Ensure Your Spring Cleaning List Includes Throwing out These 9 Items

laundry room sink, countertop, custom cabinetry, green gloves, folded towelsApproximately three quarters of both Canadians and Americans participate in the annual ritual of spring cleaning.

Decluttering the home opens up space, which importantly makes your living environment more functional and minimizes the stress that a cluttered home contributes to.

Every spring cleaning list should include decluttering

When putting together this year’s spring cleaning list of tasks, you’ll need to include getting rid of a number of your unnecessary belongings. Making those decisions can admittedly be tough, but it’s the only way to keep clutter minimized.

Give yourself a weekend or several weeknights to spend on spring cleaning and go through your home from top to bottom and decide what’s expendable. The items should be donated to charity, given away, sold, tossed out, or recycled.

These nine disposable items should be included on your spring cleaning list of household belongings that you and your home can live without.
spring cleaning list boxes

1. Old books and magazines

People keep books they’ve read for several reasons. Perhaps they enjoy the look of a wall filled with books, they plan on rereading some of the books one day, or they may want to loan some of them to friends and family.

Realistically, however, the two latter scenarios rarely happen. Most old magazines also tend to offer little value and justification for the space they take up in our homes.

Donate and recycle your old books and magazines and make better use of your space. A custom entertainment unit makes an ideal replacement for an old bookcase in the family room.

2. Old bills and paperwork

A well-designed home office makes it easier to keep clutter manageable. How much cleaner could this space or other areas of your home be if you only kept the paperwork you truly needed, though?

Most bills older than a year or two don’t serve much of a purpose. And if there is a reason to hold on to some of them, you can scan or photograph them and keep digital records (this also applies to receipts).

Dealing with this extra paper clutter is also a good reminder that making the move to paperless billing is a sensible choice.

files in home office file folder
You only need to keep tax returns for six years. Old manuals for items you no longer use can also be discarded and even consider that you can download manuals in PDF format from the manufacturer for products you do still use.

Clearing out all of this paperwork will reduce your clutter more than you might expect, especially if it’s been awhile since you last did so. Be sure to recycle your paper and remember to use a paper shredder for personal documents and paperwork.

3. Expired medications

Your spring cleaning list of tasks should include going through your bathroom cabinetry and throwing away the bottles and packages of medication that are no longer useful to you.

Medications have expiry dates for a reason and using products that have outlived their listed shelf life may not be safe. At the very least, most expired medications will lose their potency to varying degrees.

4. Old electronics

We live in a tech-reliant world where the rapid pace of innovation dictates that we regularly upgrade our electronic devices. Left in the wake of these technological advances is a collection of obsolete electronics that you likely have in a hidden-from-view area of your home.

You’ve been using a smartphone for years now, so there’s simply no point in holding on to that decade-old flip phone any longer. Or the one or two phones you’ve bought since then that also no longer have any use.

The same goes for that old VCR, computer tower, and boxy computer monitor and TV (don’t forget about the remote controls, either). Take them to your local electronics recycling depot for proper disposal.

5. Old electronics cords and cables

While you’re clearing out your electronic relics, go through that box many of us have that’s filled with cables, cords, and chargers we’ve accumulated over the years.

The contents may be more twisted and knotted than your average box of Christmas lights, but in all likelihood, the vast majority of these items can be thrown out and not missed.

6. Clothes that don’t fit or were never worn

Go through your closets and figure out what clothing items are worth keeping. Clothing that doesn’t fit you anymore and which no longer meshes with your stylistic preferences can be donated, as can clothing your kids have outgrown.

If you have unworn clothes that still have tags on them after more than a year, ask yourself why you bought them and whether it makes any sense to hold onto them.

Even after decluttering your closet and freeing up some space, think about the benefits of adding a practical closet organizer and closet accessories. They’ll help you maximize your closet storage space and enhance its functionality.

spring cleaning list closet

 7. Expired makeup and beauty products

It’s a good idea to go through your collection of makeup and beauty products every year and do some decluttering. Expired makeup can be hazardous to your skin, with many types commonly having anywhere from three months to two years of shelf life.

