Five Steps to a More Organized, Stress-Free Holiday Season

Between shopping, cooking, cleaning and traveling, the holiday season is always a hectic time of year for area families. Before the chaos sets in, there are simple steps home owners can take to make room for guests and new gifts, and thus make for a more enjoyable, organized time of year.

To help consumers clean up and organize in preparation for the upcoming holidays, local storage design experts with Closets by Design of Minneapolis offer the following tips: 

1. Sort and Donate – Sorting through your closet will help you decide what you want to keep and what you can discard to make room for the bulky winter items like sweaters, scarves, hats, etc. you will receive this year. If clothes are in good condition, take the items to a consignment shop or donate to a tax-deductible charity.
2. Get on Your Child’s Level – Adult furniture and organizing systems don’t translate well to children’s needs. To organize a child’s room or play area, solutions must be child-friendly, whether it is building lower shelving units or more easily accessible drawers and bins.
3. Hang Up Bulky Items – Winter coats, scarves and gloves are a necessity, but often leave a cluttered entry way. Mudroom furniture and cabinetry can serve more than one purpose. Shoe racks and hooks can be used for various seasons, from hanging boots and long coats in the winter to flip flops and beach bags in the Summer.
4. Clear out the Cupboards: Every kitchen’s pantry is littered with unmatched Tupperware and canned food from months ago. A thorough cleaning will allow you to see what you actually have in stock and perhaps even save you money on your holiday grocery bills. De-cluttering will also make room for that new food processor you are bound to receive as a gift.
5. Maximize Small Spaces: Whether you are hosting a Christmas party or small intimate gathering with the in-laws, your home can quickly become overcrowded. Space-saving cabinetry and furniture can make any room look larger. Consider installing a hide-away bed, or Wall Bed, that can accommodate guests by using the space for multiple purposes: a home office, craft room, and guest room when necessary.  The bed can be tucked away within a unit that also provides a desk, TV stand, or workbench for wrapping gifts.

Setting aside some time to get organized now will help ease the stresses that come with the holiday season and leave more time for what matters most – friends and family. For additional information, call the organization experts with Closets by Design of Minneapolis, located in Plymouth at 763-519-1171 or visit www.closetsbydesign.com.