Hardcover
-
PICK UP IN STORECheck Availability at Nearby Stores
Available within 2 business hours
Related collections and offers
Overview
- 5 clutter culprits
- 5 pro tips to combat clutter
- 15 things to let go of now
- Style tips for every room
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781631066078 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Rock Point |
| Publication date: | 10/08/2019 |
| Series: | Inspiring Home Series , #1 |
| Pages: | 160 |
| Sales rank: | 257,041 |
| Product dimensions: | 7.50(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.80(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
KITCHEN
The kitchen is the epicenter of well-being in the home and a great place to start your organizational journey. An organized kitchen sets the tone for a harmonious home and is one that is free of clutter, has a spot for everything, and can inspire the preparation of healthy, stress-free meals. Whether you're a creative culinarian or delivery die-hard, a streamlined kitchen can foster efficiency while optimizing the function of your mind and body.
To be perfectly honest, I am not much of a cook, but my husband is. My mom, who's been living with us, also loves to cook and improvise. My husband spreads out and makes a mess while my mom loves to collect empty jars and leave a trail of them around the kitchen. I laugh and cry every time I walk in and see every drawer and cabinet remain open well after each meal. Because I have set up the kitchen in such a way that they can find everything — and I can put things away easily — we remain relatively organized. I set up systems when no systems existed, and I was able to organize the kitchen the way they need to use it and the way I need to be able to find things.
More than any other space, the kitchen demands efficiency, which is why it is imperative that you have a home for everything, as well as collaboration and everyone on board.
TOP CLUTTER CULPRITS
The kitchen is a notorious magnet for clutter, grime, and confusion, but I've heard many clients say that if they can keep their kitchen under control, they feelin control, even when the rest of the house seems chaotic. To take back the reins on the kitchen and curb the chaos, I've identified five common clutter culprits with five easy solutions:
Congregation gridlock
The kitchen is the high-traffic zone of the home. The more often it's used, the more likely there's disorder and mess. From kids' art corners to entire "office" workspaces, a kitchen can easily become the landing spot for more than just meals. Keep your family's health goals and special needs in mind while decluttering and organizing this space.
PRO TIP: Move out anything that does not align with your family's goals for this space. It can be food that no longer serves you or broken dishes you've been meaning to replace.
System failure
"A place for everything, and everything in its place." Nowhere is this adage more important than in the kitchen. Without adequate space, proper storage, and identifiable zones, the kitchen becomes a free-for-all.
PRO TIP: Label zones that work and embrace the power of labels to maintain your working systems.
Perishable turnover
The kitchen is in constant flux like no other area of the home. Food flow changes daily, as do the tools and trials that accompany food prep.
PRO TIP: Keep your chalk or oil-based Sharpie pen in the kitchen and add "Opened On" dates to any perishable food.
The messiness of cooking
From meal prep to cooking and eating to cleanup, the kitchen is a mess magnet. Adopt a clean-as-you-go mentality for the kitchen and beyond. Don't let clutter build up to the point of feeling overwhelmed.
PRO TIP: Keep a bowl on the counter during food prep to toss all your excess, trash, or compostable items into.
Maintenance mishaps
One reason why our kitchens get out of control is due to a lack of maintenance. From regular cleanouts to cabinet overhauls, adopt healthy habits to keep clutter at bay.
PRO TIP: Schedule a bi-weekly or monthly clean out on your calendar or delegate this task.
GET MOTIVATED!
How do you keep yourself healthy? How do you nourish your family? The kitchen and its contents have the power to enrich your life's energy and support you in a thriving life. Most of us have health goals, and no matter where you are on that path, it helps both you and your family to be intentional about your use of this space. If your kitchen is out of control, this imbalance can affect many areas of your life.
For a kitchen that enhances your lifestyle, I advocate cultivating a clutter-free zone with intentional food systems. When nourishment is your central goal, cooking becomes more enjoyable and your home center is balanced. I believe that taking back control of the kitchen is an empowering first step in kick-starting your organizational journey.
