Home Organizing by Rules - Organizing Rule #2
Yesterday I mentioned a simple and specific rule you could use in your home organizing clutter clearing ventures. It was the “one in one out home organizing” rule. It prevents clutter chaos. The keyword there is “prevent”. When you catch clutter at the door, figuratively speaking, you don’t have to organize or clear it later. That’s how the one in one out rule helps you.
I have another simple home organizing rule to share today. The second specific organizing rule I’m sharing with you today is…
Organizing Rule 2: Pick a Number.
This essentially means “How many do you need” of an item. Pick a number and stick to it. If you watch some of those organizing shows on television, you’ve probably seen this rule in action. In fact, I remember seeing one of those shows recently where the organizer tried to get a homeowner to get rid of some of her dozens of bathrobes. Unfortunately, I don’t think the homeowner cooperated all that well. She felt she needed and loved those 14 or more robes.
In fairness, I must say I own about five bathrobes but two are for winter and three are for summer. And they don’t take much space in my closet (indeed, a dozen or more robes would be too many for anyone). In fact, I keep three of them on a single double hook hanging on the back of the bedroom door. So they’re easily organized. By the way if you don’t know what a double hook is here is one:
Vintage Over the Door Double Hook - Stainless Steel by InterDesign®
So where can you apply the “how many do I need” rule? Apply this home organizing rule…
…in the kitchen. How many spatulas and other utensils do you need duplicates of? How many frying pans do you need? How many mugs and glasses do you need to serve your family and guests (Of course, if you host parties but do so infrequently, you might just stash those in some dishware keepers out of your way. You’ll find some here: http://www.easyhomeorganizing.com/china-storage.htm )
…to your shoes. Different color dress shoes is one thing you might need. But nine pairs of quite similar sneakers…think again.
…to your t-shirts. T-shirts, especially ones with cute little sayings and other peoples logos on them seem to accumulate in everyone’s clothes closet. And they take space, whether you fold them or hang them. Why not set a limit to your t-shirt collection. Donate the overflow.
…to toys. As your children grow they are bound to outgrow some of their toys. You may be inclined to keep some for sentimental reasons. Better yet would be to take a photo of your child playing with various toys as they grow. That’s a sentimental keepsake that takes a lot less space and is even more valuable.
Consider getting together with your children every holiday season (perhaps October/November) and decide together to donate some older toys. In this case you’ll use the “pick a number” rule in reverse. Instead of picking how many toys you’ll keep, pick a number for how many toys you’ll donate. Say for instance, “pick five toys each” to donate this year (that are in gently used condition).
If you have any more suggestions or home organizing success stories for this rule relating to “pick a number you’ll keep” or “pick a number you’ll donate” feel free to post them in the comment section below. There are plenty more areas in your home and life where you can utilize this simple clutter clearing home organizing rule.