.95
• Pin board from kikki.K $59.95
• Magnetic board from Ikea $19.99

Are you struggling with gift ideas this year? What about helping a friend or family member get organised instead of the traditional gift? You could give the gift of organisation by purchasing some product and giving their space a little spruce up! Here’s some ideas to get you thinking.

• OFFICE ORGANISED! Do you know someone who needs a little office organisation? Why not do a quick little spruce up by purchasing some new stationery or storage for their office. kikki.K is heaven when it comes to office organisation. They have a variety of colours to suit every office. Check out their website to view their latest product.

• PANTRY ORGANISED! Why not sort out a friend’s pantry as a suprise. You could purchase some glass storage jars and reorganise the flour, sugar etc. Use labels to make it extra organised! Donna Hay’s online store - jars from $14.95 + postage.

• TOYS ORGANISED! Are your kids’ toys out of control? Reorganise the toys as a little Christmas day surprise… “Santa must have been very busy on Christmas Eve!”. Ikea have some cheap, practical storage furniture which will help you sort it out! My favourite is called the Trofast system… It comes with different sized boxes so you can separate the toys into categories. Finish by labelling so they can keep it organised. Trofast system starts from around $110.

• GARAGE ORGANISED! Is your garage out-of-control? Sort it out as a family surprise and do a Christmas day reveal! Go straight to Bunnings for anything and everything in garage organisation. Write a list of what you need first… E.g Containers for nails and screws etc, a system to hang up the bikes, a new work bench, some tubs to keep larger items organised etc.

• BEDROOM ORGANISED! What about creating a gorgeous bedroom retreat for your friend or partner? Refresh the space with new linen, flowers or a beautiful candle. Go online to view product from Provincial Home Living – they have a lovely range of bedroom delights! Myer is a great spot for linen – they have a wide range, something for everyone!

• BATHROOM ORGANISED! Does your friend’s bathroom need a little pick-me-up? Give it a quick lift with a good scrub and finish off by purchasing some new hand wash and lotion from Crabtree and Evelyn. Or, why not tackle a total makeover with new towels from Country Road, fresh flowers from your local market and lotions from Aesop. They will love you for it!

Good luck shopping! I look forward to hearing how you go. I want to see before and after pics! Tip… before you start shopping write a list…

• Who is the room refresh for?
• When are you going to do the refresh?
• What do you need to purchase to refresh the space?
• Where will you find the product?
• What are the shop locations?

• DECLUTTERHOME GIFT VOUCHERS 
  Do you know someone who needs some advice from a professional organiser? A gift voucher from Declutterhome may be just what they need. Contact Declutterhome to discuss your needs. We can send out a personalised gift voucher for a friend or family member in time for Christmas.

TIME TO GET ORGANISED!

As we all know, Christmas can be a very stressful time! My advice… get organised early, so you can actually enjoy Christmas this year!

First things first… write a ‘to do list’. Note down all the things you need to do leading up to Christmas day. You may want to extend the list to include the whole holiday period if you have lots to do. Put a little box next to each point so you can tick it off once it’s done, plus the date you would like to achieve it by. Stick it up where you can see it… maybe on the fridge?

1. WRITE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Writing my Christmas cards is the first thing on my list. I like to get them done and sent by the start of December. I host a yearly card party (sort of like having a Tupperware party) through my favourite card and wrapping supplier, Phoenix Trading. They are a web based company… to purchase you just contact one of the Phoenix traders.

My Phoenix trader, Jenine Harris, is fantastic! She sorts me out with lots of gorgeous wrapping paper, ribbon and cards. I also purchase a range of other cards (e.g. birthday, thank you and blank cards) so l’m sorted for the whole year. I love it! I invite all my girl friends over for an afternoon of champagne, cup cakes and card shopping. It’s fun and a great way to catch up before the Christmas season begins. You save so much money buying in bulk… cards at your local shops can be expensive. I also love kikki.K for ribbon, gift bags and other wrapping accessories!

