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Dare to Clear out the Clutter
Two Pros Offer Tips for Getting Organized
Courtesy of ARA Content
The
change of seasons and the start of a New Year present a perfect time to clear
out clutter and get organized. To make the task less daunting, experts Julie
Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet, authors of the best selling book, “Dare to
Repair,” provide tips for what they consider the three main “dumping grounds” of
the house. As motivation, the two women point out that the average person
spends approximately 25 minutes every day looking for things they can’t find
in their own home!
- Back Door Storage
- For many active families the back door is a heap of
shoes, backpacks, pet paraphernalia, cell phones and the like. Little wonder
that mud rooms are making a comeback. To give organization to your back door
dumping ground, start by lining up everything that is heaped there and then
assign each item a type of storage and a place for it. Consider creating a
surface for writing notes and laying down groceries, as well as a chalkboard
or bulletin board for posting notes and reminders and a mirror for
last-minute “touch ups.” Turn this information into a rough sketch and a
shopping list. Many storage items are designed for easy assembly and
installation, so in just one weekend, you can most likely transform your
back door chaos into an attractive working space.
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- Bedroom Closets
- After cleaning up the back entry, move onto another high
use, hard-hit area -- bedroom closets. To start, we suggest placing last
season’s wardrobe into plastic storage bins designed to fit under your bed.
With more room in the closet, you can concentrate on getting organized and
putting every square inch to good use. The best way to maximize closet space
is with a closet organization system that includes drawers, shelving and
shoe cubbies. Lowe’s has these systems in a variety of materials and
components to meet your needs. Be sure to measure the closet interior
carefully, taking into consideration baseboards, light fixtures, a mirror or
anything else that might affect accuracy and installation. A sketch is
always a good idea.
- Garages
- As garages have expanded in use and visibility,
manufacturers have responded with an array of new, heavy duty storage
options designed for bikes, sporting equipment, tools, toys and practically
anything else that gets stored in a typical garage. Because garage floor
space is limited, the new storage units maximize walls and ceilings. Wire
units and clear plastic containers allow you to see what’s stored on the
highest shelves. It is always a good idea to have a few lockable cabinets
for pesticides and other potentially harmful substances. With these
modifications, your garage will be more functional and safe -- and a sight
to behold when the doors are open.
For more information about home organization or home
improvement, visit Lowes.com/DaretoRepair.
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