What skeltons are in your closet? I’m not talking about secrets from your past, but really skeletons that you may have with your Halloween decorations! And for that matter, how about candles and wreaths, or that punch bowl you need for the holiday party? Storage areas like attics, basements and garages are sometimes the most disorganized areas of our homes. Why? Because it’s easy to shove things there and not think about them for a whole year.

Here are some simple tips for using the upcoming holiday seasons to motivate you and your family to organize your storage areas:

TAKE INVENTORY

• Go to your storage areas and identify what is in there. It’s a good idea to write it down and post the list on or near the door so everyone in the family knows what is there.
• If you are not sure what’s lurking in those boxes in your basement or attic, you may have to unearth the contents. Allow yourself enough time to open each box and label it but don’t get caught up in pulling everything out just yet! Tried to avoid more than one “miscellaneous” box.

PUT LIKE THINGS TOGETHER

• If you have multiple storage areas you may find that the same category of items appears in all of them. If that’s the case, decide which area can hold all of it and move the boxes. This is like playing with the pieces of a puzzle – as one goes in another might have to come out.
• Once you are satisfied with the location of your stored items, make sure your storage boxes and shelves are appropriate for that area of your house. Basement storage should be off the floor in case of water damage. In dryer areas, a paper box is fine, but you can’t go wrong with plastic bins with lids for most types of storage.

DO TIMELY CLEAN OUTS

• Before a holiday arrives, take some time to identify what you need and what you don’t!  If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, for example, take out the platters and pans that you need.  While you’re looking at extra serving ware or cookware decide if there’s anything you can let go of and donate it to a shelter or charity. You’ll have more room in storage and someone in need will be able to make a holiday meal.

• Once you’re finished decorating, anything left in the boxes can be tossed (if damaged) or donated (if in good condition.)  Places to donate: assisted-living facilities, schools, community centers, local theatre or scouting groups.

• Storage clean outs take a little planning and a lot of motivation. In addition to your basement, attic and garage, you may want to organize the…

Spare bedroom – before out-of-town guests arrive

Gift closet –before you hit the stores for holiday shopping

Clothes closet – as the weather turns colder

Coat closet – before the first snowfall

In each area, remember to categorize, purge and then re-arrange.  (C.P.R.)

Debbie Lillard
Professional Organizer
NAPO-GPC Professional Development Director
Author of "Absolutely Organized"
www.spacetospare.com

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