9 Areas to Organize to Start the New Year

9 Areas to Organize to Start the New Year

Organizing your home in January is a great way to start the year fresh and create a more comfortable and efficient living space. Here are some suggestions for areas you might consider organizing. Choose one or two impactful areas to start.

Living Room

  • Declutter by removing items that don’t belong or that you no longer need.
  • Clean and organize entertainment centers, shelves, and tables. Wipe furniture down while it’s emptied.

Kitchen

  • Clean out your pantry and discard expired items. Plan your meals based on remaining items.
  • Organize kitchen cabinets and drawers. Consider using containers for loose items if it makes sense.
  • Wipe down and clean appliances.

Bedroom

  • Rotate and flip your mattress.

  • Launder and store seasonal bedding and clothing.

  • Declutter bedside tables and dressers.

Closet

  • Go through your clothes and donate or sell items you no longer wear.
  • Organize clothes by category (e.g., shirts, pants, dresses) and color.
  • Consider investing in storage solutions like bins, baskets, or closet organizers after you have gone through your clothes.

Bathroom

  • Dispose of expired medications, toiletries, and beauty products.
  • Remove products you do not like. Donate unopened items you do not want.
  • Organize cabinets and drawers, using containers or dividers.
  • Wipe down cabinets and drawers for a fresh start.
  • Scrub toilets and showers.
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Home Office

  • Declutter your workspace. Remove unnecessary items.
  • Organize cables and cords.
  • Clean your computer and backup important files.
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Paperwork

  • Sort through important documents. File or scan items you need. Shred or recycle documents you don’t need.
  • Set up an organized filing system for unopened mail, bills to pay, items to file and items to do. It is also good to have a tax file where you can dump any items you will need for preparing your taxes.

Digital Space

  • Clean up your computer desktop and organize files.
  • Back up important digital files and photos.
  • Clear unused apps from your smartphone.

Clean

  • Dust and clean all surfaces.
  • Clean windows and curtains.
  • Deep clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery.

Remember to set realistic goals and take it one step at a time. Breaking down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make the process less overwhelming. Consider involving other members of your household to make it a collaborative effort. Join an on-line decluttering group such as 30-Day Declutter Challenge to keep you motivated and accountable.

Being organized is a process, and it’s important to approach it at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Start small, plan one event at a time and develop systems to maintain organization. Gradually, you’ll experience the positive impact and being organized will come naturally. If organizing is daunting task, the professional organizers at Top Shelf Home Organizers are happy to help. Contact Jayme for a consultation.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

6 Things to Organize Right Before Christmas

6 Things to Organize Right Before Christmas

Organizing certain aspects of your life before Christmas can help ensure a smoother and more enjoyable holiday season. Here are six things you might want to consider organizing right before Christmas.

Gifts and Wrapping

  • Make a list of people you need to buy gifts for.
  • Set a budget for each person.
  • Purchase or make the gifts well in advance.
  • Set aside time for wrapping presents. Organize wrapping paper, ribbons, and tags.

Decorations

  • Check your holiday decorations and assess if anything needs to be replaced or replenished.
  • Organize decorations by theme or room.
  • Set a day to decorate your home, involving family members if possible.

Meal Planning

  • Plan your Christmas menu, considering dietary restrictions and preferences.
  • Create a shopping list for all the ingredients you’ll need.
  • If you’re hosting a gathering, organize seating arrangements and any potluck contributions from guests.

Travel Arrangements

  • If you’ll be traveling for the holidays, organize your travel plans well in advance.
  • Confirm reservations for accommodations, flights, or any other transportation.
  • Make a packing list to ensure you have everything you need.

Clean and Decluttering

  • Plan a deep cleaning of your home before the holiday season.
  • Declutter common areas and guest spaces to create a welcoming environment.
  • Ensure that necessary cleaning supplies are on hand.

Family Calendar

  • Create a shared family calendar to keep everyone informed about holiday events and commitments.
  • Coordinate schedules for family gatherings, parties, and other festive activities.
  • Plan for any special traditions or activities you want to include.

Remember, the key to a stress-free holiday season is preparation. By organizing these aspects of your life before Christmas, you can create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for yourself and your loved ones.

Remember that being organized is a process, and it’s important to approach it at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Start small, plan one event at a time and develop systems to maintain organization. Gradually, you’ll experience the positive impact and being organized will come naturally. If organizing is daunting task, the professional organizers at Top Shelf Home Organizers are happy to help. Contact Jayme for a consultation.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

7 Reasons Having An Organized Home is Good for Your Mental Health

Have you ever felt overwhelmed walking into a messy house after a long day of work or felt suffocated walking into your kid’s bedroom? There is a reason a messy, cluttered home is stressful. Having an organized home can have several positive effects on your mental health. Here are some reasons why:

Reduced Stress

Clutter and disorganization can contribute to feelings of stress and overwhelm. When your home is clutter-free and well-organized, it creates a calming and peaceful environment. It allows you to easily find what you need and minimizes the time and effort spent searching for things, reducing stress levels.

Increased Productivity

An organized home can enhance your productivity and focus. When everything has its designated place and is easily accessible, you can accomplish tasks more efficiently. A tidy environment helps you stay focused and prevents distractions, allowing you to concentrate on important tasks.

Enhanced Mental Clarity

A cluttered home can lead to mental clutter. It can be overwhelming to have a constant visual reminder of unfinished tasks or disorganized spaces. By decluttering and organizing your home, you create a clear and ordered space that can promote mental clarity and reduce mental fatigue.

Improved Mood

Living in a tidy and organized environment can positively impact your mood. A neat home can evoke a sense of pride, accomplishment, and satisfaction. It can also create a visually pleasing atmosphere that can boost your mood and create a sense of calm and harmony.