Also use this spring cleaning opportunity to throw out any makeup and beauty products that you weren’t satisfied with and don’t expect to use again.

8. Expired kitchen items

Your spring cleaning list should allow for time to go through your kitchen to clear out some of its contents. Your kitchen cabinets will certainly contain some expired canned goods and packaged foods that are no longer edible.

Even herbs and spices need to be checked for freshness once a year. Go through your freezer as well to make sure everything in there is still useable.

expired kitchen spices in drawer

9. Old paint cans and household chemicals

Whether they’re stored in your basement or garage, you should get rid of your old paint cans and household chemicals that no longer have any use. Dispose of them responsibly at your local hazardous waste disposal facility.

Visit Garage Living for ideas and solutions that will make your garage space more useful.

Make your spring cleaning list next year a little shorter

We have lots of effective storage and organization solutions that make it much easier to keep your home clean and orderly on a consistent and daily basis.

By scheduling a complimentary in-home design consultation, you’ll be taking a productive step towards making your spring cleaning list next year just a little shorter.

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Discover The Big Benefits Of These 9 Small Closet Organization Ideas

Are the small closets in your home making it a challenge to find storage space for your belongings, resulting in disorganization and clutter?

If so, there are some effective small closet organization ideas you should be considering.

Smart small closet organization ideas make it easier to maintain tidy spaces

Keeping small closet spaces tidy is actually quite manageable if you’re making use of smart small closet organization ideas and products.

Wasting even a small amount of the limited storage space at your disposal is a recipe for clutter buildup.

It will also create repeated future occurrences of you rediscovering items buried in your closet that you forgot you even had, due to disorganization.

Eliminate these scenarios by using these small closet organization ideas.

1. Declutter and re-evaluate your closet storage system

If you’re having issues with storage space and staying organized, your first step is to declutter.

After that, you need ask yourself exactly why it’s such a challenge to keep your bedroom and small closets tidy. Yes, a lack of storage space is a significant reason, but are you truly maximizing the storage space in your small closets?

Objectively re-evaluating your closet storage system just may lead you to discover that your small closet space isn’t being fully optimized. This can be due to a few reasons:

  • the closet storage system being outdated
  • you or a previous owner using poorly designed DIY closet storage ideas
  • you have a one-size-fits-all closet storage system that wasn’t custom-made for your closet space

small closet organization ideas wardrobe

2. Prioritize your closet’s contents

Small closet spaces really emphasize the importance of prioritizing the contents that will be kept inside them. Avoid keeping wardrobe items that are out-of-season in a small closet. Move them to a more spacious storage area of your home.

The same goes for suitcases. If you travel infrequently, as most of us do, it’s not practical to have bulky suitcases occupying valuable closet space that’s used daily. Put your moved out-of-season clothing in the suitcases to cut down on storage space.

Create as much closet space as possible for the items you use regularly and semi-regularly.

3. Keep infrequently used items up high

If moving the aforementioned infrequently used items elsewhere isn’t an option due to a severe lack of space where you live, there is another option.

Use your closet’s vertical space and keep these items up high and out of the way. We can design a vertical storage solution that can fit any closet space, even ones with unconventional dimensions.

You can also use our stylish and handy felt storage boxes for holding smaller items.

4. Use a custom closet organizer for maximum storage efficiency

Custom closet organizers are your best solution to get the most out of a small closet space.

Our high quality closet organizers are custom-made by our own hands, so we can design a closet storage system that’s exactly tailored to your space (including adding features like cubbies and open shelving storage).

Custom closets also give you the freedom to choose the types of finish, hardware accessories, and other design elements you’re partial to.

Organized  SmartLine Closet system is modular and wall-mounted, which leaves your closet floor space clear. The SmartLine system also allows for plenty of flexibility to accommodate your changing storage needs.

