The late George Carlin famously said that "A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff." :) So funny and so true. At least it's funny until you're forced to have to find a place to store all this stuff.
I've mentioned before that our house was built in 1972, so that was before the time of really big closets. Our first house, the 1924 bungalow in Greensboro...
...had teeny, tiny closets; they were almost non-existent. So when we first moved into this house,
I was thrilled to have these closets. I'm still thankful to have them; I'm really thankful to have a home, period. Never the less, our closet space is at a premium right now. But to show you how closets and homes have grown over the years, my parents' bedroom closet is bigger than one of our bathrooms. :) Their house is only nine years old.
I'm not going to let this clutter defeat me, though. We like our home, and I've just got to keep working on organization. The tried and true method of throw away, donate, and keep is a good way to go about this. At the moment, I'm working on my bedroom closet. I'm really pleased with the progress I've made, and I'll share some pictures when it's finished. This evening, I bought a purse organizer made by Real Simple at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and I think it's going to be just the thing I need for storing my purses.
I'm also about two-thirds of the way finished with the bathroom linen closet. One day when our son moves out on his own, we'll have another closet to use for storage. But I'm not rushing him out the door. :) If I get a lot accomplished with the organizing tomorrow, I might reward myself by putting out some fall decor.
What method or system works best for you in keeping your home organized and clutter-free? Do you have big closets, tiny ones, or medium-sized closets like me?
I hope you're enjoying a fine fall day wherever you may be; it's really beautiful here today. Thanks for stopping by!
*Update* I've hung the purse organizer in my closet with my purses in it, and it's a great solution -- I love it!! This is the first Real Simple product I've bought, and I have to say I'm very impressed.
Denise
good luck Denise..
ReplyDeletedecluttering is never easy but you'll be so tickled when you get it done and wonder why you ever dreaded it so much.
I've gotten rid of so much in the last year it would fill another 2000 sq ft house so I have no idea how I crammed it all in here. Space bags helped for awhile but then I kept thinking if any of those under the bed blew a gasket I'd wake up pinned to the ceiling :) daugher too..
think about all the lucky folks who will be thrilled to get those things.. for me, thats the best part.
xoxo
Sonny
Moving 21 times in 36 years keeps my stuff down to a minimum. We've settled down now and I can see the stuff start to pile up again. But I'll whittle it away on my own - I don't want to move again!
ReplyDeleteI really try to keep track of the stuff I have and go through closets about twice a year and get rid of stuff. A little at a time works best for me.
Good luck on your de-cluttering.
You should show your purse organizer! I usually like to organize and look forward to cleaning out a closet as long as it's a manageable size. An attic is another thing. My biggest challenge is all my parents things such as a box of letters from my grandparents that I want to read. etc. It all takes up space. Well I hope you get your fall stuff up soon (meaning you accomplished what you wanted to!)
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. I am so overwhelmed with "stuff" it is really out of control at my house. I started with the kitchen last Sunday. And I will tell you there are many miles to go before I sleep (without nightmares about "stuff" that is).
ReplyDeleteWe must be of the same mind for I have been cleaning closets since I am now retired. I do like what George says. There was once a radio ad in Denver for the local flea market-- a place for people who were over stuffed to sell their stuff. Became a standard joke around. We are over stuffed.
ReplyDeleteCheering you on from Georgia! I can relate to this so much. I had been playing at organization for years, moving my schtuff from one area to the other. Last year, I finally gut up to tossing things out, and it was so freeing to me. Finally, after a full year of it, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in my organization. I still have two specific areas that need a new plan, but I am so much closer than I was. I told my husband recently that it feels like my house cleans itself because it's so much better organized these days.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any tips or before/afters, I would love to see them. I love stuff like that. I never showed mine because I was ashamed of the before shots. LOL (True story!)
I need to do some organizing. Especially on my closet. It's a nightmare. Maybe if you post some after shots of yours I will be inspired. I'm gonna Google that purse organizer. I could use something like that.
ReplyDeleteI love the feeling of accomplishment you get after a good purge an organization session. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, You are inspiring! I have been purging too but have more to do. The summer flew by for me with kids visiting and trips. I am still taking a blogging break but wanted to say" hi". I have missed blogland and all my friends. Still feeling a little overwhelmed but hope to be back around soon.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on fall cleaning and organization.