8 Areas to Organize Before Thanksgiving

8 Areas to Organize Before Thanksgiving

by | Nov 12, 2024 | Bathroom, Cleaning, Closets, Clutter, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Pantry

Getting your home ready for Thanksgiving can make the holiday feel more enjoyable and less stressful. Top Shelf Home Organizing has eight key areas to focus on:

Declutter Common Areas

Clear surfaces in the living room, kitchen, dining area, and entryway. Remove unnecessary items to create an inviting, open space for guests to gather.

Deep Clean the Kitchen

This includes cleaning appliances like the oven, stove, fridge, and microwave. Make sure you have enough counter space and clean tools for all your cooking and serving needs.

Organize the Pantry

Sort through your pantry to ensure you have the essentials like spices, flour, sugar, and canned goods. Toss out expired items to make room for Thanksgiving ingredients.

Set Up the Dining Area

If you have a separate dining room, set the table with plates, napkins, and cutlery ahead of time. Consider adding a table centerpiece or festive decorations to bring a holiday feel.

Prepare Guest Rooms

If you have guests staying over, ensure the guest rooms are fresh and clean with extra towels, fresh sheets, and any essentials they may need.

Stock the Bathrooms

Make sure bathrooms are well-stocked with essentials like toilet paper, soap, hand towels, and any air fresheners. A small basket with extra amenities can make guests feel welcome.

Organize the Entryway

Clear any shoes, bags, or coats that might clutter the space where guests first arrive. You could also add hooks, a small rug, or a shoe rack to manage belongings.

Plan the Serving Area

Decide on a spot where guests can serve themselves food and drinks. It could be a kitchen counter, buffet table, or even a sideboard. Having this ready will make serving easier and keep the flow in the dining area relaxed.

Getting organized early will let you focus on enjoying the holiday and spending time with family and friends! If your busy schedule prevents you from organizing your home, Top Shelf Home Organizing is here to help. Reach out to Jayme to schedule 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.

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5 Simple Tips for an Organized, Budget-Friendly Halloween

5 Simple Tips for an Organized, Budget-Friendly Halloween

by | Oct 7, 2024 | Closets, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Wardrobe

Organizing your home can be a great way to prepare for the upcoming fall and winter months. Here are seven important areas to focus on:

Plan Early

Create a checklist for decorations, costumes, and treats. This helps you avoid last-minute purchases and gives you time to find the best deals. Consider repurposing items from previous years, checking thrift shops or borrowing from friends.

DIY Decorations

Get crafty! Use materials like cardboard, old sheets, and nature (leaves, branches) to make spooky decorations. There are plenty of tutorials online for creating everything from ghostly figures to jack-o’-lanterns that can save you money.

Costume Swap

Organize a costume swap with friends or neighbors. Everyone can bring their old costumes and trade, ensuring everyone has something new to wear without spending a dime.

Homemade Treats

Instead of buying expensive candies, consider making your own Halloween treats. Simple recipes like popcorn balls, caramel apples, or themed cupcakes can be fun and cost-effective. Plus, you can involve family or friends in the process!

Community Events

Look for local community events, such as pumpkin patches, festivals, or trunk-or-treats. These often have free or low-cost activities and can provide a festive atmosphere without the high price tag.

With a little planning and creativity, you can have a memorable Halloween without breaking the bank! For more tips on staying organized, follow Top Shelf Home Organizing on social media or sign up for our Simplify Your Life Monthly newsletter.

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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.

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Get Your Home Ready for Fall: 7 Key Areas to Organize Now

Get Your Home Ready for Fall: 7 Key Areas to Organize Now

by | Sep 16, 2024 | Closets, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Pantry, Wardrobe

Organizing your home can be a great way to prepare for the upcoming fall and winter months. Here are seven important areas to focus on:

Seasonal Clothing:

Swap out your summer wardrobe for fall and winter clothes. Store away summer items and bring out warmer clothing, including jackets, sweaters, and boots. Donate or sell items that don’t fit, appear worn or no long fit your style.

Pantry and Kitchen:

Check your pantry for expired items. Meal plan around items that need to be used. If needed, restock with essentials for fall cooking, such as spices, baking ingredients, and canned goods. Organize your kitchen to make meal preparation easier as the holiday season approaches.

Outdoor Spaces

Prepare your garden and outdoor spaces for the colder months. Clean up the yard, store away summer furniture, and consider planting fall flowers or vegetables.

Heating Systems:

Ensure your heating systems, such as furnaces and fireplaces, are in good working order. Schedule maintenance if necessary and stock up on firewood if you have a wood-burning fireplace.

School and Work Supplies:

Now that everyone is back to their school and work routines, take some time to reassess work spaces and supplies. Adjust the areas as needed.

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Holiday Preparations

Start planning for upcoming holidays. This could include organizing decorations, making gift lists, or starting to think about travel plans.

Decluttering:

Take the time to declutter your home. Go through each room and get rid of items you no longer need or use. Donate, sell, or recycle these items to free up space and reduce clutter.

Focusing on these areas can help ensure a smooth transition into the fall season and holiday.

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.

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6 Areas to Organize for the School Year

6 Areas to Organize for the School Year

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Closets, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Pantry, Wardrobe

August is a great time for busy families to organize their homes in preparation for the upcoming school year and the changing seasons. Top Shelf Home Organizing created a list of six areas to focus on:

School Supplies and Homework Station:

Set up a dedicated homework station with all necessary supplies.

Review your inventory of notebooks, pens, pencils, and other school essentials. Purchase more if needed.

Organize backpacks, lunchboxes, and school uniforms.

Closets and Wardrobes:

Sort through clothes and donate or store outgrown or unused items.

Make a list of clothing items needed to avoid over purchasing.

Organize summer clothes and start transitioning to fall attire.

Use labeled bins and baskets for easier access and maintenance.

Pantry and Kitchen:

Clean out the pantry and discard expired items.

Meal plan around existing food and supplies.

Plan and prep meals for busy school nights.

Organize snacks and lunch supplies for easy packing.

Family Calendar and Command Center:

Create or update a family calendar with important dates, activities, and appointments.

Set up a command center with a whiteboard, bulletin board, or planner.

Include a chore chart and weekly meal plan.

Entryway and Mudroom

Organize shoes, coats, and bags for quick and easy access.

Set up a system for keys, mail, and other daily essentials.

Use hooks, shelves, and baskets to keep everything tidy.

Toy and Play Areas:

Sort through toys and donate or store those that are no longer used.

Organize toys in bins or shelves for easy access and cleanup.

Create a designated play area to keep toys contained.

These tasks can help create a more organized and efficient home, making the transition into the busy school year smoother for everyone. Top Shelf Home Organizing loves to help busy families get ready for the school year. Contact Jayme to see how we can help you.

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.

Get Organized Today!

9 Areas to Organize to Start the New Year

9 Areas to Organize to Start the New Year

by | Jan 8, 2024 | Bathroom, Cleaning, Closets, Clutter, Cooking & Kitchen, Digital, Eating & Kitchen, Office, Organizing, Pantry, Self Care, Bathroom

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.

Get Organized Today!

6 Things to Organize Right Before Christmas

6 Things to Organize Right Before Christmas

by | Dec 11, 2023 | Cleaning, Clutter, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing

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.

Get Organized Today!