Is there an area or areas in your home that you avoid?  Every time you walk past that room or corner do you cringe knowing it needs attention?  Do you get the gumption to dig in and go through all the clutter only to lose steam halfway through because you don’t know what to do with half of the stuff?

You are not alone!

Sometimes getting started is the hardest part and it’s even harder with out a good plan.  Organizing projects can take some blood, sweat and tears, but with the right plan of attack and not biting off more that you can chew, it can be painless.  The end result is priceless! Just think about how you will feel when you can walk past that room or corner and it brings a smile to your face.

An organized space helps us think more clearly, relax and allows us to enjoy the things that really matter.

How does one feel this way you ask?  It is possible to achieve a space you love.  I have put together 5 steps to help you organize any room in your home.  Remember it’s always best to start with a plan.

1. Assess your space.  Grab a pad of paper and a pen and hang out in the space that you want to transform.  Write down the activities that you want to use the room for.  Such as, hanging out with the family and watching movies, creating an office space for you, a craft room, preparing meals and doing homework.  What ever it is, define its purpose.  Now, write down all the things about it that bother you like, not enough storage space, toys all over, the furniture arrangement doesn’t work, shoes and back packs pile up, etc.

2. Create the plan.  Now that you have a list of what works and what doesn’t decide how you want the room to be and what you need.  For example if toy storage is on your list, you might need a shelving unit in the corner to store toys in bins or baskets with lids for toy storage.  Maybe your sofa can be moved up or to a different part of the room. This can implement the shelf unit on the wall or a short one behind the sofa.  Look at your room as a whole and how you can utilize all the space. Don’t forget about the walls and the height of your ceilings, floating shelves are a great addition.  If you are battling messy drawers, add drawer-organizing containers to your list.

3. Clear the clutter.  If you are still feeling overwhelmed with the size of your project what I am about to tell you will help.  It’s time to clear the clutter. You need to arm yourself with.

• A box for items to be donated
• Trash bags
•  A box for items that belong in other parts of the home. (I also  like to use laundry baskets for this, one for upstairs, one for down)

If the amount of clutter is overwhelming break the space down into sections. Armed with your boxes begin in on section of the space.  Don’t give yourself more that 15 seconds to contemplate over one item.  Keep it moving and with each item ask yourself these questions.

• Do I use this now
• When was the last time I even looked at this
• Do I love it
• Do I remember where I got it

If you answer "No" or "I don’t know" to 2 of these questions, get rid of it.  Proceed with this process for a half hour.  Now take a look at what you have accomplished! Are you moving and grooving?  I have a secret to tell you

THE FURTHER YOU GO THE MORE ENERGY YOU WILL HAVE AND THE DECISIONS WILL BECOME EASIER!

It is a cleansing to have the permission to get rid of things you no longer have a use for or you don’t want. 

4. Put it back together.. You have gone through your whole space and now what? Go back to your list of what you do want in that room and the ideas you wrote down that will help you get there.  It’s time to implement them.  This is the fun part. Remember what the room’s purpose is and stick to it!  I know things will sneak back in there. That’s just part of life, but when it’s time for you to clean up it will be easy peesy because you are clear on the rooms purpose.

5. Enjoy your space! You did it and it was hard work.  How do you feel? Like a load has been lifted? Do you feel energized to start a new space? I bet you do! Remember these steps and if you are worried about how your family will react, have them help you.  If your family has a hand in all the hard work, they will own it too.