Minimizing Organizer

Decluttering Tip:
Do not go on a shopping spree for organizing bins until AFTER you have decluttered and sorted your belongings. While purchasing (often fancy) containers is for many the most exciting part of getting organized, this should be the last step in this journey.
Before buying any container, you want to know exactly how much needs to fit in each bin and where that bin will eventually be stored. This generally means getting the measuring tape from the garage and jotting down how many inches are available on a certain shelf or in a specific cabinet. I mostly try to use what is already on hand especially when it comes to those containers which will be hidden behind closet doors and inside dressers. However, unless they are already at hand, I always try to purchase matching baskets and bins for exposed spaces where the decor truly matters.

-Posted by OneUp

-Posted by OneUp

Decluttering Tip:
Try to keep clutter from entering your home in the first place. There are a few things that can easily be done to achieve this.
First, block the junk mail! According to the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), the average US household receives about 300 pieces of junk mail each year, and 100 million trees are cut down to generate the paper to print this, mostly unwanted, mail. A quick way to reduce this type of clutter is to sign up at DMAchoice (https://www.dmachoice.org/register.php), fill out a quick form, and pay a $4 administrative fee, which is, in my opinion, well worth it.

-Posted by OneUp

Decluttering Tip:
The first, but often overlooked, step in your decluttering and organizing journey is to set a clear goal or vision of how your place will look without the clutter and properly organized. Take a look at each space and contemplate a simple, uncluttered area in which you can see yourself working or spending time. Visualize neat surfaces, which showcase only a few cherished mementos. Write this vision down, so you can refer to it when (not if) you get overwhelmed while minimizing and organizing.

-Posted by OneUp

Decluttering Tip:
Do not go on a shopping spree for organizing bins until AFTER you have decluttered and sorted your belongings. While purchasing (often fancy) containers is for many the most exciting part of getting organized, this should be the last step in this journey.
Before buying any container, you want to know exactly how much needs to fit in each bin and where that bin will eventually be stored. This generally means getting the measuring tape from the garage and jotting down how many inches are available on a certain shelf or in a specific cabinet. I mostly try to use what is already on hand especially when it comes to those containers which will be hidden behind closet doors and inside dressers. However, unless they are already at hand, I always try to purchase matching baskets and bins for exposed spaces where the decor truly matters.

-Posted by OneUp

Thoughts on Decanting ⁠
Decanting groceries involves transferring food from its original box or bag to another (often aesthetically more pleasing) container.⁠
Yes, a pantry full of decanted food looks amazing (and magazine-worthy), but it's also an extra step after bringing in the groceries. If you have time for this and your heart skips a beat when opening your kitchen cabinets to a beautiful array of nicely organized canisters, by all means, go ahead and decant. For me, it boils down to practicality. We buy a lot of things in bulk, such as nuts, beans, seeds, and flour. Thus, decanting is a must for those items to ensure everything stays properly sealed, given that they'll be living in our pantry for quite some time. ⁠
On the other hand, knowing that my kids will finish a box of cereals in a few days, I don't bother moving those from their original vessel to a pretty glass jar. I'd rather spend that time... lounging outside with a good organizing book and a glass of homemade kombucha. ⁠

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Quick Tip - Putting loose papers, photos, and knick-knacks in boxes or magazine holders, makes the space above your desk look neat and organized. Just make sure to label each holder, so you know exactly where everything is.

Quick Tip - have a basket for donations in your closet. Every time you come across an item that doesn't fit anymore, or a piece that is no longer your style, put it in the basket. When your basket is full, take the items to a local donation center or homeless shelter.
The same idea works well in your children's rooms. Most kids are great at decluttering if you let them.

Let's start with a drawer...

Hello!
I'm Chris, and I've had a passion for simplifying and organizing for as long as I can remember. After graduating from university, I worked as an elementary school teacher and college professor, professions where being organized is helpful if not crucial. Teaching my students to be organized with their schoolwork and inculcating good time management became part of my mission. After having children, I became interested in minimalism and realized that simplifying and creating well-organized spaces makes daily life less stressful and more enjoyable. I love helping others achieve the calm a decluttered home can provide.