Order in the House
Kids learn organizational habits from their parents. Help them out by helping yourself
Image courtesy istockphoto
It's easy for life to get in the way of an organized home, but the daily steps you take to maintain order can make a world of difference. Your kids will pick up your organizational habits just like they do your quips - here's how to pick up the slack.
"Everybody should have a launching pad, which is a place for things that are going out of the home to be replaced, repaired or whatever it might be," says Kim Cosentino, owner of Westmont, Ill.-based De-Clutter Box. This area is ideal for a mudroom, and she suggests using open cubbies to organize shoes, and a rack for keys.
It's wonderful to have containers for things, but it's infinitely more important that each container has a designated purpose, Cosentino says. To store items like hair products in your bathroom, she suggests putting them in nice ceramic containers or glasses that match the room's design. Or, get creative and use found objects or antique tins.
When it comes to kids' rooms, "It's about organizing for seasons of life," says Vicki Norris, a Sherwood, Ore.-based professional organizer, speaker and author. "The best advice for kids' bedrooms is to really adapt the organization as your child grows. Plan on it being an every two- or three-year organization project."
If you have more than one child, Norris suggests determining which toys are what she calls "community toys" and which are more personal. Teach your kids that personal toys belong in each child's bedroom, while community toys belong in the designated area. "Then your child begins to know the things he wants to protect and keep safe are for his personal space," she says.
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