Our Classic Closet system is floor-mounted and really maximizes storage in small closets, in addition to enhancing your bedroom’s decor.

small closet organization ideas

5. Add more closet hanging options

Add extra hanging bars in a closet to maximize your hanging options. A second hanging bar at a lower level in your closet for pants and other items frees up space on your top bar.

In fact, we can even get creative and install our high quality chrome hanging bars in a perpendicular (front to back) fashion in your closet corners, if space allows.

Free up additional hanging space by moving t-shirts and tank tops to your dresser and using our handy drawer dividers.

6. Enhance your closet space further with helpful closet accessories

You can further enhance the functionality of your closet space by adding hanging closet accessories such as a valet rod, four position hanger, sliding belt rack, and tie holder.

We also have a huge selection of decorative hardware that includes stylish hooks for hanging additional items. Pullout storage can also be added to hold your shoe and purse collection.

7. Use every inch of your closet

Making the most of your limited closet space means utilizing every inch of it, including the closet door. Some of your closet accessories can be attached to the inside of your closet door.

The high quality of our hanging accessories means your belongings will stay secure when opening and closing the door.

small closet organization ideas bed surround

8. Consider additional bedroom storage solutions

We have other great custom storage solutions for the bedroom that make it easier to keep belongings out of your closet:

  • Dressing rooms (or large walk-in closets) are ideal for creating more closet space from a spare room
  • Our create-a-closet® system can make new closet space just about anywhere in your home
  • Custom-fitted wardrobe closets combine extra storage space with refined looks
  • Bed surrounds maximize the storage space in your bedroom or guest room

9. Talk to an expert about your small closet organization ideas

Consider all of these small closet organization ideas. Then talk with a custom closet and organization expert to help you fully realize your vision of a small closet space that works.

Knowing all aspects of closet storage and organization is Organized Interiors’ specialty.

We have more than 40 years of experience in this area. Our expert guidance can help you navigate through the closet storage waters for the bedroom and other areas of your home.

You can discuss these small closet organization ideas and solutions with one of our design professionals by booking your free in-home consultation.

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11 Good Organization Habits That Highly Organized People Swear By

You admire the organization skills of co-workers, friends, and family members, but just can’t seem to consistently maintain a tidy home and workspace yourself.

Just what kind of good organization habits do these people have which makes the spaces they occupy so tidy, with seemingly so little effort?

Maintaining an organized life does come naturally for some, but it’s something that anybody can achieve by practicing good organization habits on a daily basis.

Start adopting these 11 organization habits that highly organized people swear by and you’ll quickly notice the positive results.

good organization habits closet

1. Good organization habits include having productive daily routines

Organized people keep their spaces tidy by developing good organization habits that include productive daily and weekly routines.

Incorporating these chore-related habits into your daily and weekly routine will make them feel like less of a burden and you won’t fall behind in your housework. Here are some examples:

2. Heed the wise words of Lincoln – don’t procrastinate

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” – Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln’s quote might not have been about how avoiding household chores only leads to more work later on, but it’s certainly applicable. Procrastination is one of the worst habits one can have when it comes to staying organized.

Accordingly, highly organized people are proactive and conscientious about not putting off chores. They also deal with clutter right away, with many of them using the “one touch rule”.

3. Have a place for everything

One of the biggest factors in the success or failure of staying organized lies with the effectiveness of your organization and storage systems.

Highly organized people strongly adhere to the “a place for everything and everything in its place” philosophy, which makes it much easier to stay organized.

Are your current organization systems maximizing your storage space and making it easy to find everything you own? If not, consider these home organization solutions:

  • Closet organizers: nothing keeps a bedroom clutter-free like a good closet organizer. Our custom closet solutions can be made to the exact requirements of your bedroom space, or any other room in your home.
  • Closet accessories: make your daily routine even easier by adding helpful closet accessories. Belt racks, drawer dividers, and pull-out laundry hampers are just a few of your many options.
  • Bedroom cabinetry: custom bedroom cabinetry, such as a wardrobe, bed surround, or wall bed improve the looks and functionality of any room.

good organization habits drawer dividers

4. Make to-do lists and hold yourself accountable

To-do lists are effective for keeping you organized, but don’t set yourself up for failure and frustration by overburdening yourself.

