Category: Organizing tips

Articles that share our organizing strategies and sercrets

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The SIMPLE Way to Organize Your Props and Decor for Holidays & Celebrations Throughout The Year

With the first big holiday passing and many more knocking on the door in the coming months, let’s talk about how I help my clients keep all those seasonal decorations under control and without added festivities stress!

What I noticed in the countless attics and basements I visited is that most people have one big holiday organized fairly well (for those who celebrate Christmas, it tends to be this one), while the rest of the smaller celebrations are scattered around in small bags, or even forgotten amongst toys.

With so many celebrations of different sizes and at different times of the year, it is no wonder we find it hard to organize everything so it looks nice, neat and uniform. Let alone functional = like remembering where everything is at the right time of the year 😉

If you know my organizing method, it’s all about KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE!
So here’s my simple method for keeping your decor organized and ready for any season.
I call it Celebration Pairing.

Why Celebration Pairing? 💡

No matter how large your festivities collections are, if you pair them down* by their appropriate season, you can afford to put them into bigger and clearer boxes – giving them a designated space in your storage!

*Of course, some festivities, like the aforementioned Christmas, might have larger collections and take up a whole organizing box on their own! If that’s the case, you don’t need to pair it with anything.

And the functional perks? By pairing up by the different times of the year, you also remind yourself of the next-in-a-row celebration = reminding yourself where it is and if it’s complete. It also makes your tidying process easier as you only need to pull out one box to tidy up one celebration while bringing out the following one (in my experience, people tend to switch one themed decor for another right away).

Let’s get practical – what to pair together?

Adjust this list based on your traditions and culture. If you’re only starting your collection, like I did last year with my very first Christmas tree 🌲, one box might cover everything for now from Easter to Christmas—and that’s perfectly okay!

AUTUMN HOLIDAYS
TO PAIR TOGETHER

Yom Kippur, Halloween, Day of the Dead, All Souls, St. Maarten, Oktoberfest, Diwali, Thanksgiving together with any autumn-themed decor

WINTER HOLIDAYS
TO PAIR TOGETHER

Sinterklaas, Mikuláš, Hanukkah, Christmas (usually gets its own box), New Year’s Eve props, Valentine’s Day props together with any winter-themed decor.

SPRING HOLIDAYS
TO PAIR TOGETHER

Carnival costumes, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, King’s Day (NL), Cinco de Mayo, Passover, Holi, together with any spring-themed decor

SUMMER HOLIDAYS
TO PAIR TOGETHER

Pride, Independence Day (US), and any other summer festivals, picnics, and costumes connected to celebrations or decor in the summer.

Extra Tips for Birthday and Party Props 🎂

There’s a whole category of birthday props and general party props or costumes. You can either give these their own box or include them in the season box if your celebrations line up with a specific time of year.

How to organize all of this?

Use big, clear bins:

Transparent bins make life easier when you’re trying to find specific decorations, although if you are visually sensitive, opaque tubs are a way to go as well. My personal favourites are IKEA SAMLA boxes 45l or 65l!

Make sure your bins are big enough to be able to hold it all despite odd and bulky shapes. However, a note on safety: If your box is so large that you can’t easily carry it up and down the stairs, it is designed to fail! Because the harder(=heavier) things are, the less they will function. So establishing two medium boxes instead of 1 large one is a better idea!

Label

You might think you will remember everything from the day you are organizing. But a year later, it won’t come so easily! Always use labels for anything that’s grabbed occasionally. I usually write down the season + the different celebrations that belong to it.

Keep It Flexible

Celebration Pairing is designed to grow with you. As your collection expands, this method allows for easy adjustment. Just add to the existing seasonal box, and you’re good to go! That’s why it’s key that your storage boxes are big enough.

Here’s to a well-organized, stress-free holiday season! 🥂

Copyright – Lucie Krobova
Founder of Your SPACE by Lucie
Professional Organizer and Chronic Disorganization Specialist
Amsterdam, NL

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FROM SHAME TO PRIDE: What is Virtual Organizing and why it became my favorite working method?

Just as the world got familiar with the industry of “professional organizing” and we don’t have to explain what we do nearly as much as we used to, a new working method has emerged and taken the world by storm – Virtual Organizing.

I became a Certified Virtual Organizing Professional ™ after I followed an intensive training in autumn of 2023. Ever since I am growing more and more fond of this work method as I am noticing the important changes that are happening under the surface with my clients.

So, what is my experience with virtual organizing, and how can you understand the ultimate benefits of taking this work to the video based working realm?

THE INNER REALM CHANGES

The biggest benefit of functional home organization and clutter-free space is unseen by the eye, making our popular “Before & After pictures” of little relevance. The most important change is what happens inside our clients – their emotions, their mental focus, their selftalk…

So let me start explaining the benefits of virtual organizing by sharing the “Before & After” of the inner landscape of my two virtual clients.

Client 1 (Married, mid-age woman with passion for many hobies and responsibility for caring for her elderly mother’s household)

Client 2 (Single mother of a 3 y. o. with autism spectrum and addictive history)

What these two stories have strongly in common is what lies in the core of virtual organizing process. It is the learning, the confidence, the feeling of pride my clients have achieved. It is the recognition that they gained the tools and the understanding of how to create an organized and clutter-free home, and the motivation to keep it so.