SIMPLIFY: DECLUTTER YOUR CHAOTIC KITCHEN
The quickest way to regain control of your cluttered kitchen is to simplify. You can do this by discarding any items that are not in line with your current health, wellness, and lifestyle goals. It's easy to let things like junk mail, packages, and random clutter consume countertops and fill junk drawers. A total reset in this space will set you up with an intentional kitchen that will be easier to navigate.
START HERE
1. Complete worksheet 1 (on page 130)
Once you have completed the Pre-Worksheet on page 129 and before starting each step in this process, develop clear goals you have for your kitchen. Think about why you want to get this space organized and what it will feel like when you do. Complete the kitchen worksheet questions to define your "why" and to motivate and inform your decisions.
2. Set up your workspace
Use your standard tool kit as referenced on pages 9–10. Label your bins: Donate, Trash, Recycle, Other Room, and any additional categories that you'd like to consider.
3. Pull everything out and group like-with-like
Begin in one area, drawer, or cabinet in your kitchen. Resist the urge to leave items in place or skip over "keep" items. There is power behind pulling everything out, and you are less likely to put back anything you don't love, need, or use. There is no hard rule for where to begin, but it is critical to take the time and energy necessary to address each item in your kitchen, from sink to stove.
PRO TIP: If you are unable to tackle the whole kitchen at once, start with a cupboard, pantry, or one pre-categorized group like spices, pots, or pans.
4. Process your items
Donate, trash, or recycle any kitchen items that no longer serve a purpose. By purging unused appliances, tossing expired food, and streamlining collections of dishes to include only the most frequently used, you will see the room become more spacious and easier to navigate.
5. Wrap up
Always allow at least one hour for this step. Once you have processed your items, wrap up your work session by clearing away any trash, recycling, and donations from your kitchen. Put away all "Other Room" items around the house. If you are ready to move on, skip ahead to Streamline or put away any items that have an intuitive home and make note of any items that don't. Move any homeless items to a temporary landing zone.
PRO TIP: This is a great time to do a deep clean, wipe down surfaces, or line shelving in your kitchen. Then take a deep breath and enjoy the cleared energy of your decluttered kitchen.
STREAMLINE: OPTIMIZE SPACE IN YOUR KITCHEN
With the excess and overflow out of the way, you are now ready to set up your kitchen. The next step in optimizing and organizing this space is to create homes for everything you've decided to keep.
START HERE
1. Complete worksheet 2 (on page 131)
Use your worksheet to guide you through this process to refine your kitchen ecosystem. Identify what has and has not been working. Now that you have decluttered and identified your categories, think about what can be improved by optimizing storage.
2. Create zones
To figure out where to place items, match your Post-its from your categorized piles, place them in their optimal new homes, and then step back to consider how it all flows together. Store items where they are used. For instance, place a Post-it that says "Mugs and Glasses" on a cabinet near the refrigerator and coffee maker. By using Postits, you'll be able to plan out the space without moving a single fork or spoon.
PRO TIP: Identify and cull your everyday items. You can break the rule of "group like-with-like," but only if it makes sense to keep certain everyday items accessible. Limit yourself to a counter-top container or hanging utensil holder to store cooking essentials and everyday tools.
3. Maximize space
Adjust shelving, add pull-out drawers, and identify where you need storage solutions like shelf risers and drawer organizers. Use your walls and vertical space and take notes on any product solutions you may need in your worksheets. Visit simplyspaced.com/shop for our best clutter-free product recommendations.
PRO TIP: Take measurements of drawers and cabinets and any space that needs storage. Hire a handyperson if you need an extra shelf or if you could benefit from pull-out drawers.
4. Implement storage solutions
For this step, it really helps to work with a blank canvas. Add in your shelf risers, storage baskets, lazy Susans, and whatever products will help optimize your space. Make sure everything fits to accommodate every category you need to store in your kitchen.
PRO TIP: Determine placement of your storage solutions first, and then place everything that needs to live in the space.