Create realistic goals. Focus less on the quantity of tasks to be completed and more on the quality of work that will get done.

Organized people are adept at striking the right balance between the two. Regularly check in with the lists to evaluate your progress and hold yourself accountable to your goals.

5. Good organization habits include decluttering regularly

Highly organized people are habitual declutterers. However, even if you are decluttering on a daily basis, it’s still important to go through all of your belongings every year or two to take stock of what you own and do some purging.

After all, our moods and tastes change, so you likely own more than a few things that simply don’t have the importance they might have once had to you.

good organization habits laundry room

6. Know when to delegate and ask for help

If the population in your home is more than one, there’s absolutely no reason not to ask for help in keeping your living space organized.

Delegate house chores to your family members and ensure they’re properly completed. Rewarding your kids now and then for a job well done certainly doesn’t hurt, either. Hopefully your good organization habits will rub off on them.

7. Do your least favourite task first

Whether it’s doing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, or doing the laundry, we all have certain tasks that we hate doing more than others.

Even people that pride themselves on their organizational skills would agree. Instead of letting that unpleasant chore-to-be-done weigh on you all day, just make it your first task of the day.

You’ll free your mind and set your day up to be a productive one.

8. Highly organized people keep things simple

Multi-tasking has its place, but don’t spread yourself too thin. Keep things simple and don’t make a habit of trying to juggle too many things at once.

Chances are, you’ll end up taking more time to complete those tasks than if you had just focussed on one thing at a time. Keeping things simple when it comes to housework also lowers the likelihood of stress.

9. De-stress and reward yourself

Speaking of stress, highly organized people tend to manage theirs well, with outlets such as exercise or meditation. An additional contributor to their lower stress levels is their tidy environment.

Researchers have found that homes with more clutter generally have occupants with higher stress levels.

Rewarding yourself occasionally with a small reward for completing chores also helps sustain your enthusiasm for staying organized. Treat yourself to, say, a manicure or pedicure every once in a while for your productive deeds.

good organization habits pant rack

10. Maintain a positive outlook

One commonality among those with good organization habits is that they have a positive outlook on life.

This can-do spirit and optimism fuels a consistent level of dedication to the effort it takes to maintain a tidy, organized lifestyle.

11. Make the best use of your time

Good time management skills are an asset when it comes to staying organized. Know what tasks to prioritize and how much time it should take to complete them.

Remember that perfectionist tendencies can actually have a negative impact on productivity levels. And allow yourself to tackle household chores during periods where you’ll experience the least number of interruptions or distractions.

Start practicing these good organization habits that highly organized people swear by and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

We can provide lots of help, so schedule your complimentary in-home design consultation today.

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Dressing Room Organization In 7 Easy Steps

A dressing room (also known as a large walk-in closet) offers many benefits to homeowners.

One of the biggest benefits is the extra closet and storage space they provide. But a lack of smart dressing room organization and storage solutions means you’re not truly maximizing your dressing room’s potential.

Inadequate organization systems (and obviously an absence or shortage of them) will negate the benefits of that extra space quickly.

Before you know it, you’ll just have one more area of your home that’s been overrun by clutter. Use these seven tips that make dressing room organization easy to achieve and maintain.

white dressing room organization

1. Make dressing room organization easier by clearing out old clothing

It’s an old and simple organization solution that works: start by reducing the amount of clothing and belongings you own.

Honestly assess what clothing is worth keeping and what’s expendable by asking yourself these questions:

  • Is it still fashionable and does it reflect who you are at this moment?
  • Does it fit and, if not, will it ever fit again? (warning: this one may be painful!)
  • Have you worn it once in the past year?

If the answer to any of these questions is a “no”, then it’s clear that parting ways with the item of clothing has more positives than negatives for you.