Even though it is my goal during my in-person sessions to arrive at the similiar result of learning, it doesn’t always happen. With virtual organizing, such learning is almost inevitable and that is what makes me extremely excited!

I can spot the most obvious difference in the feedback I get. Going from “Look what an amaizng work you/we did Lucie” and “I will have to call you in again” that I hear so often during an in-person projects, to “I am proud of myself and what I achieved” and “I feel motivated to keep going” after a virtual project.



BEING GUIDED WHILE DOING THE WORK YOURSELF

During my training my teacher was well aware of this hidden benefit, so in our studies, we focused on understanding the key principles of virtual organizing success. HOW TO MOVE FROM SHAME TO PRIDE. Here is an extremly simplified version of how such process takes root…

  1. Neuroplasticity
    We now understand that our brains can change anytime, rewiring and forming new habits. If we consistently practice a new habit over the old one, the brain will eventually wire the new way of being as the default one. This applies to everything, including tidying your home. During our sessions, we will be re-training that the “overwhelming,” “boring,” and “paralyzing” tasks can be approached—we move into action.
  2. Accountability
    The consistency of our meetings repeats that action. I will hold you accountable for showing up, doing your in-between work, and calling you on any attempts to slide into your old patterns. Action, when repeated often enough and for long enough, forms new ways of habitual being. As in each process, there are good changes for backsliding, but our regular appointments will bring you back on track.
  3. Internal motivation
    How does one ensure you can keep the action going beyond the external motivation of being held accountable? The body’s best motivator is our brain – the brain that rewards us with motivating hormones each time we taste success. With every discarded bag of clutter, every meter of reclaimed space, every day that’s been efficient, and every look at your own before and after photos, your internal reward system ensures you get supplied with new motivation to keep going.
  4. Self-efficacy and confidence
    After frequent repetitions – taking action, forming new habits, being held accountable, and experiencing internal surges of motivation – you will reach a state where you have made significant changes in how you run your household. Those shifts start changing the way my clients feel about themselves. They regain a sense of control and self-efficacy and move from shame to pride.
  5. Joyful pride
    Once guilt and shame stop punishing you, a wave of energy releases. That’s because under an attack (even if self-directed), we hold the operations of our nervous system on a survival level – fighting or paralyzed- and our ways of operation won’t be efficient. Once (modest and joyful) pride, self-trust, and self-acceptance enter the game, our brain can move into a more efficient way of learning and executing – experienced as less procrastinative behaviors, more energy, and more internal motivation, resulting in more long-term and successful habits.

READYNESS TO CHANGE

As you can see, I am talking a lot about “change,” and that is exactly what virtual organizing is best suited for. So, if you have been looking to change your habits around clutter and organization in your home (or your workplace), consider looking into working with me virtually.

If you want to give this a taste, here is what you need to know about virtual organizing work:
You’re on the right place if…

  • You want to change how you run your household and are ready to start a change process.
  •  You think you can do it independently (although you have not) and don’t need someone beside you.
  •  You want guidance, accountability, and knowledge. You have the capacity to execute the work physically during and between the sessions.
  •  You may not have the finances, time, or energy to spend on an in-person project with a professional organizer.
  •  You have stable internet and understand the basics of technology and video calling.
  •  You can articulate and describe what is going on.
BOOK YOUR FREE INTAKE CONSULTATION
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From Winter to Summer and Back: Mastering the Seasonal Wardrobe Switching in 6 Clear Steps

Today I brought my last suitcase (I mean the second one) to the basement with freshly washed winter coats. It is the last week of May, which marks your last chance to prepare and switch your wardrobe for the summer season. Well….of course, only if it is for you! What are the benefits of that, and in what situations does it not make sense? Read my previous article to find out.

Now, if you know that a seasonal clothing switch is something for you because you wish to save space or renew your excitement for your clothing, it helps if you are clear on what to do each time.

I always start switching in May, as I can finally be sure it won’t start randomly snowing (Dutch weather can be very unpredictable), and then back around October. Although this time, I experiment with a “spring collection” to see how that goes.

Follow these six simple steps, and try beating my 90mins switch time. I look forward to reading how long it took you in the comments.

  1. Clear space (on your bed)
    Begin by creating a designated area where you can sort through your clothing. This will help you stay organized and focused throughout the process. Have some sturdy shopping bags ready for donations and your hamper nearby.
  2. Sort and decide
    Bring out each piece of clothing, one by one, and go through the decision-making process, which divides them into four distinct piles:
    • Pile 1: Store away winter items: Place all the clothing that belongs to the current winter season in this pile.
    • Pile 2: Declutter and let go: Place the clothes that you no longer want or need in this pile – right into the donation bag!
    • Pile 3: Stay for the following season: Some items such as basic t-shirts fit any season. If you wish to keep some items in your wardrobe for the next season, place them into a distinct pile on the bed.
    • Pile 4: Sentimental items: Set aside any sentimental pieces that don’t quite fit into the other piles.
  3. Time to dust off!
    Take advantage of the empty space and give your wardrobe a quick clean. Dust off the shelves, vacuum the drawers and ensure everything is fresh and ready for the new season.
  4. Welcome the new season in
    Open your new season storage—whether it’s a box, bag, or suitcase—and carefully go through each piece of clothing again, repeating the decision-making process:
    • Put in the wardrobe what’s ready to be worn in the new season (in this case spring/summer).
    • Declutter any items that no longer bring you joy by adding them to your donation bag.
    • If you experiment with multiple seasons, some pieces might still stay in for a couple more months
    • Look for any pieces that need ironing and put them in a separate pile.
  5. Review the stay items from the previous season
    So that is the pile nr. 3 that you chose to keep in your wardrobe. Is it still relevant, now, that your have pulled out your new season’s favorites? Sometimes I wish to keep certain pieces from the old season in the new one, only to realize that after doing step 4, I am no longer excited about it = This step allows you to reconsider those pieces in light of your new choices, ensuring that you’re not keeping what you won’t use in the coming season.
  6. Pack away the old-season clothing
    Gather all the clothing from the previous season (pile 1 and reviewed pile 3), and pack them in a box or suitcase. I know, not all items may be washed and ready to be stored, and some are in the laundry process at the moment. Just take the time over the next week or two to wash or dry clean your coats, wool sweaters, and any remaining winter pieces. In my case, I will have 1 suitcase ready right away, while the second one stays around as I am slowly filling it in after each wash.

