Bedrooms

May
18

Bedrooms: Clear Off and Dust Furniture


There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs at my house: Any flat surface will eventually be covered with stuff. Or dust. Does this happen at your house, too? If it's been more than a week since you've cleared and dusted the tops of the dressers and night stands in your bedroom, then you may want to join me in this task today. I'm going to make sure that the only things left on the "flat surfaces" in my room are things I want there. This means the empty water glass, the book I'm never going to read, and the hair clip must go. Then, I'll do a quick dusting and be finished.

But, if the mere thought of facing the mounds of "stuff" piled on your furniture gives you hives, don't worry. Just take a deep breath, set a timer for fifteen minutes, and get to it. Be careful to keep your attention on the task at hand. Don't get distracted by the messy sock drawer, the photos that needs put in a scrapbook, or the receipts that should be filed. If needed, grab a laundry basket so you have a place to toss the things that belong somewhere else or will need more time to sort through. Stay focused, and you may be surprised at how much you can get done. You (and your hubby) will feel a sense of relief when you go to bed tonight!

And don't forget about the kiddos. How long has it been since their "flat surfaces" have been cleaned? Is there a mountain of toys and school papers on their desks? Can you no longer tell what color the furniture is? Then this would be a good job for them, too. Use a timer to help keep them from getting sidetracked. With some help, even the little guys can put their things away and dust. Put on some music and challenge them to finish before the song stops (this trick works for mommy too!). Have fun!

 

Photo credit: olgashik

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May
17

Bedrooms: Stray Stuff


Pictures needing hung on the wall. The blankets that need put away in the basket. The puzzle that never got done. I could go on, but I'll spare you the rest of my list of "stray stuff" that has somehow ended up in my bedroom. Let's get all that extra "stuff" out! It's a bedroom, not a storage closet.

If you have too much "stray stuff" to deal with today, at least grab a box or laundry basket to contain it all in one place (preferably out of your bedroom) until you can get it distributed to the proper places. If you don't have any "stray stuff" (lucky you!), find another task that you can do to improve your room or closet. Some of the ideas we'll be doing later in the week are in the Monthly To Do box at the right side of the page.

Have the kids join you in these Monthly To Do tasks this week by working on their own rooms, if they're old enough. For today, do they have library books or art supplies that need put back? Who knows, they may even discover that lost roll of tape or their brother's favorite lego guy. If necessary, set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes so they don't feel overwhelmed trying to put away all the "stray stuff" that's hanging out in their rooms. If we break up the dreaded clean-your-room job into bite size pieces, the kiddos will be more willing (and able) to do it. And, you all may be pleasantly surprised by the finished, or at least improved, product at the end of the week.

 

Photo credit: olgashik

Feb
12

Bedroom: Clear Off and Dust Furniture


There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs at my house: Any flat surface will eventually be covered with stuff. Or dust. Does this happen at your house, too? If it's been more than a week since you've cleared and dusted the tops of the dressers and night stands in your bedroom, then you may want to join me in this task today. I'm going to make sure that the only things left on the "flat surfaces" in my room are things I want there. This means the empty water glass, the book I'm never going to read, and the hair clip must go. Then, I'll do a quick dusting and be done.

But, if the mere thought of facing the mounds of "stuff" piled on your furniture gives you hives, don't worry. Just take a deep breath, set a timer for fifteen minutes, and get to it. Be careful to keep your attention on the task at hand. Don't get distracted by the messy sock drawer, the photos that needs put in a scrapbook, or the receipts that should be filed. If needed, grab a laundry basket so you have a place to toss the things that belong somewhere else or will need more time to sort through. Stay focused, and you may be surprised at how much you can get done. You (and your hubby) will feel a sense of relief when you go to bed tonight!

And don't forget about the kiddos. How long has it been since their "flat surfaces" have been cleaned? Is there a mountain of toys and school papers on their desk? Can you no longer tell what color the furniture is? Then this would be a good job for them, too. Use a timer to help keep them from getting sidetracked. With some help, even the little guys can put their things away and dust. Put on some music and challenge them to finish before the song stops (this trick works for mommy too!). Have fun!

