Create a Handy Storage System by Your Back Door, Yout front door... any entry way...to eliminate clutter.

Below are ideas I copied from a website I found...the link is below for you clicking pleasure!

Is your entry a mess? Are you tired of stepping on backpacks on your way to the garage? Does your family need an organized place to store outerwear, purses, and keys? Then this entryway storage system is for you -- no separate mudroom required! You'll only need an afternoon to re-create this assortment of storage solutions by your back door.

Question:


I can’t seem to keep my mud room/laundry area organized. It is the pass through to our garage and gets a lot of use. Any suggestions?

Answer:

The mud room/laundry room is a high traffic area and is often used for many different functions such as:

•Laundry

•Hang Keys

•Charge Cell Phones

•Briefcase, Backpack or Purse Drop-Off Area

•Shoe Storage

•Pet accessories (leash, grooming supplies, etc.)

•Mail Drop-Off

Typically the size of this room runs small, which can create an even bigger dilemma. How do you create a multi-function room within a limited space and keep it organized:


•Determine The Functions of The Room:

More specifically, what is this room used for? Take a look at the list above and add or subtract as needed.

•Eliminate The Clutter:

You were afraid that this part was coming right? You know that there is a few if not many items in this room that either don't belong there, or aren't being used and you must get rid of them! Either toss, donate or sell. Refer to Toss or Keep Guidelines .

•Utilize Existing Storage or Invest in New:

Does this room have existing cupboards or shelves? If so, then definitely utilize this. Otherwise, if you need additional space, you will need to invest in storage to help create this multi-use room.

Consider These Great Storage Ideas:


•Slim Laundry Cart :

This is very slim, and fits in between your washer and dryer - a smart way to utilize that empty space.

•Over Washer/Dryer Storage Shelf :

Affordable and functional - you can't be that!

•Wall Cubby w/Hooks :

This is a good idea if you don't have the room for a hall tree (see below) but you need it for similar functions (hang jackets, store everyday used items, etc.)

•Over The Door Storage Rack :

Although this is intended for CDs & DVDs, it can be used to hold items that you need to remember to take with you: lunch, laundry, mail, books, etc. And, it allows you to utilize an existing space (back of the door) that we don't normally consider using.

•Expanding Coat Rack :

This is great to hang up jackets, umbrellas and pet supplies (collars, leashes).

•Stacking Cubes :

I love this idea, and if you have the wall space it is a great idea to store a number of different items, such as briefcases, outgoing laundry, kid's school supplies and accessories, etc.


•Entryway Organizer : Also know as a Hall Tree, this is on the pricey side, but it is the perfect all-in-one storage and the depth is small which won't take up too much space.

•Cleaning/Laundry Organization Kit :

Great for laundry/cleaning needs and well priced.

•Entryway Organizer :

Another great option for a Hall Tree.

•Key/Mail Organizer :

There are a number of styles and affordable prices that will help prevent you from looking all over the house for your keys! And, remind you to mail those important bills/letters.

•Cell Phone Charger Station :

Never leave the house without your cell phone or electronic devices again with these affordable and useful chargers.



The bottom line is that in order to keep this room organized, you must be diligent about the following tasks:

•Eliminating clutter

•Designate storage for certain tasks: For example, Laundry supplies in one cabinet, cleaning supplies in another cabinet and kid's stuff altogether.

•Always put things back where they belong

ttp://personalorganizing.about.com/od/getorganizedtoday/a/mudroom.htm

Spring Cleaning ( Thanks Martha Stewart)

Did you know, the concept of spring-cleaning comes from the days when households relied on wood-burning stoves to heat their homes? On the first warm day of spring, a thorough cleaning was conducted to remove the ash and soot left behind.


Thankfully, modern heating has eliminated that problem, but the idea of spring-cleaning has remained. When it comes time to spring-clean, I fill a plastic bucket with essential cleaning tools that can be carried from room to room. ... It's a 2 Bitches thing.

Call us today for your free estimate on your spring cleaning!

CLUTTER FREE FOREVER

I could tell you a lot about clutter...

...get rid of what you don't need or use...
...find a place for everything...
...and so on.

You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits of clutter clearing simply by imaging your life free of all the negative effects of clutter that we've explored in the past two issues of this newsletter: lack of focus and clarity; feelings of being professionally, creatively, spiritually, and/or romantically stuck; insufficient time and attention for self and family; increased stress, irritability and depression. Wouldn't it be great to be free of all these?

No matter what other factors may be dragging you down, I guarantee you that clearing your clutter will dramatically improve your mood and energy. And then any other problems you are confronting won't seem quite so bad.

When you first start clutter clearing you may be surprised at the emotions triggered by the simple act of dealing with your stuff. You think you're just cleaning out your home, but what you're really doing is rooting around in dusty corners of your psyche and coming eyeball-to-eyeball with unresolved business from the past. The personal relics that lurk within your clutter - college papers, family memorabilia, detritus from a long-dead marriage - can be easier to ignore than to carry to the dump, which is why they've been haunting the back of your closet for so many years.

As you persevere with clutter clearing a moment will come when you realize how much lighter and happier you feel. In the process of coping with your clutter, you've reconnected with your inner self, with dreams and wishes long ignored. Those you've outgrown can be released with a fond smile. Those that make your heart leap with recognition and longing... well, now you have the space, time, and energy to pursue them.

Clutter clearing gets you out of your rut. It shakes loose frozen aspects of your soul and allows them to journey into your heart where they belong and where you can listen to and act upon them.

Eventually, you will find yourself turning to clutter clearing instead of aspirin or caffeine when you notice that you're not as clear-headed, focused or insightful as you'd like to be. If you're feeling lethargic and don't want to exercise, you'll know to examine whether you've allowed a zone of stagnation to creep in around the couch (where you are most likely to be having lazy thoughts in the first place). If you can't seem to decide on priorities for your business, you'll realize it's time to clear off the desk and catch up on paperwork. And if you're not eating as well as you should, you'll remember that clearing off the kitchen counter and cleaning out the fridge will help get your eating habits back on track.

What this all boils down to is that managing your clutter helps you feel like less of a victim and puts you back in control of your moods and your life. You have greater confidence in your abilities and decisions, so you feel more hopeful and optimistic about the future. You respect yourself more, and will probably find that other people treat you better as well. You feel less stressed, and have more courage to try and do new things. You stop turning to material objects to make you happy, because you are content with less.

Clearing out your clutter creates space for possibility. You may find yourself deciding to go back to school, change your career, start your own business, go out on a date, take up painting or singing or ballroom dancing, try out for a part in a play, or... what's your dream? (No wonder clutter clearing can be a little scary! Suddenly there are no more excuses for why you can't pursue that dream.)

Your friends will say you look terrific. They'll wonder where that sparkle in your eye came from, and how you manage to look both energized and serene at the same time. It's because you have released from your life everything that is no longer useful to you. You have let go of the past and are no longer hoarding for the future. You have made space for living freely in the present, where peace resides.


( I may have posted this awhile ago..bear with me...I am working on a new blog! Love ya readers!!)