    Store and look forward
    Finally, bring your old-season suitcase to a basement or storage area, eagerly anticipating the day when you’ll open it again in a few months’ time. 🙂

Do you have more questions than answers? You might ask “What do I do with the sentimental items pile?”, “Where and how do I donate my old clothing?” or “How do I start organizing my clothing switch if this is my first time?” Don’t worry, I got you covered. Let’s have a look at what I do…

“How do you establish a seasonal clothing switch system from the start?“

You will still go through most of the steps above, leaving out 4 and 5 (since you don’t have these established yet). Obviously, the quantity of stuff will be bigger, so you might need to prepare more space, and more donation bags, and it’s good to start with some temporary crates or boxes, to begin with to make clear distinctions between the categories.

Notice that I do not encourage you to run to the shop for boxes or bags right away. Why? Because you ALWAYS want to declutter and sort first. Only then, when clear on the quantity, shapes, and size of the piles you need to store, as well as the space available, can you go and purchase new storage organizers (this time, the ones you exactly need!)

Now modify step 2, “Sort and Decide”. You’ll still have your declutter pile and your sentimental pile, plus all the season piles you wish to establish (be it 2 for the summer/winter switch or 4 for all seasons). The next season’s pile returns to the closet, and the other ones get packed.

This switch should vacant a great deal of space in your wardrobe which might offer you some top shelves to use as seasonal storage. Search your home or closet for the most suitable space to store your seasonal clothing. Then find, repurpose, or buy your organizers that tick both requirements: the space available + the quantity needed to store. I have repurposed 2 big travel suitcases that I rarely use. Before moving to my new home, I used to have them on top of my wardrobe. These days I store them in the basement.

“What do you do with the sentimental pile?”

I understand that some pieces are clear-cut sentimentals! Even as a decluttering professional, I have my weak spots. Such as the dress my mum made as a teenager, the great-grandma’s hand-made sweater, or some tailored pieces I got when I lived in Asia. I don’t suppose I will wear any of these any time soon/ever, but it is too close to my heart to let those go.

I keep a small zipper organizer dedicated to this category and simply allow myself to keep those treasures. Together with those sentimental pieces, I also store the very occasional dresses, costumes, or anything used about once a year. This zipper bag is kept at the top shelf of my closet, easily pulled out for those occasional days.

“What to do with decluttered clothing?”

I personally organize clothing swaps with a big group of friends. It happens 2-3 times a year, and after a 2-year tradition, we all look forward to it! There’s nothing better than seeing your friends appreciate your pre-loved pieces! Many times each of us gets the perfect exciting pieces we were looking for – all for free and sustainable! Those events are win-Win-WIN!

What remains out of the clothing exchange is donated to charity either directly or via the textile containers. You can also try selling your clothing if it’s worth your time and money. There are many ways to dispose of your clothing! Read my old article on “How to dispose of textiles in the Netherlands” or get our Clutter Disposal Manual – a resource for disposing of, re-selling, or re-cycling just about anything in the Netherlands!

Do you need more PERSONALIZED TIPS AND SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION?

I offer virtual organizing sessions 1:1!
Check out how it works and sign up for a free call if you want tailored guidance, and accountability for your next home organizing or decluttering project!

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Is Seasonal Clothing Switch for You? The 4 Reasons Why It’s a Game-Changer (and 3 Reasons Why It Wouldn’t Be for You)

I just did my seasonal wardrobe switch yesterday. It took me about 90mins to go through most of my clothing, part with the pieces that didn’t spark joy, and reunite with pieces I hadn’t seen for months.

I had a fresh wave of excitement and inspiration this morning when I got dressed! All those pieces I hadn’t seen were appreciated again, and now I can’t wait to get dressed each morning!

Originally, my seasonal clothing switch was a space-saving strategy. Now, after four years, I found multiple psychological benefits to it!

THE 4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SWITCH YOUR CLOTHING SEASONALLY:

  1. A SPACE-SAVING SOLUTION

    It started as a space-saving solution as I have a relatively small wardrobe: 50cm of hanging rod and five drawers for the rest of the folded clothing + some accessory space. I am not crazy about following fashion trends, but I like to feel good and have fun in what I wear, and I generally love clothing.

    To fit 100% of my clothes in my wardrobe would be impossible! Yes, I could buy a bigger wardrobe, but why would I infringe on my living space to store something I don’t wear?

