by Heidi | Apr 2, 2012 | reviews
Occasionally, I like to invite a client to ‘show & tell’, in their own words, about our work together.
Here’s what Anna, {young professional living in a small space} had to say:
* * * * * * * * * *
“I live in a 375 foot studio condo where space is precious. It is very important to minimize stress in my life to help manage my autoimmune disease.
Heidi spent two hours assessing various spaces with me. By going through it together, I realized there were a lot of things I could donate to charity or recycle. Things I wanted to keep were then sorted into strategic zones/centers.
We created a center {using vertical space on a closet door} that I call “home base” because it’s where I put things that I need as I am coming and going from my house as well as things I need to keep my house running, such as my important financial documents, bills to pay.
It’s like the “home office” in a small space. I only have one clothing closet plus this small linen closet so this was a very creative way to use the space that I would not have thought of on my own:
- An adhesive cork board was applied on top to hang up important notices, cards etc.
- Below that is a white board/note pads for lists/reminders.
- The white hanging bag on the door is to keep things that I need as I go out the door – like lint brush, hat, mittens, pager…
- I decided I would do best with a calender and planner I can take on-the-go, so that’s in the lower section of the of the 3 hanging file system on the door. The green zipper pouch contains checkbook and stamps in the “action” tray since that’s usually what needs “action”
Next, we decided to dedicate a cabinet I already had to create my “health center.” Originally this cabinet was space being very under utilized, it generally was just a spot to ‘stash’ random things.
I hardly knew what was in here before and now it’s one of my favorite and best used spaces. The cabinet is from Ikea. The basket on top is what I used to just pile all my meds in {before, it was on a shelf in the kitchen}; it was a huge mess with no system.
NOW:
- The top bin inside the cabinet is where I put medical bills or reports that I need to file. In the bottom drawer I keep all of my medical records in binders organized by system and/or doctor. I also have a binder from records from my childhood.
- There are two large bins in the cabinet. One is for all my physical therapy tools, like balls, bands and braces. The other big bin is for “pain management.” I keep things like my heating pad, first aid kit, and all medications related to pain in here. There are smaller containers within for prescription pain meds and for over-the-counter pain meds so I can quickly locate them.
The two smaller bins are used for managing my daily meds and also a few I take as needed. There is a bill for medications that I absolutely cannot let lapse and then other ones that are less critical. I am also on a lot of GI meds so there is a bin just for those. This system makes my medication maintenance & refills much more simple.
I have some medications that come in bulk in boxes, so those are now stowed in the basket on top. I also have a bin for my non-prescription daily vitamins and so forth.
This is my “electronic center.” I store all my DVD and computer things here etc. Also things like manuals for electronic devices like the TV etc.
This is the cabinet I used to have a lot of health stuff piled in and it was just too hard to access. This has now become a great place for my electronic things that I don’t access as often.
Finally, we spent time sorting through my bathroom cabinet. I didn’t spend any money on it – just used what I had. Designating specific spaces to store like things with like things has helped me to stop buying duplicates and find things easier!
I have a hard time being organized, but so far I have made some great progress with her help! I am looking forward to having Heidi over again to help me build on what we’ve already accomplished.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Do you struggle finding storage solutions in small spaces?
Could you or someone you know use some help setting up personalized solutions and systems?
Contact Operation Organization by Heidi!!
~ I specialize in custom, creative solutions ~
by Heidi | Mar 29, 2012 | Uncategorized
The best way to tackle any seemingly HUGE project {like planning a party or special event} is to make attempts at breaking it down into smaller easy to manage individual tasks.
Begin with the end result in mind, then start listing tasks you’ll need to do in order to achieve that end goal.
Once you’ve listed each task, you can then begin prioritizing what needs to be done first, next, etc.
You can then create a timeline checklist to complete each task on it’s own thereby hopefully avoiding feeling overwhelmed by the over-all goal in the process. Instead, you’ll feel peace by being prepared and mostly likely won’t feel completely frazzled by the time the actual event finally takes place.
I designed a fun timeline checklist to utilize when planning annual parties for my two boys who both have May birthdays:
Happy Planning!
Perhaps you’re currently feeling completely overwhelmed by your clutter & mounting personal organizing goals?? Or, maybe there is a space or two in your home that simply needs a fresh set of objective eyes to to bring to its fullest organized potential?
Maybe having an organizing buddy, cheerleader and coach that could encourage you one-on-one would be just the solution you need to achieve the success you need and deserve – to allow you to live a more peaceful life you LOVE with more time and energy to fully and freely participate in activities and hobbies you enjoy!
Would you like to work with a Professional home organizer based near Atlanta, Georgia?
We currently serve clients in the surrounding metro area as well as Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan and expanding!
Contact Heidi to learn more about how to get organized with our professional organizer services. Operation Organization by Heidi provides customized organizing solutions to ‘cure’ your unique clutter challenge / condition.
Call: 770-847-0329 or Email: OperationOrganizationByHeidi@gmail.com to learn more.
by Heidi | Mar 19, 2012 | reviews
I just love it when clients are able to use something they already have when solving an organizational dilemma!
While working with a delightful young gal in her bedroom we were able to do just that! During the sorting process, I observed that she had jewelry stored in many different ways, in many different areas of her room.