2. ORGANISE YOUR CARD & WRAPPING SUPPLIES

Make sure you have a drawer or box to store all of your cards, ribbon and wrapping paper. It needs to be stored somewhere that is accessible. You may want to purchase a card organiser… you can then file your cards in themes, e.g. birthday, Christmas etc. I like to have the following items stored…

• Range of cards and gifts tags… birthday, thank you, congratulations, blank cards and a variety of gifts tags
• Wrapping paper… for Christmas, boy & girl, birthday and plain
• Ribbon… in lots of colours and coloured twine
• Pair of scissors
• Sticky tape
• Wrapping accessories… l love cute pegs and clips to attach cards

WANT TO ORGANISE A CARD PARTY?

For more information on hosting a card party contact Phoenix trader, Jenine Harris… mobile: 0403 343 439 email: phoenixinbh@yahoo.com.au

Phoenix helps support so many charities… CanTeen, The McGrath Foundation and Hospice New Zealand among others.

• Product: Cards, wrapping paper and wine gift bag… Phoenix Trading. Ribbons and gift bag… kikki.K
• Above images by Tanya Lea

HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR TOOLS

Pegboard is a cheap, effective way to store and organise your tools in the garage. Use hooks to hang them and keep them from cluttering up your work bench.

You can purchase masonite pegboard from Bunnings Warehouse for $25 a piece (dimensions: 1830 x 915 mm – 3mm thick). Buy as many pieces as you need and get them mounted to the wall. You will also need some hooks… you can buy different sizes, shapes depending on what tools you need to hang.

Pegboard also looks great painted… paint it a bright colour to brighten up a dull space. The masonite will just need a light sand back first, then paint away! Hmmm, l think it could work in the kitchen too!

DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN? THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!

Are you sick and tired of your kids 50 million billion toys?! Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration but kids do have a lot of toys these days. With yearly birthday parties, Christmas presents, Easter goodies and over generous Aunties (like myself), kids end up with a lot of toys. And if you don’t declutter regularly they can get out of control!

I recommend the once yearly toy cull, or even more regularly if you can. Make it a ritual. I like the idea that after each birthday your child decides which toys he or she would like to give to charity. They could even choose which charity. If they get 10 new toys for their birthday, they have to give 10 to charity. Ok, this might seem kind of harsh… but teaching your kids to give to others is a great lesson, right?!

With the remaining toys setup a toy rotation system:

• Purchase some plastic tubs… or fabric boxes, whatever you like (buy two to start). You can buy super cheap tubs from Bunnings Warehouse, Officeworks or your local $2 Shop.
• Go through all of your kid’s toys and put half of them away in the tubs. Label the tubs with ‘toy rotation’ and the ‘date’. Include toys that need adult supervision, e.g. ones with lots of pieces.
• You can then simply store the tubs away out of the kids’ reach for a rainy day or rotate them every month or so.

You will now be left with half the toys, half the mess and it will take you half the time to tidy up. And don’t worry, your kids will still have enough to play with!

• Above image: Toys via Ikea and Fisher-Price. Plastic Tub via Officeworks.

WHITE OFFICE ESSENTIALS

Colour can inspire you, make a room stand out and bring a room together. It can make you feel calm, happy or angry! Colour is also a very individual choice.

I think colour is important when it comes to organisation. An office can feel more organised when it’s visually connected with colour. I went with white when organising my office. I love it! It makes me feel calm and organised!

When it comes to white kikki.K is my ‘one stop shop’. l feel organised just being in there. They merchandise in colour stories which looks amazing. Check out their White Store if in Sydney… it’s divine. They have everything in white – storage boxes, scissors, pens, even pegs! Ikea, Aero Design and Freedom Furniture also have some great white essentials for your office.

KIKKI.K THE STRAND ARCADE

• Shop 22, Ground Floor
  412-414 George Street
  Sydney, 2000, NSW

• Above image: Filing Cabinet via Freedom. Lamp via Aero Designs. Office Chair via Ikea. Stationery via kikki.K.