    Rotating between seasons reduces about 40% of my wardrobe, making it more spacious and airy, with better visibility. There’s no fighting in trying to “stuff” things where they don’t want to fit. The whole clothing process is just much more pleasant.

  2. LESS IS MORE – CLARITY AND EFFICIENCY

    Beyond the physical, there’re great mental benefits.

    Each time we choose what to wear, we are decision-making. To make a decision, we need to go through our options. And the more options we have, the more mental effort it takes. Not only consciously, but also subconsciously: When standing in front of your wardrobe, you’ll automatically block half of the stuff that isn’t season-appropriate. All the blocking of unnecessary stuff still takes mental energy!

    The less you have in your wardrobe, the faster and more efficiently you can make your morning decisions. By pre-choosing (in this case, removing all that’s not appropriate during the switch) you’ve already saved yourself some mental capacity!

    Of course, it’s up to everyone to figure out the right amount of clothing that keeps one and yet not overwhelmed.

  3. THE OLD IS THE NEW

    The novelty and excitement are possibly the best part of this whole thing. When something hangs in your wardrobe all year, I can understand that it “gets old,” and you’re gradually less excited about it. We crave novelty – we notice novelty better – so the feeling that you want to go shopping cause there’re no exciting combinations to wear is real.

    When you limit yourself to fewer options for a certain period of time, it forces you to be more creative with the options you do have. Once you get bored of your current wardrobe style, you can look forward to soon switch. The old/new pieces you bring in during the switch are suddenly much more exciting, appreciated, and worn. Your passion for fashion is rekindled. In my opinion, the simplest economic and ecological fashion crisis solution!

  4. REGULAR DECLUTTERING CHECK

    As a passionate and professional declutterer, I believe this is the simplest way to keep your wardrobe in check for unnecessary clutter. Most of my clients that called in for wardrobe remakes didn’t have the habit of regular decluttering. Thus as a part of our maintenance strategies, we advise decluttering your clothing 1-4x a year (depending on the frequency of clothing influx).

    Making the seasonal switch is the best opportunity for decluttering. Not only because you’re handling all the items individually but also because of the mental clarity this process brings!

    Because of the smaller number of items each season, I have a better overview of what I haven’t worn. At the beginning of winter, when setting up my winter wardrobe, I was convincing myself to use this long-sleeve lounge t-shirt. And yet, it sat precisely in the same spot untouched for the whole season. This time, I had no doubts about the lost purpose of it, and I decluttered it.

  5. DISTANCE AND OBJECTIVITY

    Similarly, with the upcoming season pile I get much more clear on my thoughts and emotions. I notice the internal excitement and inspiration when pulling some pieces and the disappointment that comes over me when unpacking others. Sometimes I couldn’t believe why I held onto an item the last time around!

    Here’s what I observed: Sometimes, we’re simply not ready to part with certain pieces even though we don’t wear them, or they aren’t even that sentimental. It could just be that we’re so used to having them in our wardrobe that we can’t imagine parting with them.

    Not seeing certain pieces of clothing for a period of time allows for much more objectivity in how we feel. It allows us to check in with ourselves at the point of life we’re in. And I found that it makes the decluttering process way easier!

COULD A SEASONAL SWITCH NOT BE FOR YOU? THE 3 CASES IT ISN’T NECESSARY

If something has pros, they’re likely to be cons as well. Do I establish a seasonal switch in 100% of my clients’ houses? NO. So for objectivity, I’d like to add when and why I don’t set up people’s wardrobes to switch seasons.

For any of the below cases, even though you don’t shift your clothing seasonally, I would still recommend decluttering your wardrobe 1-2x a year!

1. YOU HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE

If you have a walk-in closet, a huge wardrobe, and no shortage of space, go ahead and save yourself the work by skipping the switch.

I advise establishing a part of the wardrobe for the cold months’ clothing and part of the wardrobe for warm months’ clothing. Using a part of the wardrobe for a given season, you can still experience the mental benefits: Not having to block tons of unused and irrelevant stuff, appreciating novelty, etc. You can work with sides of the wardrobe or different levels (the out season higher up or less accessible).


2. YOU ARE HIGHLY DISORGANIZED

When we work with anyone who is chronically disorganized, be it because of neurodiversity, chronic fatigue, or difficult life situations, it’s better to keep things as simple as possible! Adding a switch to one’s calendar might be too much to ask – and there’s absolutely no shame in that!

In highly or chronically disorganized households, we aim to simplify. Both in quantity (decluttering) and difficulty (organization). We ensure the space is big enough to hold the content most simply – avoiding any fiddly or perfectionistic strategies for organization.


3. YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT FASHION OR CLOTHING

Maybe fashion isn’t your thing. You like to keep things practical, shop only when necessary, and have a modest and simple way of dealing with your clothing. You don’t get the sense of needing novelty or any real excitement from the pieces you own.

That’s fine! In such a case, you probably don’t need to think of regular decluttering. Establishing a simple system that doesn’t take more than it gives is the way to go.

Don’t forget organization is relative to each individual, and we all have different needs! I switch and declutter my clothing 3x a year as I get super excited about wearing the new season. On the other hand, my partner has a year-long minimal wardrobe and only gets rid of things when they break. 😉



This part of the article covered the big WHY of doing a seasonal clothing switch. If you think this is something for you, in the upcoming article (next week), I will cover the WHEN and the HOW of the process so you can do it yourself!

