Declutter Your Home. De-Stress Your Life.

Is one of your goals to lose weight or get healthier? Or maybe simply to get more organized? If so, we’ve got good news — decluttering your home could not only help you get organized, but may help you lose a few pounds, lower stress levels and improve your overall health as well!

First, a cluttered or disorganized home simply makes it harder to find items you need, and you are more likely to misplace your cellphone or keys — causing stress and wasting time. Studies have also found that simply being exposed to a chaotic or messy environment makes you more likely to overeat fatty or unhealthy foods, which can result in weight gain. Other research has found that if you find the inside of your home stressful, you’re more likely to feel depressed and to have higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that is linked to a higher risk of poor health.

That’s the bad news. The good is that making some small changes to declutter your home could make it more organized and feel more peaceful, decreasing stress and improving your health. The accompanying infographic, The Organization Diet: Cut the Clutter & Improve Your Life, presents proven, practical tips will help you streamline your home. Give the “organization diet” a try. Chances are you’ll shed not only unnecessary clutter but stress and extra pounds as well, setting you up for better overall physical and mental health.

Graphic created by Closet Works.

Guest Post - 5 Lessons That Will Teach You All You Need to Know About Being Organized

Expert writer Lloyd Carr from Yorkshire Fabric Shop shares tips and hints on how you can learn to be better organized.

Many people are finding it difficult fulfilling their duties since everything is taking place all at once. When faced with plenty of activities, some people do cram resulting in a low quality of work.

Organizing things reduces overthinking and over analyzing things. Being organized will save you a lot of time and make you at peace at home or work.

We listed down five ways for you to be organized.

1.Make a Planner

Nowadays, people use their devices to make schedules and appointments. Well the classic planner still exists, but people prefer to use digital tools in doing a planner.

As you now, being late for a meeting or appointment can be embarrassing and problematic. 

To avoid this, setting a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule will help you to sort things out.

One of the most famous online planners is Google Calendar. You do not have to worry if you bring your planner or put it in your bag before you leave home. Digital tools will allow you to check your schedule anytime.

2. Write Down Important Details

To make sure that all your tasks are being accomplished, put them in writing. As you spend your day, you may receive a lot of information and details. Write important details like dates, names, places, expenses, and more. In this way, you can remind yourself of all the things you have done or needed to do.

If you do not want to carry a notebook, you can download digital notebooks on your mobile phone.

3. Back Up Important Files

Most of the time, people use their gadgets like laptops and smartphones to store information. Scanning important documents like contracts, bank details, passports, and IDs is an excellent way to protect and retrieve them. Make sure to create a secure folder and a strong password to avoid hacking.

If possible, keep the original copies of your important records in a safe. In this way, you can ensure that your documents will not be easily stolen or destroyed.

Aside from files, you can also save your precious photos in your device or file storage accounts like Google Drive. Doing this will get rid of bulky photo albums in your home.

4. Put Everything in Place

If you visit fabric stores like the Yorkshire Fabric Shop, you will notice that every fabric is labelled and placed neatly in the rack.

Doing this allows customers to see and buy items easily. Imagine what will happen if customers are having a tough time finding their desired material.

This shop shows a good example of how you can organize your belongings. Doing this may be overwhelming at first, but you will be satisfied in the long run. Knowing where you have put your keys, cell phones, and other things will save you from stress and clutter.

5. Avoid Procrastinating

Every single one of us has 24 hours to do what we have to do. It is tempting to procrastinate. However, your schedule might get hectic in the following days or weeks. If this happens, accomplishing tasks will be more difficult.

Put in a lot of effort to finish your work duties as soon as possible. Practice yourself to have the “do it now” mind-set.

Follow these five tips and make them a habit. If you do this, you will find yourself at peace and on track. Organizations and businesses like the Yorkshire Fabric Shop make it a point to be on schedule all the time. These establishments spend a lot of time and effort in organizing their duties.

Guest Post - 50 Tricks for Organizing Your Home

You know what they say: clear home, clear mind. And as cliché as it sounds, if you’ve ever tried to be productive or creative in a space that’s cluttered or messy, you know that it can be quite the challenge! Luckily, organizing your home isn’t as hard as it may seem. It just comes down to two important things: (1) implementing a strategy and (2) maintaining it for the long-run. Here are some of our best home organization tips to keep your space — and mind — in a permanent state of blissfully well-organized clarity.

Kitchen

Why is it that the kitchen seems to get so cluttered so fast? Simple things like rethinking your cabinetry and investing in a label maker for the pantry can seriously enhance the functionality of everyone’s favorite room in the house. 

1. Upgrade to quality cabinets and include a new pantry.

2. Use pot lid racks to keep the lids of pots, pans and Tupperware neatly organized.

3. Use silicone pan separators to stack pots and pans without scratching the surface.

4. Add under-shelf wine glass holders to hang wine glasses and save space.

5. Line your cabinets and drawers with easy-clean liners to protect the interior.

6. Add mini shelves within your cabinets to double-up on space for cups and bowls.

7. Install a pot rack and hang pots, pans, utensils and potholders from hooks to free up space.

8. Transfer dry goods from their packaging to clearly labeled canisters.

9. Invest in a label maker and label everything, including storage bins and canisters.

10. Use drawer dividers to neaten up junk and utensil drawers.

11. Install shelves on the inside of cabinet doors for spices, oils and canned goods.

12. Install small shelves in the corners of the walls or cabinets for more storage.

13. Install a pull-out drawer beneath the sink to easily access cleaning supplies in the back.

14. Mount your paper towel dispenser to clear up countertop space.

15. Keep the appliances you don’t use every day (such as the toaster) stored in a cabinet.

16. Use lazy Susans to maximize reachable space in the pantry and cabinets.

Living Room

It’s so hard to relax when it feels like your space is cluttered or dirty. But the whole purpose of the living room is to help you unwind and decompress. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to keep the living room organized in order to optimize your chill time.