You’ll gain some closet space and your local charity will appreciate the donation.

2. Evaluate your dressing room setup

Now that you’ve made it a little easier to achieve your dressing room organization goals, evaluate the effectiveness of your current dressing room setup.

Is your closet organization system woefully outdated? Are you getting the most out of your storage space?

Do you have helpful closet accessories, such as a shoe rack or a sliding belt rack? Once again, if you’re answering “no” to any of these questions, then there’s lots of room for improvement when it comes to your dressing room’s setup.

3. The right cabinetry transforms any dressing room

We can completely transform your dressing room (or create a dressing room from a spare bedroom) with our Monogram closet system.

It’s specifically designed for large walk-in closets and dressing rooms and features custom-crafted cabinetry with rich finishes that will maximize your storage space.

You’ll have lots of flexibility in terms of the colours, styles, finishes, and accessories you’d prefer. We also have the largest selection of decorative hardware in the Greater Toronto Area.

dressing room organization custom cabinetry collection

4. Improve dressing room organization with elegant design touches

With a larger closet space, you can add elegant, yet functional, design touches that enhance the looks and comfort level in your dressing room.

The more comfortable you are in your private sanctuary, the more you’ll appreciate this valued space and the more motivated you’ll be to keep it organized. Consider these ideas:

  • a sit-down vanity for putting on makeup
  • a centre island with storage space for jewelry, watches, and other personal items
  • the right type of lighting
  • a full-length mirror
  • a comfortable chair

5. Closet accessories can be a big help

These are just some of the many closet accessories we offer that make it even easier to keep your dressing room clean and orderly:

  • retractable valet rods that take up little space
  • pull-out laundry hampers that stay hidden and help keep dirty clothes organized
  • drawer dividers for maximum organization
  • shoe racks
  • space-saving pull-out ironing boards
  • pull-outs that are ideal for shoes and bags

dressing room organization pull-out

6. Let these dressing room organization solutions do most of the work

Choosing the best dressing room organization solutions is more than half the battle in your efforts to keep this area clutter-free.

Their smart designs mean they’ll actually do most of the organization work for you.

Going forward, you’ll now be equipped with the best storage and organization solutions available, so keeping your dressing room and closets tidy will be noticeably easier.

7. Turn to the dressing room organization experts

If your dressing room or large walk-in closet wasn’t designed by closet organization professionals, then there’s undoubtedly ways to make these spaces better.

We have more than 40 years of custom closet organization expertise, so we know how to get the most out of any closet space.

Our design experts have exciting ideas that can make your existing dressing room a whole new space, or they can transform one of your spare rooms into a dressing room that makes your home more functional.

Schedule your free in-home consultation with one of our designers today. Together, we’ll reach the high standard of dressing room organization that you’ve always wanted.

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14 Home Organization Solutions to Improve Your Household in 2017

The ringing in of a new year is accompanied by a fresh round of New Year’s resolutions.

They can be tough to keep and there’s a good chance that getting your home organized is on your list of things to improve in 2017.

Organized Interiors is here to help with highly effective home organization solutions.

Home organization solutions to help you achieve your cleanup goals

If your home organization needs a lot of work, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your expectations realistic and manageable.

Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed. Even if you initially just focus on one project that brings more order to your home, you’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment…and your home will be all the better for it.

You may just get the energy and initiative to do more organizing in your home!

These 14 home organization solutions from Organized Interiors will be a great aid when it comes to making good on your New Year’s resolution to improve your household’s functionality in 2017.

1. Closet organizers

A lack of available closet storage space, or ineffective usage of the space you do have, are two of the main reasons that clutter accumulates in the bedroom and elsewhere in the home.

Use closet organizers to maximize your storage space and eliminate clutter. We have three closet organizer systems to fit your needs.

home organization solutions closet organizer

2. Dressing room

That spare room that’s being underutilized can be put to great use as a dressing room/large walk-in closet.