Do you need more PERSONALIZED TIPS AND SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION?

I offer virtual organizing sessions 1:1!
Check out how it works and sign up for a free call if you want tailored guidance, and accountability for your next home organizing or decluttering project!

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5 Insights That Will Help Your Kids to Keep Their Room Organized

For years, I used to spend 40mins EVERY EVENING tidying up toys! I was an au-pair, so I just thought of it as a part of my work, but I wondered how it must be for parents without daily help to split themselves between family time, work, and all the household chores. Especially if their kids have a lot of toys… 

As the kids grew older, I knew it was important to educate them on how to tidy up after themselves. I had to find out what would motivate them: With trial and error, I kept re-organizing their playrooms and exercising different negotiation strategies. Some with more, some with less success. 

Eventually, I saw that having fewer toys makes a huge difference in the tidying-up process while not at all decreasing fun and play for the kids! My decluttering path had slowly started back there. That was five years ago, and ever since, I have practiced the skill of reducing possessions with other people until it became my full-time job. 

Undoubtedly freeing as decluttering is, there always lingers the question,
“HOW DO I GET MY KIDS TO KEEP THEIR PLAYROOM THIS TIDY?!?!”

Not only from my work with the kids but also by observing dozens of parents facing this dilemma, I noticed one clear pattern: WE LACK THE KIDS’ PERSPECTIVE.

Through my playful au-pair eyes, I had the chance to find my answers to this. Remembering what is important to kids, I discovered five main objections we should consider. And this is how I overcome them to bridge the gap between kids and adults when organizing playrooms. 

I. “It is too much work!”

Big tasks aren’t the strongest point for kids and their shorter attention span. If they pull out piles of toys, it will be way too overwhelming to tidy them afterward.

I can’t stress enough that the minimalist and Montessori approaches of “Less is More” are righteous here: The fewer toys, less clutter, and less visual noise, the more you simplify the whole process of tidying. 

You may choose to either reduce the number of toys you own (I have written an article on decluttering with kids just a few weeks ago) or introduce a rotation system. 

II. “It is too hard!”

The #1 mistake I see in most playrooms organization is inaccessibility & difficulty. Remember: if it is difficult or impossible for the kid to tidy up, he won’t do it. Avoid complex or fiddly organization at all times if you want to get this right!

1) Ensure furniture and toys are at the right height for kids to access.

2) Avoid anything fiddly: Remove complicated molds from game boxes that don’t need them, and avoid having toys that need to be completed before tidying (such as open puzzles or jigsaws)

3) Don’t overfill their toy storage: You might fit everything in with some effort and time, but your kid won’t. Leave enough space, so it is EASY to put things back!

4) Avoid obstructions: That extra move and effort your kid will have to execute to move things around to get to the correct storage will decrease the chances of success.

= The 0 effort strategy: Open shelves or baskets that aren’t overfilled, clearly defined “homes” for things, and no extra effort is your way to win!

III. “It is my best game.”

I remember the sad faces at the end of the day when we said we must break down the forts we created. Kids are excited about their games and often care about the idea of resuming their building or play projects the next day. To not create resistance or aversion to tidying up, it is important to compromise a bit. 

I suggest creating a designated space (in a corner, in a play tent, on a play table, etc.) for their open projects to leave their toys ready until the next day safely. One open project policy and a certain total time limit will help you manage this: E.g., you keep only this LEGO battle project out and tidy it up after a week. 

IV. “Why do I have to do it?”

Kids don’t have the same natural incentive to have a tidy room. Instead of just motivating them by what you want/need from them, explain the benefits. 

1) Tidy playroom where all toys have their home is a ready playroom. “You can find your toy in no time and play right away when you come home from school!”

2) Respecting other people – I noticed kids understand when you say, “The cleaner needs to mop the floor. Could you help him by putting your toys away?” Having a regular cleaning day in their room holds them accountable to have their room completely tidied on that day (usually once a week), plus it teaches them respect towards other people’s needs. 

V. “I still want to have fun.”

After a play session, tidying up might seem very boring. Make tidying up fun and something not to be resisted with some of these tips:

1) Keep it short: Put a timer to 5-10mins each day to make it an easy and fast routine.

2) Offer your presence or helping hand: having someone around keeps kids more focused and motivated and holds them accountable to finish the task.

3) Gamify it: Choose a song that will lift the mood, make it a race (how many toys can you tidy in 5 minutes?), or play the “putting toys to sleep”.

What strategies do you use to overcome your kids’ objections?

Do you need more PERSONALIZED TIPS AND SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION?

I offer virtual organizing sessions 1:1!
Check out how it works and sign up for a free call if you want tailored guidance, and accountability for your next home organizing or decluttering project!

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How to get past the overwhelm in Marie Kondo’s KOMONO category & finally organize your whole house!

Many of us discovered “The life-changing magic of tidying up” from Marie Kondo and felt this is the final answer to our home organization. 

Perhaps you devoured the book, watched the Netflix series, and started with the practice: Decluttering your possessions by recognizing what sparks the inner feeling of “joy” vs. what no longer makes you happy.