1. Turn empty space behind the couch or entertainment center into storage space.

2. Mount all electronics, including TVs and speakers, onto the wall and off the floor.

3. Hang shelving on the walls for your books, candles and décor.

4. Use a slim console unit behind the couch for more storage space.

5. Invest in storage ottomans that can hold blankets, remotes, books, etc.

6. Place a tray on top of a larger ottoman to make it double as a coffee table.

7. Use cable organizers (including Velcro tape) to keep cords neat and tidy.

8. Keep the knickknacks to a minimum and leave tabletops relatively clear.

9. Invest in under-couch storage bins for board games, books, etc.

10. Use multipurpose furniture, like side tables with built-in storage.

Bedroom and Closet

When your closet feels disorganized, it can hold you up while getting ready. And if you already err on the late side, this could seriously compromise your ability to be punctual! Give your closet a top-to-bottom reboot and see how much easier it is to throw together perfect outfits.

1. Consolidate your alarm clock, sound machine and radio with a smart speaker.

2. Install pegboards on the wall of your closet to hang jewelry, belts, bags and ties.

3. Install hanging shelves and drawers for folded clothes and blankets.

4. Invest in quality under-bed storage for shoes and out-of-season clothes.

5. In a small bedroom, switch to a loft bed to increase livable floor space.

6. Use cord organizers to sort out that mess of knotted cables behind the bed.

7. Install over-the-door storage for shoes and small items.

8. Invest in a storage bench at the foot of the bed for seating and storage.

9. Try Marie Kondo’s basic folding method to keep clothes neat and tidy.

10. Mount a full-length mirror on the back of the door to get it off the floor.

Home Office

Researchers have found that decluttering and cleaning your workspace can help increase focus, improve productivity and boost efficiency. So if you’re looking for some simple ways to make your office space support your career goals, start with organization.

1. Use drawer organizers to neatly delineate office supplies.

2. Hang organizers on the wall to store mail, notebooks, pens, etc.

3. Use a flat desktop calendar or wall calendar to free up desk space.

4. Install shelving for books, office supplies and decorations.

5. Turn open shelving into file storage by installing file racks.

6. Use rolling shelf units and cubby baskets for extra storage.

7. Invest in stackable plastic tubs for storing supplies in a closet.

8. Install under-desk cable organizers to keep cords neat and tidy.

9. Use wall organization racks or hooks to hang items on the wall.

10. Stay organized and on top of tasks with a wall-mounted chalkboard.

11. Skip the minimalist desk and opt for something with ample storage space.

12. Buy furniture with wheels so you can move it around as you please.

13. Make the most of your space with an L-shaped desk that fits into the corner.

14. Use over-the-door storage to add space for storing papers, files and supplies.

The thing about a whole-home organization effort is that it isn’t one big project. In reality, it’s dozens of small changes and enhancements. But the culmination of all these little things leads to a massive improvement in your quality of life and happiness. Follow these great tips and you’ll find that clarity comes easily when you’re spending time at home!

Author Bio:

Natalie Wienert started The WC Supply Company with her husband, Scott, with the goal to deliver quality cabinets with personal service at great prices. She has managed all facets of The WC Supply Company, including sales, marketing, product development, customer service and vendor relationships. In her free time, Natalie enjoys home renovation projects and spending time with her family and friends.

Tips For Setting Up Your Home Office

The passing year of 2020 has been the year for home offices.  The spread of the coronavirus has brought on a home office explosion for all the professionals who learned to adapt their careers with a more digital approach.  

If you’re one of the many who have been charged with the task of adapting your work environment, it’s important that you take the time to set up an office space aimed towards productivity.  Here are a few tips to get you started.  

Choose your location wisely 

The location of your home office is arguably the most important factor in setting up a space where you can work with efficiency.  You know yourself best, and you know what you need to be at your best while you’re working.  

It’s good to choose a place that is separated from the regular hustle and bustle of the house, so you are better able to focus your mind on work.  

Focus on ergonomics

Whenever you set up a workspace, whether at home or a more formal setting, you should focus on providing proper ergonomics.  You’ll likely be spending a lot of time sitting in the chair, typing on the keyboard, and using the mouse you choose to use in your home office.  

It’s important that you build your space to be conducive to long term comfort.  You probably want to use your hands for typing and your back for walking for quite some time, and proper ergonomics will help support good joint health.  

Be intentional with color choices

The colors you choose to use in your office will make an impact on your running mood.  Ideally, you want your office to project a vibe of productivity and peace.  

Choose a calming base color for your setup, and then consider adding one accent wall full of bright color to spice up the design.  Adding the layer of wall decorations will help tie it all together in the end.  

Organization is important

You’re setting up a work space in your home, and organization is paramount to production.  You need to know where all of the tools of your trade reside for easy access throughout the work day.  

You’ll save yourself a lot of headache and time by setting up a strict organization in your office space.  Follow through with the setup, and you’ll quickly see the value in the task.  

Sunshine is a good thing

Lighting is super important for a productive workspace.  Natural light is a healthy and rejuvenating way to support a proper work environment, so make sure you let the sunshine run free in your space.  Add a salt lamp to help calm the space, and choose your interior lighting wisely.