Simple 4 Step Guide to Complete Organization

Does trying to keep areas in your home clutter free overwhelm you?  Are you tired of implementing an organization system time and again only to see your closets end up looking like the picture below?  If so, it’s time to implement the “LOSE” Formula.

There are three people in our household and when we moved into our home and I was deciding where I’d be storing things our hallway closet was in complete disarray.  I had duplicates of items, old medicines, loose cotton balls and sheets mixed in with towels.  Needless to say, I had enough. I came up with this simple 4 step formula that was easy to implement and easy to maintain.

I apply the “LOSE” formula to any area in the house that needs organization.  What is the LOSE Formula? You need to remember four simple words:  Localize, Organize, Systemize, Economize.

Localize.  Step one of the LOSE Formula is “localize“.  This step is crucial because it’s the “location” that you will choose for organizing your items.  This is where you determine what needs organization and what you will be storing. On the other hand, if you choose an extra closet to store your children’s toys and art supplies, don’t store towels in there.

Organize.  Step two of the LOSE Formula is “organize“.  This will be the fun part!  This is where you will purge all the items you no longer have a use for or love.  I find that it is best to assess the area that you are organizing by determining how many shelves you have to work with or shelves that you need to add.  Look around the house for items such as old baskets, bins or shoe boxes that you can cover with contact paper to store smaller items.

Systemize.  Step three of the LOSE Formula will appeal to the label and list making lovers. Systemizing keeps track of your inventory. For example, you may buy a PS4 game at an awesome price and soon realize it’s one your children already own.  As a matter of fact, I was buying DVDs only to come home to find that we had the same ones in the entertainment center.  However, if you create a systemized list, money and time will not be wasted.

Economize.  Finally, the last step of the LOSE Formula is to economize.  By now, you know how to localize, organize and systemize. Think of economizing as finding prime real estate.  Then use it to get the best bang for your buck by utilizing the space to your advantage. Your space will not be getting bigger, but the items being stored there can if you allow it.  Make sure to purge or consolidate items to take up less room.  In short, by economizing my space, if I find another item at a great price, I have the space available.

Next are a few photos of the process along the way:

 

 

Lastly, some more pictures of the shelves:

All in all, invest a small amount of time to implement the LOSE Formula and there is no doubt it will be a cinch to maintain.

Finally, what are some of your best organizational tips?

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