When Marie Kondo guides us through the decluttering and organization of her first three categories (1. clothing; 2. books; 3. papers), we get hugely excited about the neat wardrobes, bookcases, and office tables. Triumphant and invincible, we imagine our whole house perfectly tidy… Until we discover the 4th category: KOMONO – simply translated as MISCELLANEOUS!

Past Komono, there is only one category left which is sentimental items.  And so we are left to declutter over 50% of our possessions in that one category that doesn’t seem to cover everything.

This is the point where many people get discouraged: “I lost momentum. There are the kids’ toys, boxes of wires, an overflowing pantry… Where shall I start?”

I have been figuring out this answer for years after being contacted by the many Konmari fans who run into the “Komono wall.” 

Ultimately, everyone has a different lifestyle coming with different stuff, but after dozens and dozens of houses, I FINALLY identified, categorized, decluttered, and ORGANIZED KOMONO. 

Instead of 1 enormous category, these are the eight manageable categories I tend to go for. Go through them one-by-one in your own time, just like you would with the other Konmari categories.

1) Kitchen – Food, food-prep, food-serving, food storage, and kitchen paraphernalia. 

2) Bathroom – Hair products, body products, face products, make-up, accessories, kids care, textile, self-care & health

3) Kids – Toys, board & e-games, (activity) books, arts & crafts, school-related items, “treasures,” and baby stuff

4) Electronics – CDs/DVDs (or other older formats), appliances & gadgets, manuals, wires & cables,

5) Household maintenance – Batteries & lightbulbs, tools, building materials (like spare tiles, paint, but also screws, etc.), house cleaning, gardening, car, and other open house projects

6) Aesthetics – Art & photography, seasonal decor (such as Chżristmas, Easter props, etc.), candles & decor, valuables & collectibles, display souvenirs & sentimental

7) Free-time activities – Adult games (e-gaming, social, outdoor…), sports (winter, summer, all-year, indoors), crafting, gifts & wrapping, outdoors (camping, picnic, etc.), special hobbies, interests & personal projects, pets

8) Work-related items – Home office, professional props, equipment, etc.

If there’re any categories you’re missing, feel free to let us know in the comments and co-create the list together!

Do you need more PERSONALIZED TIPS AND SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION?

I offer virtual organizing sessions 1:1!
Check out how it works and sign up for a free call if you want tailored guidance, and accountability for your next home organizing or decluttering project!

BOOK YOUR FREE INTAKE CONSULTATION

Copyright – Lucie Krobova
Founder of Your SPACE by Lucie
Professional Organizer and Chronic Disorganization Specialist
Amsterdam, NL

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BACK TO SCHOOL – Organizer’s checklist for parents

This one is for you, parents. I am not a parent myself, however, after four years of living as an au-pair in a family with two schoolboys, I do know the routine. 

Being ready for school isn’t just having the school bags ready. Have you thought of the shoe size for PE, or having a place in your home to hold all the incoming and processing papers that are always so many at the beginning?

Getting your home ready and supportive to efficient school rhythm is half of the win.

Your SPACE by Lucie checklist

For PDF version to download and print out:

Back-to-school-Your-SPACE-by-LucieDownload
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REDFIN’s blog tips to organize your winter gear

I’ve been asked to contribute to Redfin.com/blog regarding storage tips for winter gear. Just appeared in the article this week, and excited to share it with you! I love to see that the article is written based on tips not only from professional organizers but also from ski resort owners, gear producers, etc…

logo taken from www.redfin.com/blog

Go straight to the SOURCE or read the article below…

Whether you’re in Hillburn or Portland, winter weather brings fun outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding and sledding but what follows is an abundance of wet winter gear that can oftentimes be too much to store. If your winter gear storage is lacking this season take an idea from one of these expert tips to help optimize your winter gear storage.

Don’t underestimate the value of a bonus ski room

Property owners located near ski resorts are at a major advantage when they include a ski room as an amenity. This can be a separate small room dedicated entirely to the storage of ski boots, sports apparel, and other gear, equipped with racks, dryers, and hooks. Another feature could be a stable base for waxing cross-country skis. Where possible, this ski room would have direct access from the garage or the outdoors to keep the wet mess far from the kitchen table! And while we’re at it, there’s no harm done in decorating and bringing in a cozy ambiance with design touches (like retro and vintage equipment!). – Cuddlynest

Take advantage of adjustable shelving

Create shelves in the closet you store your ski gear that fit the height of the ski bag you use so that each person has a separate space for their bag.  Use adjustable shelving so they can be moved with the change of gear and bag sizes.  During an off-season, your individual bags are in place, and with them on shelves, you can optimize the storage from the ceiling down. – Rocky Mountain Resort Management

Incorporate locker space

Storing winter gear usually boils down (pun intended) to two things. Securing the gear and organizing your space! We love lockers as a simple and secure way to store your items without causing too much clutter. Some gear like large jackets and pants don’t fold well and an all-metal locker can be just the trick for hanging these items! – Lockers Unlimited

A great space/time-saving trick for homeowners in winter climates is to dedicate a locker-sized space for winter gear to each family member. Preferably, in the mud/gear room. Organize your locker like this. At the very top is a small cubby where all the headwear and your gloves are kept. This includes items such as a beanie, gator, facemask, gloves, goggles, etc. Mount a hook underneath the cubby to the wall. Hang your snow pants and coat on the hook. Put your snow boots underneath your snow pants. After every adventure put your winter gear back in this way and this will save a huge amount of time, especially for families with young ones. Not only will your gear room be tidy and inviting, but you will also no longer spend 10 minutes looking for a missing boot or glove your kiddos have lost! – Mountain Luxury Lodging

winter trees (photo supplied by redfin.com)

