Picture Submission #1

Here is one of the submissions I received and what I would do with it:

1.       Lower left, under desk:  Looks like they have a lot of papers and odds and ends (with the plastic bin and the box). I would keep an eye out at garage sales and second hand stores for a filing cabinet. Hit the dollar store for some folders and files and sort that out into a more reasonable system (whatever works for them). Until you get a cabinet, I would suggest a box, maybe one with a lid? The plastic tub, I would have to know what was inside to figure that out, but it could be reorganized and put on the box/cabinet.

2.       These papers and books could be better organized into folders and standing on end instead of stacked for the sake of finding things in the pile. Some of them may be incorporated into the cabinet/box as well.

3.       A and B: The first box looks like it might be able to be moved to the shelf. The CD’s, combined with 3b’s CD’s should be moved into a shoe box or a CD case (whichever is easier for the person). Maybe this, too, can fit on the shelf or possibly the desk where 3b currently is.

4.       I am guessing this is an extra tower that is not in use. Maybe it could be moved to the back corner behind the current tower OR to a storage location elsewhere in the house.

The rest of the papers and what not should be sorted into the shelf folders or the box/cabinet and placed in a system that works best for the person. Some people prefer alphabetical. Some prefer things to be placed in order of most used to least. There are many ways to sort things, but when they are sorted, it makes it easier to find them. So I say sort them to what works best for you!

Took me a while to figure out what I would do here. I would start by marking off some area’s in chalk on the driveway (pick a nice day when there is NO rain due and plan on getting it all done that day). Areas such as “Storage” “Donation” “Lawn/Yard Care” “Auto” “Tools” “Sports”. Start taking things out and putting them in the areas they fit. Feel free to add more categories as you go along.

The key here is to remove it all while sorting and THEN put it back in. Getting rid of some stuff or moving it to another area (if it is better in the basement for example) would be paramount. There is too much stuff in this garage to try and do it in steps. Sometimes, a job is just too big.

That’s it for this week, folks! Be sure to send me more submissions! Happy Organizing!