Posts tagged #organized spaces

Eliminate Surfaces and conquer clutter

As true as gravity will keep your ass from floating in space, so will empty flat surfaces accumulate clutter in your home or office.  That is because clear surfaces provide unstructured, hook-free, often-vertically-unlimited storage. If you don’t believe me, go ahead make a clear surface–table, desk, counter-top, or even inside a drawer–and see how long it takes for it to get cluttered up with all varieties of stuff: unopened mail, brochures, dog leashes, pencil sharpeners, etc.   Our brains seem to be telling us "don’t know where to put this crap, stack it on that table, sure you'll get to it soon."

Here is another truth that will help you deal with this issue, clear surfaces tend to be magnets for stuff we don’t need, use or even want. These clear surfaces are especially useful for holding stuff we don’t want to deal with. Why do you think that “to table” something means to postpone the issue?

If you are looking to de-clutter and simplify your home, try removing a surface or two–one less end table, even one less dresser.  If this is too much for your cluttered mind, create limits on the surfaces you have by adding a small tray or small basket to collect your precious I-don't-want-to-deal-with-this stuff (hint...smaller the tray, the smaller the clutter).  Without easy places to deposit and pile stuff, we often find ourselves compelled to deal with it (or toss it on the floor, I guess, but tripping on it will force you to deal with it).


Posted on October 10, 2014 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under cleaning, design, inspiration, Living spaces, Organization and tagged storage organized spaces organization office organization office clutter.

Organizing your accessories en Español

A few weeks ago Nadia Torres from Telemundo NY - Channel 47 News stopped at The Container Store, where I help people stay organized, and asked me some fun question about how to keep your summer accessories organized. You can watch the TV segment in the above video.  Even if you don't speak Spanish you can get that if you keep items visible and accessible you are on the right track.

Most of the accessories we discussed were women's, but guys have stuff too! With father' day's extra ties and belts around,  I thought it would be worth to spell out some of the tips I shared with Nadia about keeping men's accessories off the floor and organized.

 

Ties & Belts

Ensure the investment made in neckties and belts is properly protected by keeping them organized (and off the floor). Choose a solution that allows you to organize them to hang full length for a quick grab each morning.

 Cedar 4-Hook Belt Keeper                           Huggable Tie & Belt Hangers

Product:    

o      Huggable Tie & Belt hooks

o      Cedar 4-Hook Belt Keeper

 

Ballcaps

They’re not just for taking out to the ballgame. Ballcaps have become a staple accessory for casual days, workouts and weekends — and there’s always “just the right hat” depending on your mood. It’s important to keep your favorite hats easily accessible, the shape protected and free from dust. Find a small unused vertical space in your closet or even on the back of your door to store and organize your entire ballcap collection.

                       PerfectCurve® CapRack™ 9

  

Product:

o      Perfect Curve Cap Rack

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under Organization and tagged Closet Organization organized spaces father day organization tips.

Less <3 More

“What if we could save money, radically reduce our environmental impact, and have a freer, less complicated life?”  Now that is an attention-grabbing-question, isnt’ it?  This exactly is the premised behind the interior-design project LifeEdited.  In the project, Graham Hill challenged interior designers to create a space using technology and common sense to transform his NYC 420 square foot apartment into a comfortable place to live.  I mean, comfortable: home office, space for 2 guests to stay over, a sit down dinner for 12, lounge space for 8 and even a workout/steam room!! I totally recommend you look at the designs submitted- the winning designs are outstanding, and you can also see all the submitted designs.  It is a feast of multi-function and organization.  However, you don’t have to move or remodel your home to achieve this Less = More status, you can start right now and I think that  we  can all use technology and common sense to make more out of our living spaces.  Here are some life-editing steps we can all implement immediately:

Multipurpose spaces:  allowing your real estate to be multifunctional doesn’t have to involved designer or custom-built contractions (though I have seen some amazing work at my friend Lalita’s renovated apartment).  If you want to transform, for instance your living room into your personal yoga space, add casters or furniture sliders to your coffee table and sofa and listo, you have created the necessary space for your yoga mat.  Another example could be packing your laptop computer and file folders in a canvas tote when you are not using them, this can clear a lot of space of your desk or kitchen table.

Store everything digitally: this may require some effort and time, but the amount of space you will gain will be lucrative and satisfying.  First sign up to receive your bills electronically-don't ask any question, just do it.  Additionally, little by little you can download your CD and DVD to your computer.  Donate the hard copies to your local Library.  Chances are you have a bulky printer that scans, faxes and make copies; it is time you put it to use and begin to scan to your computer all those snapshots from the 90’s that you have been carrying with you for decades.  You will be surprise the amount of embarrassments you will inflict on your facebook friends.  Worried about computer memory?  You can use countless sites to store your information.

Think Accessibility vs. Ownership:  Netflix, eBooks, SoundCloud…should I continue?  You get the idea, why have excess DVDs, Books, CDs collecting dust and taking space.  The only way to allow for the divine grace of new/fresh ideas to come into your living space is to have space for it (spiritually, mentally & YES, PHYSICALLY!)

Only Keep Essential Necessities:  Constantly, ask yourself how is this item serving my vision, my values and everyday harmony?  That is a tough requirement to fulfill, but aren’t you and your home worth it?  Think about it, how could you take space from your everyday existence for something that isn’t allowing you to live a better life?  Edit, edit harshly.

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Eduardo Martinez and filed under cleaning, design, Living spaces, Organization, Recycle, Uncategorized and tagged Clever Designs Edit your life organized spaces.