Need more space: Review, repurpose, remove
BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Monday, February 18, 2013
2/18/13 at 7:38 AM
At one point or another, most people feel like they're running out of space in their homes.
Whether you've had a new baby or just feel like you've accrued too many possessions, every once in a while you need to reorganize your home to make more space. Here, two Tulsa professional organizers offer some tips on how to do that.
De-clutter
Monika MacIntyre is the owner of Checkmark Concierge, a company that offers personal assistants to help people with numerous tasks, including organizing. Her first tip is to de-clutter.
"People are often amazed at how much space they gain when they clear out closets, cabinets, garages and attics," she said. "Get rid of things you haven't used in the past year or things you don't really need. Do a major overhaul of the entire house or the spaces that seem to be overcrowded."
Michelle Lehman, owner of Organizing Solutions, said getting rid of unneeded clothes is especially important.
"You wear 20 percent of your clothes 80 percent of the time," she said. "Ask yourself, 'Do I need 60 pairs of shoes? Do I need six pairs of black pants?"
The same rules apply to other items in your house. You don't need three crock pots and 10 cookie sheets, Mac-Intyre said.
Donate unneeded items, have a garage sale, or sell them at consignment events or online.
Lehman also suggests only buying a repeat item if you plan to replace your old one. Don't fall into the trap of buying things just because they are on sale.
And for those who have a problem with things like books, Lehman advises only keeping the books you enjoyed reading and those that serve as reference material. "Otherwise, re-circulate them to friends or sell them."
Think vertical, use dead space
Lehman and MacIntyre said when you're looking for more space, think vertical.
Add shelves to the tops and bottoms of pantries and closets, put hooks on the walls, and use special organizing tools that can let you hang things from the ceiling of your garage.
And use dead space, Leh-man said. Stack photo albums on an empty shelf in your closet, or put pretty bowls on top of cabinets as decor.
The space under your bed is also perfect for storing things like holiday decorations or out-of-season clothes, MacIntyre said.
Another idea is using the over-the-door shoe storage units for other purposes, Lehman said. Use it for small toys in the kids' rooms, packaged foods on the inside of your pantry, or hair bows and gels in your bathroom.
Other tips
- Light-colored walls and mirrors make rooms feel more spacious, MacIntyre said. If you have bulky furniture, consider changing it out for smaller pieces that don't make the room feel as crowded.
- Occasionally reorganize your kids' playrooms, Lehman said. Remove toys they don't play with. If they don't ask for them within a month, get rid of them.
- Feel free to use a room for multi-purposes, or change the function of a space.
"You can put a sofa bed in a game room or office space that can double as a guest room when needed," Mac-Intyre said.
Or change a spare closet into a home office space, as Lehman did for one of her clients.
Original Print Headline: Need space? Review, repurpose, remove
Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com
