KISS: The Key to Organizing Your Burlingame Home

KISS We all know the acronym KISS means Keep It Simple Stupid and if you keep that in mind, you will find that organizing your home really can be simple if you break it down into little pieces. Ive talked about reducing clutter before, and I think one can never repeat this too often. Perhaps Im talking to myself, or my life partner Alex here, but organization is something we all need. If your house has become too full of too much stuff, its time to take stock of it and begin the process.

Burlingame is filled with older homes that are modest in size. Most of us live in those modest sized homes and do not have huge closets with beautiful closet systems. Those of you who are in that camp can buy closet systems at Target, Home Depot, Lowes, or Costco and install them yourselves. Then begin to sort your clothes into the systems and Voila! organization!! If youre willing to spend the money and have it done for you, the professionals will take a look at whats jammed into the closet and then recommend the best way to build the system for you.

If you have children you know that organization is paramount to helping them keep clutter down to a low roar. A closet system for their clothes and toys helps keep the room more manageable. Start by taking a look at the toys they have. What are they playing with now and what has been out grown? Give the old toys away to children in need. By doing so you do two things, first you’re removing the clutter, and second and much more important,you’re teaching your children what charity is all about. I’m a big fan of shelves and bins for all of the toys children collect. Its easy to organize and easy for your child to replicate.

Kitchens are really difficult to organize unless you are fortunate to have a lot of cabinet space. If not, its time to look at what is sitting in those cupboards and taking up space. Do you have appliances only used occasionally? Large pots for special foods? Lots of extra canned goods, paper goods, food wrap? Perhaps its time to build storage into your garage and place those things there. Easy to find, but out of the kitchen until you really need them. Keep your counters cleared of unnecessary items such as papers stacked up in piles or the mail left in a pile. Group like things in the same area - baking items are all related so keep them together if you bake a lot. Are your upper cabinets organized in a logical way? Dishes and glassware should be somewhere near your sink and dishwasher to make it easier to unload and put away. Look at what you have very carefully and decide if you really use it and need it. If you don’t need it or don’t use it, give it away, or sell it in a garage sale. Spring is a great time to have one and you can earn some money while organizing your home and reducing the clutter.

If you are living in clutter stop a minute and try to figure out why you are doing this. Is there some reason you cant get rid of things? If your things are that, just things, then remember KISS, and sort as you organize with one pile for throw away, one pile for give away or sell, and one pile for keeping. Try selling things before giving them away, but any way you do it, your home will be the winner and so will your pocketbook, with some cash to use for other things. Just don’t buy any more things that will clutter up your home.

Use your garage space to your advantage. If you really, really have to keep those special things, then pack them up carefully into a carton, label it, and store it in the rafters or on shelves youve installed to store your overflow from the house. While youre in the garage its a good time to organize your work bench by hanging tools on a peg board and then remember to put back what youve just used. As for garden tools? Drill a hole at the top of the handle, if one doesnt already exist, and hand them up using peg board or tool racks. Same thing for bikes, or other toys.

This isnt a one day job. It will take a little planning on your part. Start with your house and then move out to the garage. Once youre done, stand back and admire your handy work. And, open space. Just keep it that way so when its time to move, you will have an easier time preparing your home for sale and then the move.