Making space where there isn't any.

Sarah - posted on 09/04/2010

I pack everything that is in my way at least twice a year.. Usually during spring and fall cleaning. I label it and date it and if it hasn't been opened in a year we obviously haven't missed it and it's gone. I'm brutual, but after the first couple times, I was more shocked that the kids didn't notice. I thought for sure I would get hell because their toys disappeared, nope, and they only asked for one or two specific toys-which then reappeared-and the rest were gone. Good luck.

Alison - posted on 07/01/2010

my moto is if in doubt throw it out.. if you havnt used it or wore it in past18mth the truth is u ain't going to.. mayb make a bit of cash and have a car boot sale give it to charity or even have a girly night and auction of some of the stuff.. if you clear cupboards ect you will feel better your self.. when you declutter it remove's the feeling of being loaded down and u begin to feel lighter again.. I love that feeling very uplifting belief me try it and see.. No need to do all cupboards in 1 day as u will pile most of it back in.. Do a room or cupboard a day and before you know it you will have declutterd and feel a million times better for it..

If you don't have a shreader to make sure those important bills ect with details on it don't get into the wrong hands then here's a very good way to make sure its all destroyed is either to fill a bath of a reasonable depth if its a large amount or a bucket what ever is suitable and pur some bleach in it and put the documents into this and leave for a good while to soak. Then drain water away and squeeze remaing out and bin the soaded paper and all ink ect will have disapperd or ran all over place.. By time it gets to the dump ect the paper will have dryed hard to each other and make it impossible to make out whats on it...

Jamie - posted on 03/31/2010

I am about to move and will be down sizing. Therefore my main focus for the past couple of weeks has been neat, organized storage. I am going to add shelving in the utility room and the kiddos rooms. I am also putting a small shed in the back for boxed up trophies and other things that I just don't have the heart to get rid of. If you don't have a coffee table in your living room, try adding a couple of those storage ottoman's. Throw blankets, magazines, small pillows, and such fit great. Plus they are very versatile in use. If you do not have shelving in the top of your closets, add some. I also have wide, flat bins that I can slide under my bed for extra storage. For extra comforters or seasonal clothes, invest in the space saving vaccuum bags you see on tv. They are really great and they keep those items dust free until you need them again! Hope this helps!

Magaly - posted on 08/10/2009

Hey Debbie...thanks for joining! i would try to think vertical. i agree with Sharon...try shelving to get things off the floor and open up space. try asking ur hubby if he will compromise and sort through his stuff and maybe donate or trash some of it. (sometimes men have this insatiable desire to hold on to things as if its physically a part of them! lol) not sure what kinds of things he accumulates, but if they are collectibles, maybe try doubling furniture as a display case? think endtable shelving of glasstop coffee table where u can see items.

if your bedrooms are working for u, take stock of whats working in there...is there anything that u can apply to the living area?

hope that helps!!! let us know how it went!

Sharon - posted on 08/08/2009

HI Debbie. Plastic totes and lots of shelving. Anything that is a memento - gets packed up. Old favorite highschool t-shirt, trophies, figurines... boxed up.



Sort out the clothes. Trashed, might fit into someday, never will fit into again, and works for me now. Get rid of anything that isn't immediately going to be used and box up clothes for later. Actually get those airtight bags. We boxed up clothes to be saved in plastic totes and fk it they got ruined while being stored in a shed.



If its junky, toss it. Pillows with the stuffing coming out - GONE, unless your're going to fix it RIGHT NOW. LOL I tried to save these pillows for years but the kids kept dragging them out and they kept leaking stuffing - ugh I gave up, tossed them.



but yeah sit down with a garbage and start tossing. I've got two totes of junky clothes that are going to goodwill right now in my livingroom. UGH I hate laundry.

Debbie - posted on 08/07/2009

Thanks so much for stopped by my page & inviting me to join your group.

Debbie - posted on 08/07/2009

I SO need SO much help. I live in a double wide trailer with a open floor plan so I have nothing. No storage to speak of. We have so much junk & 90% of it needs to be thrown out, but it's my hubbys stuff so that tells you it;s all over my living room in box's. Our bedrooms are ok. It's mostly my living room. Any idea?

Marielba - posted on 08/03/2009

I got something similar but wasn't willing to spend that much at IKEA so I went to Target. The one's they have are plastic, but stackable and changeable like the one's at ikea. Probably not OK if you have very young one's and are looking for something more sturdy. Anyway, since my youngest will be six soon, these are ok, you buy the bins separately (which come in really cool colors) and makes our VERY small playroom look cleaner and neater. The toys were organized before but I just couldn't take looking at how MANY there were. Now, they are hidden, I haven't gotten rid of anything, and its something that can grow with her. I spent about $100 altogether in the college section at target.

Magaly - posted on 08/03/2009

Krista: Ha! i JUST bought two of those for my girls toys! the bins are godsend, and the shelves accomodate all their books and craft items. the height of the taller ones helps save floor space too. thx!

Krista - posted on 08/03/2009

For my son's toys, I just bought a shelving unit from Ikea that's great. It's made up of a bunch of squares that plastic bins fit into. All the toys can be organized and put away neatly, and it looks good too!