5. Label
One of the best ways to maintain an organized kitchen, or any space for that matter, is to use labels to help you and your loved ones remember where everything lives. Even temporary labels can go a long way until you and your family get used to the new system. If everything is clearly labeled and easy to see, it's more likely that everyone who uses your space will be on board with the changes.
PRO TIP: Test out your system. Once everything is put away in its new home, make sure the placement of items makes sense for you and others in your home. Sometimes a little trial and error is required before everything feels just right.
DIY ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
Here's my favorite, quick, and not-so-dirty DIY recipe for a yummy scented all-purpose cleanser that I use all around my house, courtesy of my friend Larkin from Unfettered Home.
Time:
3 minutes
Makes:
One 16-ounce (473 ml) bottle of all-purpose cleaner
Ingredients:
• 1 teaspoon borax*
• ½ teaspoon washing soda*
or baking soda
• 2 cups (473 ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons (36 ml) liquid castile or dish soap
• 20 drops essential oil
*Borax and washing soda can be found in most grocery and hardware stores.
Equipment: • Spray bottle • Funnel
Directions:
1. Fill spray bottle with dry ingredients first, followed by warm water, soap, and essential oil.
2. Swirl to combine ingredients completely before the first spray.
3. Enjoy less cleaning clutter and toxin-free peace of mind.
NOTE: Substitute dish soap with water and vinegar for a bare-bones version.
PRO TIP: Essential oils have antimicrobial properties and make your toxin-free cleaner smell great. Here are a few of my favorites:
Lavender = Relaxing
Tea Tree = Antimicrobial
Lemon = Uplifting and Degreasing
Orange = Purifying, Uplifting, and Degreasing
Thyme = Antimicrobial and goes perfectly with orange oil
STYLE: CURATE A KITCHEN THAT'S THE HEART OF YOUR HOME
A kitchen needs to be functional, but it can also be a place to inspire, nourish, and energize you. The last step in the organizing process is styling your space to reflect you, your goals, and the life you want to live. There is a different energy in a decluttered and intentionally styled kitchen that is joyful. You can find that delicate sweet spot by implementing a few simple styling hacks. Don't forget to make it fun!
START HERE
1. Complete worksheet 3 (on page 132)
Use your worksheet to inspire some fresh styling elements in your newly organized kitchen. What will make you feel excited and encouraged to be in this space? Use the styling tips below, or any throughout the book, to style your space and make it your own.
2. Curate your counters
I talked about keeping your everyday tools and utensils accessible, so perhaps this is a good opportunity to find a beautiful vessel or heirloom that can double as a utilitarian home. If your counters now only house appliances you use every day, they will look less cluttered. Instead, display a few of your favorite cookbooks or put a decorative cutting board or candle on the counter. Small, personal touches like these add a sense of warmth and give the space a less sterile look while maintaining the order you've been craving.
3. Add hooks and hanging shelves
Whether you are hanging kitchen towels or drying chilis, kitchen hooks and hanging shelves are some of the most functional and stylish additions you can add to your space. Don't be afraid to add some of your own flair, such as a beautiful apron, a favorite farmers' market bag, or a Turkish hand towel. Stylish storage is my secret weapon for small spaces.
4. Master the art of decanting
One of my favorite tips for a tidy kitchen lies in the decanting method. Today, so much of what we buy comes in packages that function mostly as advertising. Take items like liquid soap, nuts, seeds, and supplements — even flour and baking items — out of their plastic packaging and display them in transparent glass jars to give your space a magazine-ready feel that's functional (and healthier than plastics). Decanting allows you to see what you have, saves space, and reduces advertising, plastics, and cardboard. Plus, it looks beautiful! If you are in the "life's too short to decant your cornflakes" camp, own it and stick to styling with what you love and use.
PRO TIP: Buy in bulk to reduce packaging and write details and expiration dates on the bottom of items with a white paint marker or Sharpie, which can be easily removed from glass with rubbing alcohol.
