Organize Holiday Décor
Purge Kids' Closets
Get your kids' closets in order now, and you'll be set for months. "Spring is the perfect time to go through your kids' closets and purge," says organization expert Jennifer Ford Berry, author of the Organize Now! books. "Not only is this consignment sale season, when you can trade your clutter for cash, but it will save you time throughout the season if you match up outfits now."
Make Crafty Arrangements
You know how you have to constantly move that end table to vacuum near the sofa? "Organize your furniture so you can get your vacuum completely around everything without moving furniture," says Reichert. "Vacuuming is a snap if you have the room organized correctly."
Clean Windows
Pick a super-nice day in early spring when it's the perfect temperature: not too hot and not too cold. "Clean those windows inside and out," says Ford Berry. "This is a great time to get this task done, since the weather is perfect."
Streamline the 'Launch Pad'
Every family has that space where they start their day from. "Organize your family launch pad, the area where you enter and exit your home, for the spring and summer season," says Ford Berry. "Remove items left from the winter season. Add the beach bag, beach towels, flip flops, spring jacket, sunglasses and all of the things you will constantly be needing as you run out of the house for the coming season."
Create Stations
Stations: It's the word of your organizing life, and will save time day after day. "For example, make a backpack station," says Reichert. "If the kids have a place they know their backpacks belong, they'll always put them there, and you'll never hear the question, 'Mom, have you seen my backpack?'" And this trick isn't just for kids: "Try to calculate the amount of time spent looking for keys every day. Put up a special key hook and get in the habit of always putting your keys there. Think of all the hours you'll save over the coming year!"
Type Your Grocery List
You buy a lot of the same items every time you hit the grocery store. Make one master list for an easy way to keep track of what you really need. "Who wants to waste more time on groceries when you really just want to enjoy the nice weather?" says Ford Berry. "Take some time to type up a list that you can use over and over. Make copies, and from now on just put a checkmark next to the items you need.