Don’t sacrifice your ski boots (or feet) in the name of optimization

Never, ever, ever store your ski boots in your garage, attic, or shed. You’re going to want your boots toasty warm, or at least at room temp when you wear them in the winter, so don’t store them someplace that’s unheated. And if you’ve had your boots stretched out to customize them to your feet, the heat in your garage, attic, and shed during the summer can alter the shape of your boots. Regardless of the season, you don’t want a varmint to take up residence in your spendy ski boots. – Ski Idaho

Keep it dry

Upstate New York is home to some of the most loved winter sports.  Storing winter sports gear in upright positions and spaced appropriately in a dry location is highly recommended by winter sports professionals.  Many of our vacation rental homeowners have created custom spaces to store cold-weather items for their guests. Designated areas in a garage or mudroom that includes storage bins, wall racks (monkey bars), shoe racks for sports boots, and hooks specifically designed for winter sports equipment storage.   It’s a great way to optimize and organize your winter gear so that it’s dry and ready for the next day’s adventure. – New York Rental By Owner

Take “dead space” into consideration

Homeowners can maximize storage space for their winter gear by taking advantage of “dead space” in their garages or sheds by installing hooks, racks, and shelves wherever possible. Use vertical and overhead racks to organize and store oversized items, including hockey sticks, snowboards, and skis. Use sturdy plastic bins to store boots, repair kits, and camping gear. Extra shelves are always useful for storing everything from paint, cleaning supplies, tools, and bulk items, including paper towels and toilet paper. – Box & Co

Sell what you don’t use

Most people are tempted to store their kids’ outgrown sports gear because they still have a lot of use left in them. If there are no younger children to “grow into them,” it makes no sense to store them for sale when they are back in season. Don’t wait. Sell now! People looking to buy used equipment don’t want outdated gear; they want the latest technology. If you want to be a successful seller, post your sports gear now while it is still marketable. Go online to craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace; you can also sell your equipment to specialty stores like Play It Again Sports, to a local consignment shop, or at a yard sale. – Transitions Liquidation

Photo credit: CSG Kids Ski Gear
Image credit: CSG Kids Ski Gear

Get creative with your organization

One of the most creative, clever, and inexpensive options I have seen for property owners to organize an entryway for winter gear is with upcycling old paint cans. This option can provide an artistic touch to any entryway. Property owners can drill a gallon or pint-size paint can into a symmetrical pattern along a wall to provide an excellent source of storage for hats and gloves, as well as to hang coats and scarves. – Rendezvous Mountain Rentals

Make use of those big suitcases you have in the attic or the storage room. Instead of letting them sit empty and waiting for their once-a-year big vacation opportunity, they can serve you as great storage for those rarely used items. Especially with our current pandemic situation, let’s give them some purpose and fill them with ice-skates, snow boots, and all the bulky winter clothing. When your big travel moment does come, don’t panic, and simply empty their content into a huge bag to give the stuff a temporary home. – Your Space by Lucie

For smaller pieces of gear like ski or snowboard boots, place a shoe rack in an area that will help them dry out fast. A custom closet in a mudroom or entryway is a handy place to store snow pants and jackets so you can quickly grab the items and go. – Top Villas LLC

Prep your gear for storage

Before I store my snowboard away for the dry high desert months in Colorado, I remove the Bindings and Hardware and clean off the top sheet with soap and water. Then I wax the base, without scraping off the excess wax. Finally, I tune the edges. Nothing worse than reaching for your board when the snow starts falling and finding it in bad shape. – Surf Snow Promo

Originally published on Redfin

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CATEGORIZATION GOES FIRST

It is January, and most of Europe is yet on another strict lockdown. As household owners, we seem to be divided, depending on our life and family situation, into two basic groups (and much more, but for this article, let’s keep it simple).

The ones who have no time to spare as their kids are home and need to be given both education and attention. While household still needs to be run and work needs to get done.

The other group finds themselves with some extra time, on the other hand. Spending more or most time at home and without kids, I have seen people picking up new hobbies, starting on house projects, or reading more books…and perhaps watching Netflix.

If you belong to the first group, save your ambitions. You are already doing enough now, so safe your house organization for another time. However, if you do have 10mins left in your day and desperately want to lessen the chaos around, watch this simple video. It comes from the time I was helping a family to homeschool myself and could feel the load of the combined environment (household + office + school). If you don’t want to lose this article about decluttering, save my blog to your bookmarks, or subscribe to my newsletter for monthly tips. And come back to it when you have a bit more time.

If you belong to the second group, however, and want to spend your extra time on decluttering and organizing your house, you’re on the right page. This article is about how to start decluttering and not get lost in the process. The secret lies in good preparation: Categorize first!

why should you categorize first?

Just as Marie Kondo suggests, decluttering based on categories is more efficient and I usually go with that strategy as well. In her book ‘The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up’ she invites to declutter in categories as opposed to rooms. It’s because many times you have the same stuff in multiple places in your house and while you declutter and organize one room/section, you might need to reorganize it again, as you find more of the same stuff elsewhere in your house later on.

