Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.
Take a look around. When was the last time you cleaned out the nearest drawer? Last month? Last year? Can’t remember? You’re not alone!
Cabinets, drawers and file cabinets rarely receive the same attention that closets do during decluttering frenzies. By clearing out these key spaces, you’ll be amazed at how much space you’ll free up. These are my best tips for giving cluttered, unusable pieces a much-needed makeover.
Clean up and clean out
When cleaning out stand-alone items like cabinets, dresses and armoires, I begin by taking absolutely everything out. If you have items sitting on top, clear them off, too. Once it’s empty, wipe down the piece inside and out. If you’re happy with how this piece works in your home and just want to de-clutter it, take this time to sort through everything before putting it back in. By eliminating things you don’t use or which were misplaced, you can start using this space the way you always intended.
Ask the five Ws
Ask yourself the who, what, when, where, why of this space to help make it more efficient. Who will use it, what will it hold, when is it being used, where will it work best and why do you need it? These questions are particularly pertinent when the piece of furniture can be moved. For instance, if you have a cabinet in your office you thought you’d use but don’t, move it to another room where organization is a pressing matter. Once you think critically about how the space is being used, you’re on the right track to maximizing efficiency and making room for the essentials.
Organization tools
Maybe you’re moving your dresser to your daughter’s room. Maybe it’s staying in the same place, but you’ve decluttered the inside. Either way, don’t forget to break out your organization tools before you put everything back in! Before you decide which dividers, bins or boxes you might need for internal organization, lay out all of your things in front of you and group like with like. From there, you’ll have a better idea of how you want to organize each group of items. For some of the larger items, you might need plastic bins, while for smaller items like socks or knickknacks, you can even use a sturdy shoe box. Keep in mind that the internal organization doesn’t have to be a work of art — it just has to work.
Seasonal check-up
Bins, dividers and the like will help keep your small spaces tidy, but that doesn’t mean it will be immune to the occasional throw-and-go. While we all try to resist the temptation to stuff something in a drawer that doesn’t belong, it happens. At the start of each season, be sure to add a clean-out of your peskiest drawers and cabinets to the organization schedule to make sure these spaces stay clean and efficient.
Bree