5. Identify your top three
In any space in your home, identify the three most significant decorative items that you'd like to feature. You may have more than three, but choose and name only three to start. Maybe you have a favorite painting, a handmade ceramic bowl, or a fancy teapot. Let those items shine and decorate your kitchen with a personal touch.
CHAPTER 2BEDROOM
If the kitchen is the epicenter of well-being for our health, then the bedroom is the epicenter of well-being for our relationships, including our relationship to ourselves. How much sleep are you getting? How much do you want to get? What's keeping you up at night? Do you step into your closet and walk out feeling empowered or beleaguered? Everything we do during the day starts and stops at the bedroom door, so keeping this space calm and clutter-free is paramount.
For me, the bedroom is the place I go at the end of the day to unwind, reenergize, and connect with my husband. I've made it a clutter-free zone by organizing it in a way that works for both of us. My husband knows I love sleep more than anything, and I have a hard time falling asleep if this space is in disarray. In fact, the physical act of "tidying up" is my love language. When my husband keeps our bedroom clean, he is expressing his love for me in a way that fills my love tank. I mention this difference because it's important to understand what our partners need to feel loved, which often doesn't match what we need. When it comes to our bedroom, my husband Jeff keeps it neat not because it matters to him, but because he understands my values and what makes me happy. Revisit the cohabitation section on page 17 and Determine Your Clutter Capacity on page 18 to find out your clutter color. To take the test online, head over to simplyspaced.com/ cluttercapacity now.
TOP CLUTTER CULPRITS
The bedroom is a place for rest and relaxation, but when clutter creeps in it's hard to slow down and enjoy it. But what if your bedroom could feel rejuvenating? What if you could keep it clutter free and restful? To get your bedroom back to basics, I've identified five common clutter culprits with five tips to implement now:
Clothes here, there, and everywhere
A solid 80 percent of bedroom clutter is clothing related. Start by placing all your stray clothes into the laundry or closet. I'll talk about clothing in the next chapter. If clothes are your biggest challenge, you may want to start there, but this is an exercise in seeing your room as it is meant to be. Once you clear out clothes clutter, you'll experience an immediate shift in your space. As I dial in on the purpose of this room, you'll be able to see and appreciate its potential and be more inclined to keep clothes relegated to their real homes: the closet, dresser, and maybe even some wall hooks.
PRO TIP: Purchase a divided laundry hamper to keep clothing piles off the floor. I use mine for darks, whites, and specialty cleaning.
Messy bed
Most of us have heard the productivity hack that a made bed in the morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. But what most of us don't realize is that a messy bed can make the entire room feel disorganized even if it isn't. An unmade bed is also a temptation to go back to sleep. Sometimes completing the simplest task can help clear your mind and make you feel more in control.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Simply Spaced"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Monica Leed.
Excerpted by permission of The Quarto Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Introduction 6 CHAPTER 1 Kitchen 20 CHAPTER 2 Bedroom 32 CHAPTER 3 Closet 40 CHAPTER 4 Bath and Beauty 50 CHAPTER 5 Living Spaces 58 CHAPTER 6 Kids’ Spaces 68 CHAPTER 7 Storage and Utility Spaces 78 CHAPTER 8 Office 86 CHAPTER 9 Paper 94 CHAPTER 10 Photos 104 CHAPTER 11 Mementos 114 Final Wrap Up 122 About the Author 124 Acknowledgments 125 Resource Guide 126 Pre-Worksheet 129 Chapter 1 Worksheets 130 Chapter 2 Worksheets 133 Chapter 3 Worksheets 136 Chapter 4 Worksheets 139 Chapter 5 Worksheets 142 Chapter 6 Worksheets 145 Chapter 7 Worksheets 148 Chapter 8 Worksheets 1 5 1 Chapter 9 Worksheets 154 Chapter 10 Worksheets 157 Chapter 11 Worksheets 159Related Subjects
Customer Reviews
Explore More Items