You’ll love the extra storage space this room adds to your home, as well as the personal private space it provides.

Customize it with wall-to-wall cabinetry for clothing and accessories, a makeup area with a vanity, a full-length mirror, and many more design options.

3. Closet accessories

Along with using closet organizers, your closet space will see even more transformative results by adding closet accessories, such as:

  • retractable valet rods
  • shoe racks
  • sliding belt racks
  • adjustable hanging bars

4. Bed surrounds

One of our home organization solutions that minimizes clutter and adds a stylish touch to a room are bed surrounds.

They’re custom-designed for your space, thereby creating a seamless blend with your bedroom’s decor. Add open shelving, drawers, lighting, and plenty of other design options to choose from.

home organization solutions bed surround

5. Wall beds

Wall beds (also known as Murphy beds) conveniently fold up, which means they require very little space.

We can custom-design your wall bed as part of a larger custom cabinetry unit or in a standalone configuration.

Wall beds are definitely a more comfortable sleeping option for your houseguests than futons, sofa beds, or air mattresses.

6. Wardrobes

A stylish custom-fitted wardrobe can function as a complement to your existing closet space. In bedrooms with little or no closet space, they can function as your primary clothes storage space.

Our finely crafted wardrobes are tailored to fit your bedroom space and you’ll pick the wood finish, among numerous other custom features available to choose from.

Avoid buying cheaply made assemble-it-yourself wardrobes from a big box store. Visit our 10,000 square foot showroom to see for yourself the kind of quality our custom-built cabinetry has.

7. Bathroom cabinetry

Changing moisture levels and wear from dampness can make bathroom cabinets start showing their age.

If it’s time to upgrade your bathroom cabinetry, we have the right custom cabinet solutions to beautify your bathroom space.

8. Kitchen cabinetry

Your kitchen is the hardest working room in your home and also demands the most organization to function properly.

Our designers will work with you to create beautiful custom-built kitchen cabinetry. You’ll love the storage flexibility that our popular reach-in pantries or kitchen walk-in closets provide!

home organization solutions kitchen cabinetry

9. Wine storage

A growing wine collection requires the right system for storing your bottles to keep them organized and in ideal conditions.

We design custom wine cabinetry and wine cellars that will fit any sized space. A reach-in wine closet is ideal for smaller spaces.

If your wine collection requires more space, we can create a wine cellar room or walk-in closet wine cellar.

10. Bar cabinetry

Custom bar cabinetry is a great way to keep your liquor organized, in addition to adding an aesthetically pleasing touch of class to any room.

Entertain in style with one of our custom-designed cabinetry units, island-style bars, or mini-bars.

11. Entertainment unit

An entertainment unit needs to efficiently accommodate the wide array of audio/video equipment we use every day.

As the centrepiece of your living room or home theatre, it also needs to look impressive and integrate with your room’s decor. Our customized entertainment units fulfill all of these requirements.

12. Home office

If it’s a struggle keeping your home office clutter-free, perhaps it’s time for a makeover. We have plenty of home office ideas that will refresh your space and increase its functionality.

Choose from our wide selection of finishes and styles available to create a useful workspace that’s also comfortable.

home organization solutions home office

13. Laundry room and mud room

When considering home organization solutions, don’t overlook the laundry room and mudroom. These don’t need to be dreary spaces – they can benefit from a designer’s touch as well.

We can transform these rooms with custom cabinetry and other smart ideas to help keep you organized, as well as creating a more inviting space to carry out laundry duties.

14. The garage

Garages tend to be one of the messiest areas in many homes, but they don’t need to be.

Garage Living specializes in all aspects of garage improvement, including home organization solutions such as wall storage, cabinetry, and specialty storage racks.

If you’re tired of having no room inside your garage for your vehicles because of clutter, turn to Garage Living for help.

Start 2017 off right with these home organization solutions

Get a productive start on 2017 by using some of these home organization solutions to improve your household.

Schedule your free in-home consultation with one of our designers, who look forward to discussing your home organization plans with you.

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