 

Photo credit: olgashik

Feb
11

Bedroom: Closet

I have a walk-in closet. I know, I know, many of you want to throw eggs at me right now. I feel blessed to have the storage space, and we have put every inch of it to use by installing shelving units (cheaper than buying a dresser!). But that blessing quickly becomes a curse when I don't keep the space clean and organized. That's kinda sorta where I am right now. My clothes are a bit messy, and some need stored away. My husband's side needs straightened, and the shelves at the back...don't even get me started.

So where do I begin? First, I need to realize that there's no way I'm completing this project in the fifteen minutes I set aside for my MONTHLY TO DO tasks, so priortizing is important. I want to make the biggest impact that I can in the shortest time possible. I also want to take into account what my husband would appreciate the most. I would like to tackle the shelves that have become a catch-all. But, I know that my hubby would rather have his clothes easier to find, and mine easier to look at.

So, I'm going to focus on our clothes. I'll do a quick sort and fold on both sides of the closet. Then I'll run a dust cloth along the shelves and put everything back. That's probably all I can get done in one day, but that's alright. Something is better than nothing.

How will I deal with the rest of the mess? I think I'll use my FAST FIFTEENS over the next couple of weeks to complete the project. It may take several days, but I'm confident I'll get it done...eventually!

 

Photo credit: olgashik

Feb
09

Bedroom: Under the Bed


I've heard some organizing experts discourage under-the-bed storage. I understand why. It can be all too easy to just shove things under there, intending to deal with them "later." Of course, "later" doesn't come around very often. I have my own theory. I happen to think it's fine to use that empty space for storage if I follow couple of self-imposed rules:

-Be intentional. Don't just shove any 'ol thing under the bed. I know exactly what's under there. My gift wrapping supplies are on one side. My oversized dishes and a couple stacks of trade magazines are on the other. That's it. And I feel confident that it's the best place for those few items. You might keep your bulk purchases of paper products or your out of season clothes. Whatever you put there, think before you stash.

-Clean it out occasionally. Every now and then, pull everything out, sort, organize, and decide what to put back. Because of the "out of sight, out of mind" principle, you may have forgotten what you put under there six months ago. Some things may be ready for the "give away" box, and other things may simply need straightened up a little (like the stack of gift boxes I tore through at Christmas time). And be sure to vacuum before you put everything back in its special hiding place.


Don't forget to have the kids pull everything out from under their beds, too. They might actually enjoy finding their long lost toys. And you may finally solve the "mystery of the missing socks." Encourage them to either keep that space cleared out or to use it intentionally. It may be the perfect spot for storing oversized boxes, but if they aren't careful, it can easily become a toy grave yard. Are you ready? Let's set a timer, put on some music, and get to it! Have fun!

Photo credit: olgashik

Feb
08

Bedroom: Stray Stuff


The Christmas gift that never got mailed. The kids' outgrown clothes needing to be taken to the resale shop. The video cord from our old television. I could go on, but I'll spare you the rest of my list of "stray stuff" that has somehow ended up in my bedroom. Let's get all that extra "stuff" out! It's a bedroom, not a storage closet.

If you have too much "stray stuff" to deal with today, at least grab a box or laundry basket to contain it all in one place (preferably out of your bedroom) until you can get it distributed to the proper places. If you don't have any "stray stuff" (lucky you!), find another task that you can do to improve your room or closet. Some of the ideas we'll be doing later in the week are in the Monthly To Do box at the right side of the page.

Have the kids join you in these Monthly To Do tasks this week by working on their own rooms, if they're old enough. For today, do they have library books or art supplies that need put back? Who knows, they may even discover that lost roll of tape or their brother's favorite lego guy. If necessary, set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes so they don't feel overwhelmed trying to put away all the "stray stuff" that's hanging out in their rooms. If we break up the dreaded clean-your-room job into bite size pieces, the kiddos will be more willing (and able) to do it. And, you all may be pleasantly surprised by the finished, or at least improved, product at the end of the week.

Photo credit: olgashik