Better Sleep Quality

Your home environment can significantly affect your sleep quality. An organized bedroom free from clutter can create a serene and relaxing atmosphere that promotes better sleep. When your bedroom is organized, it becomes easier to unwind, both physically and mentally, leading to improved sleep patterns.

Sense of Control

Having an organized home gives you a sense of control over your environment. It can provide a feeling of mastery and empowerment, as you are able to manage and maintain your living space effectively. This sense of control can translate into increased confidence and overall well-being.

Reduced Anxiety

Living in a chaotic and disorganized environment can contribute to feelings of anxiety. The uncertainty and constant visual reminders of unfinished tasks or clutter can be overwhelming. Organizing your home can create a sense of order and structure, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.

Remember that organizing your home is a process, and it’s important to approach it at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Start small, declutter one area at a time, and develop systems to maintain organization. Gradually, you’ll experience the positive impact it can have on your mental health. If organizing your home is daunting task, the professional organizers at Top Shelf Home Organizers are happy to help. Contact Jayme for a consultation. This article was written in collaboration with our friend, OpenAI.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Unofficial Benefits to Being Organized

Whether you are a neat and tidy person or more of a free spirit, there are benefits to being organized. Educated as an engineer, I know I don’t know anything about the medical field. What I do know is how getting organized has health benefits. All of the busy people we have worked with have reported the following benefit of getting their homes and offices organized:

More Energy

Having clutter drains energy.  Stagnant energy builds up around clutter and causes tiredness and lethargy.

Improved Health

People with limited clutter look and feel better.  They are typically more active and have a fresh face.  Clutter congests your home and your body.

Reduced Depression

Stagnant energy surrounding clutter pulls you down.  Feelings of hopelessness can be relieved by clearing the clutter.  Clearing the clutter allows you to make room for something new and fresh.

When you are organized:
You’ll be able to relax more
You’ll have more time for yourself
You’ll have more time for your loved ones
You’ll feel good about your environment
You’ll be an even better role model
You’ll be healthier, as well as your family
You’ll breathe better
You’ll do better professionally
You’ll save more
You’ll achieve more

Organizing is a process, not a destination.  Top Shelf Home Organizing can help you on your journey. Let’s chat about how Top Shelf Home Organizing can help you feel the benefits of getting organized.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Meet Our Organizers

JAYME RADOMSKI

Owner and Organizer

Jayme has a passion for developing efficiencies, systems and organization for busy people. As a child, organizing toys and craft items was fun. As the neighborhood babysitter, families always came home to nicely organized kids’ spaces and rooms. Jayme looks forward to making an enormous change in your home, office and life. She has degrees in engineering and business management. Attention to detail and passion for helping others led to leadership roles in Jayme’s engineering career. In the past she designed commercial fire suppression systems, and spent years in retail and restaurant industries while in college.

JACKIE L.

Organizer

Jackie is the ultimate organizer for busy families. As a mom of four active children, she knows the importance of keeping a busy family organized. Jackie understands the functionality of kitchens, she knows and understands all the kids toys, and is a whiz at closets, basements and garages. You will love to see Jackie’s wisdom and talent in action. 

SUSAN K.

Organizer

Susan made her way into professional organizing after many years as an IT Project Manager. She enjoys helping clients streamline their home and work spaces so they can spend time on the things that matter most to them. For Susan, it’s collaborating with clients to identify their needs, and then devise and execute organization projects. Nothing beats seeing the “after” of a space that was previously a source of client discomfort and distraction! Susan is a champ at making decisions and keeping projects moving forward.

Simple. Life. Solutions.

We would love to put our talents to use making your home and office functional and organized. Let us know how we can help your space be the best it can be.

Organizing Paperwork

Are you stressed by unmanaged paperwork around your home and office? Searching for important documents may seem hopeless. Interest charges and late fees can pile up quickly on misplaced bills.  Deadlines are easily overlooked. Getting on top of your papers and developing a good paper management system will reduce stress. Here are some tips on how to get your paperwork organized, and regain control of your home and office.

Convenient Location

Where you manage your paperwork should be convenient. Going to a secluded area of your home may not encourage you to manage your paperwork. If it is not an area you enjoy being in, you won’t go there. 

The workspace should have ample surface area, basic office supplies (envelopes, pens, address labels), computer and printer, paper recycle bin and shredder.

Remove the
unnecessary, immediately

Sort your mail as soon as it comes in, with a recycle bin and shredder within an arm’s reach. Junk mail should be recycled immediately. Refer to a document retention guideline for guidance on what documents to keep and for how long.

Initial sorting

Create a temporary, simple filing system for the initial sorting of your paperwork. This file system could include files labeled:

File – for files to be filed

Pay – for bills to be paid

To Do – for items that require attention within the next month

Read – for documents that will required your dedicated attention

Regularly go through and pay, sort and file

Set up a weekly time to go through the temporary files. Coordinate your bill paying with your pay dates. File papers from the ‘File’ file. Review your ‘To Do’ file for items needing attention within the next week. Take some time to read through the files from your ‘Read’ file. 

It is important to always be aware of what papers, documents and receipts enter your home. Receipts can be sent via email or not retained at all. Be selective of what documents are collected at trade shows, conventions and seminars. Only accept the documents that are relevant to you. Be mindful of the mailing lists, marketing emails and promotional lists you sign up for. 

Once your paperwork system is set up, plan to set aside time every week to maintain and manage your paperwork. Staying on top of your system will reduce stress and ensure you keep on top of your work and bills.

If setting up a paperwork management system is overwhelming, a professional organizer can help you started or guide you through the entire process. Top Shelf Home Organizing takes pride in working with people to organize and streamline their paperwork. Reach out to Jayme if you are ready to get your paperwork organized.