I explained a few benefits of storing like items with like items (always being able to find things when you want/need them, and simplifying decisions on where to put it when you’re finished, having a good visual of the volume of what you have of a particular item, etc.). Then, I suggested a few options of how her current necklaces could be corralled.
Her face lit up SO bright when I mentioned a cork board, because she had recently found a 2nd hand cork board for only 2 dollars! Not only that, she had prettied it up by gluing on fabric that matched the curtains in her room! She pulled it out from behind her desk and promptly pinned them all up!
Here’s a peek at the finished product all ready to be hung on the wall!
Kids are SO much more likely to stay organized if they’ve had even a little hand in the process of setting up their space.
I just know that she’s going to have such pride in keeping her necklaces together!! We proceeded to contain the rest of her smaller jewelery like rings and bracelets in size appropriate containers (that she selected) and she had a hand in attaching the labels that I printed out for her as well. These smaller containers will be stored on a shelf that will be nearby the cork board.
I’d love to help you & your kids find unique solutions using what you already have as well!
Contact me to schedule your own personal consultation!
Perhaps you’re currently feeling completely overwhelmed by clutter & mounting personal organizing goals?? Or, maybe there is a space or two in your home that simply needs a fresh set of objective eyes to bring it to it’s fullest organized potential?
Maybe having an organizing buddy, cheerleader and coach that could encourage you with one-on-one hands on support would help to achieve the success you need and deserve – to allow you to live a more peaceful life you LOVE with more time and energy to fully and freely participate in activities and interests you enjoy!
Contact me to learn more about how to get organized with my Professional Organizing and Family Management Coaching services. Operation Organization by Heidi provides customized organizing solutions to ‘cure’ your unique clutter challenge / condition. Based near Atlanta, Georgia, this Professional Organizer serves clients one-on-one in the surrounding area of Fayette, Coweta, and Cobb Counties :(Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan, Brooks, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth and expanding!)
by Heidi | Mar 12, 2012 | reviews
I recently had the pleasure of working with a lovely expectant mama. With her nesting instincts in full force, we worked together to make the most of the limited space that her petite little pantry provided.
I always get so excited to tackle a new project that I often forget to take ‘before’ photos (I think a ‘consultation check list’ may be in order – heh, heh) but she was so pleased with the results, so we’ll focus on that! 🙂
Rachel sincerely enjoys cooking and baking, but her small {yet extremely tidy} kitchen provides some challenges to stow everything she uses on a regular basis to the maximum of efficiency without feeling over-crowded.
There is only one short wall with cabinets on either side of the sink on one wall and a narrow cupboard used for pantry goods next to the stove on the opposite wall available for storage.
Here’s an ‘after’ photo of the pantry:
Before, each pantry shelf was quite full with only a few distinctions of where items ‘belonged’. It was proving difficult to access individual items without having to move a bunch of others around in the process.
Her biggest concern in here was finding a solution for her spices. Some lived in the pantry and a few others in another cabinet on the opposite wall in varying shapes/sizes of containers. I suggested utilizing shallow trays to hold the spices {as well as any other *small* container like specialty baking sprinkles, etc}. So, rather than having to always move them around inside the cabinet to find what she needed, she could simplify the process and save time finding what she needed by only needing to remove the tray/s – sort of like a mobile drawer.
We filtered through her existing spices to determine what spices she actually used as well as dispose of any that were clearly expired. (most spices are only good for 2-3 years, if that).
After disposing of many spices, we found that she could re-purpose many of the containers to make a new uniform set! She cleaned them out and removed the existing labels and I suggested using chalk board paint to label the tops. That way, she can continue to re-use these containers and change out the contents as needed. Rachel used a gift certificate she’d been saving to purchase a few more similar sized containers to complete her set.
The jars & trays are labeled alphabetically to help save time when trying to locate a particular spice.
Each additional shelf now has a very particular & defined purpose for what it holds.
She now knows exactly where to find a particular item with ease, and by tweaking a few other areas in the kitchen she found even more under-utilized storage!
To read more about our organizing session,
click on over to her blog for the rest of the story:
Is there a pesky area in your home that needs some organizational attention?
I’d love to lend you a hand in the process
and offer support plus innovative ideas for your unique needs as well!
Perhaps you’re currently feeling completely overwhelmed by your clutter & mounting personal organizing goals?? Or, maybe there is a space or two in your home that simply needs a fresh set of objective eyes to to bring to its fullest organized potential?
Maybe having an organizing buddy, cheerleader and coach that could encourage you one-on-one would be just the solution you need to achieve the success you need and deserve – to allow you to live a more peaceful life you LOVE with more time and energy to fully and freely participate in activities and hobbies you enjoy!
Would you like to work with a Professional home organizer based near Atlanta, Georgia?
We currently serve clients in the surrounding metro area as well as Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan and expanding!
Contact Heidi to learn more about how to get organized with our professional organizer services. Operation Organization by Heidi provides customized organizing solutions to ‘cure’ your unique clutter challenge / condition.
Call: 770-847-0329 or Email: OperationOrganizationByHeidi@gmail.com to learn more.
by Heidi | Mar 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of sharing some of my favorite Frugal & Green Organizing solutions as a guest contributor at Money Saving Mom.