I would add, that it is also important for time efficiency and energy preservation, as well as for having a clear plan of what you are doing. I am writing more on this below.

Her 5 famous categories are clothes, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous), and sentimental items. Those categories are a good starting point, however, they’re quite brought and I like to further subdivide most of it.

So first thing first, think about what categories you’re dealing with in your process! Good preparation is the most important aspect of following your project through without getting lost. And for that reason, you might hire a professional organizer who will bring that plan of execution to your project and make sure you don’t derail. If you wish to do it on your own, take some time aside to plan your sessions. If you don’t have much free time, schedule which categories you do and when.

how to categorize?

If you want to set on a whole-house decluttering project, clothing and textiles are usually a good way to start, as they are more clearly distinguished. I often follow with books, bathroom, and kitchen. For the rest, it tends to be harder as the categories collide, overlap, and take over different spaces in the house (and I will write another article about that complexity later).

But even if you set to declutter and organize only one room, have a clear category as a starting point. Because starting from a corner will quickly exhaust you as you try to combine two different tasks: Categorizing and decluttering at the same time (don’t even think about organizing at this point!). So for example, the “everything” room (formerly named as a guest room) will probably have some electronics, some papers, lots of memories, outdoor equipment, old clothes, etc. Get clear on the categories you are dealing with and declutter them one by one. Either day by day, or hour by hour – depending on your situation, your time, and your stamina.

4 benefits of categorizing before decluttering

1)Time-saving
Just as mentioned in the video, once you proceed to the actual decluttering after you have categorized, there’s a simple task for you. Declutter. You don’t need to put any energy switching your focus from different unrelated objects (and where do these objects belong in my life). You can simply make the decisions to keep it or to let it go. Decluttering is a draining process and you want to make it as easy as possible for yourself. Approach each pile one by one and just get those decisions done.

2) Single focus
Especially for those who are more likely to get distracted (like ADHD for example) by the interesting objects one finds, it’s helpful to make your tasks smaller and simpler.
Tasks like “Now I am doing just one thing, collecting all the papers in this room to one pile”. When you do get distracted, you still had that one task to come back to and to complete instead of coming to a more complex categorize/declutter/organize project. “Right, I was just collecting all the papers to one pile”. Such tasks can be as short as 10 minutes.

3) End procrastination
Tacking a mountain is an overwhelming task. And that is exactly how it might feel if you approach your project as one big thing. The bigger and more overwhelming projects feel, the less likely they will get done. Especially if there’s no urgency to them (like, you can live like this for another year)! Divide your project into chunks of categories and you will find out it’ s not as bad as you thought.

4) Double check-in
This whole process means, that you’ll most likely touch some objects more times. Once when categorizing, once when decluttering, and once again when organizing. Even though this might seem as a waste of time, touching things multiple times has its benefits. First of all, you’ll remember you actually own this thing! And secondly, it can help you with your decision making when decluttering.

When we come across something we haven’t seen for a long time or we even forgot we own it, it might jump out as a surprise and trigger an emotional reaction. Perhaps a nostalgia or curiosity. At such point, we might not be ready to let that item go. However, once we acknowledge that it’s there, and get used to that fact (as we carry on categorizing), its existence won’t be such a surprise once we come to declutter it. That momentarily emotion we felt the first time we touched that object might be gone and we can rely better on our final decision to keep it or to leave it.

Do you need more PERSONALIZED TIPS AND SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION?

I offer virtual organizing sessions 1:1!
Check out how it works and sign up for a free call if you want tailored guidance, and accountability for your next home organizing or decluttering project!

Posted on

CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE TIMES SPENT AT HOME

Here’s a video I made back in March when the first wave of the pandemic hit the Netherlands. And now, again, we’re strongly advised to work from home, eat from home, and socialize (on small scale) at home. Perhaps it’s a good time to repost this video, in case you missed it before…

With more time spent closed at home, it’s more critical than ever to create an environment that’s supportive: Spacious, helpful, and filled with the objects you love, yet still fit for a home-based work routine.

Find my organizing tips below, and watch this video for a visual demonstration:

Pick a room that’s the most painful, or most important to remake and follow these simple tips on how to re-organize your home space in few minutes:

HORIZONTAL SPACES – How many trinkets, sentimental objects, or doesn’t-live-here stuff do you regularly accumulate on shelves, window sills, tables, and counters? Can you cut down to just a few consciously picked objects? Such change will make your cleaning and dusting much faster, plus having less stuff in your line of vision will allow more space and less distraction in your mental space.

OUTDATED STUFF – Do you have any expired vouchers, outdated to-do notes, or old projects lying around? Have a fresh look at what’s in your environment and don’t burden yourself with anything that’s not relevant anymore! It’s also a good opportunity to question some projects you wanted to start or finish…does it take more than it gives? Perhaps it’s time to drop that ambition if you feel overwhelmed and put it away for the time being.

HIDE YOUR TREASURES FOR JOYFUL REMINDER – In order to create less distracting and more focused space, you might want to consider removing some cards, photos, or even paintings from your walls. That doesn’t mean you need to get rid of them or store them in your attic though! As Marie Kondo advises, make use of the inner doors of your cabinets and rejoice every time you open it! This is my favorite trick, and it worked very well for many of my clients. On top of it, not seeing your photo/painting all the time also makes you appreciate it more in the times you do glimpse it. 🙂