11 Ideas for Organising Kids Bedrooms

Childrens bedrooms are well known for being messy spaces where they can be themselves. And all this is great and good apart from the messy bit!

I am so passionate about instilling good organising habits into children that will serve them well in later life, and think that we are never too little to do something – in fact, the smaller the child, the more like a game the actual tidying and sorting out can be.

My little girl is now 3, and really enjoys the fact that her room is quite tidy – she loves to show it off to people who come (it is a new room after we had an extension last year!), and not in a horrid precocious way, but in a genuinely proud way.

Not everything is in its place, and she has the freedom to play, read etc… – but she also knows that its her space, and is already quite house proud!

Here are my favorite tips for organising your childrens bedrooms – and I really hope that they help!

Get your children to take responsibility for their own rooms – dependant on their age. Even small children can keep things tidy!

Set up small rewards if they keep them tidy for a week, a month etc…

Children LOVE to have some independence and being in charge of their own room (to whatever extent you feel they are able) will really help with giving them this.

Have areas for toys, books, sleeping, changing (for babies), sitting (for them and for you!), clothes and anything else specific to you and your needs.

Ensure that everything stays in these areas and then it will be easier to find things.

It also helps to relax children as they work best with routine, and if they know where their things are in their room they will feel calmer.

If you have zones at their height then this will also make it easier for them to start to dress themselves, make their bed, choose a story etc…. (and it can also help to keep things away from them – although I highly advise taking medicine and other potentially harmful items completely out of their room – as they will always find something to stand on to get at it when you aren’t watching)

I suggest having very few toys in the bedroom, as this will encourage children to play there rather than sleep. If you keep the bedroom as a restful area then that usually will work better for you.

I find that having this split between their toys is really beneficial – and if you do use their bedroom as a punishment when they are naughty (I don’t advise this as it puts a negative feel to bedtime too), then you don’t want them to have fun in there while they are meant to be thinking about what they have done wrong!

Keep books in the room that are good for bedtime reading – my daughter loves her book about monsters – but its downstairs as she doesn’t like to read it at night!

Short books are best for bedtime for younger children, and activity books are better for playing rather than bedtime. It seems logical when you think about it – the last thing you want your child to pick out for his/her bedtime story is something that involves loads of interaction – you want them to start to wind down and simply listening to a story will be perfect for this.

Children grow out of their clothes quickly – as such keep a bag to hand that you can fill with small clothes (under the bed or at the bottom of a wardrobe are good places).

If you have younger children you may want to keep them for them, if not, give them to charity or sell them – but as soon as the bag is full get rid of the clothes.

Get your children to make their own bed as soon as they are capable.

To make this easy try and keep the majority of toys off the bed – hanging a toy hammock above the bed slightly works well as they are to hand, but allow the bed to be made easily.

To get more space out of a smaller bedroom, consider having a bed thats raised and allows for a desk/drawers, sofa etc… below. This is also really good fun for a child!

Multi functional furniture works well in childrens bedrooms – I also love this bookcase/dolls house from Laura Ashley - expensive but will work for years! (and currently on sale!)

Keep any toys in baskets so that they are off the floor – this makes hoovering much easier, and also gives your child a place to put everything at the end of the day.

Get your older children in the habit of getting their clothing for the following day ready the night before – stops any last minute searching around for a PE kit or a clean school shirt.

Younger children can do a tidy up at the end of the day, and make their bed when they get a little bigger.

Teenagers can also be in charge of cleaning their rooms too! (good luck with this one!)

Display childrens artwork on noticeboards in their room – this will make it more their own, and also prevents some damage to the walls from blu tack etc….

Giving lots of shelving will also help them to add their own individual character to the room – and children thrive on developing their own personalities.

If you label boxes, small children will be able to understand them if you label with pictures rather than words. This helps them to be able to tidy up and know where things go more easily.

Older children can have more of a say in decor, storage and style – and this could be a great incentive for them to get things tidy each day – why not use it as a reward!

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So, hopefully this has given you some ideas for how you can make your childrens rooms work for them, and you – whatever age they are currently. It may also give you ideas of how to make it work ongoing (white furniture is better than pink in a little girls room as it will age with them and will go with any colour room for example).

I hope that you have fun and that your child becomes enthusiastic about their own space – and proud of it! Thats the goal! – after all, one day they will have a whole house to look after hopefully…..

If you have any questions or comments please reply below and we’ll get back to you always. As ever, we love to hear from you!.

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May 2012 Organised!

May – the month of May Day, Bank Holidays, Half Term, and (fingers crossed!) the weather really starts to warm up.

This month is a great time to start getting outside – the garden will need looking after now in preparation for the summer, and all those outside jobs will be so much easier to do once its a little warmer!

I love May – my daughter was born at the end of the month and I am very grateful and aware that the warm days mean lots of walks and being able to be outside loads, but also of how nice being at home is when the sun is shining – it makes everything seems more manageable somehow and I always seem to get loads done which is a bonus!

Make this month really count for you…..

Here is a print out diary which I use – works well as theres space for reminders, TO DOs and a diary with times in so you can see at a glance where you have free time (if any!)

MAY 2012 DIARY PAGES

Also there is a handy checklist to get you in the habits of setting monthly goals, creating new habits, and basically being your backup for a more organised start to the month (I suggest printing it out and working through at the end of the previous month so that you are ready to go).

MAY 2012

Make the most of the bank holiday this month – theres only one for a change (our second May Bank holiday has this year been moved to June with an extra one added for the Queens Jubilee!What about looking at a BBQ for the end of the month? Get people invited, dust off the garden furniture – and really mark the start of summer (we can but hope! we are due a good one this year for a change….)Organise a babysitter for a few nights out over the coming weeks – now the nights are lighter and getting warmer its lovely to be able to wander into town and have a drink or meal – you will feel refreshed!

Although getting outside is fantastic – when the suns shining it makes everyone more enthusiastic about getting things done – I find that getting rooms decorated works well now so that they are ready for the summer – and you can open the windows to let paint fumes out etc…. – the brighter days means that changes you make will really make an impact which is an added bonus!Don’t let days out either not get planned in, or get ruined by bad weather (it is changeable!) – car picnics can be just as fun! think outside the box and don’t let things out of your control ruin having funIf you have children, they will no doubt have half term off at the end of the month – start looking at places to go that everyone will enjoy. If you work are there places that will look after your children for some of the week? Our gym does great days where they get to take part in loads of sports and crafts – and my daughters ballet class does a special week long course – you only have to look to find loads of interesting ideas that will make the week something special!If you are one of those people who can’t get motivated to exercise in the winter months, now is a great time to get outside walking – think of your swimsuit for motivation!Ensure all plans are made and finalised for summer holidays – and start to make a list for whats needed. Getting a little each week from now until you go will make things so much easier.

If you have any questions or comments please reply below and we’ll get back to you always. As ever, we love to hear from you!.

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Do you know your Organising Personality?

Never underestimate how important you are as an individual when it comes to organising your home and your life.

Your personality is totally unique to you.

I stress on this site that systems should be made that suit you as a person and your way of life – and that getting organised should involve creating new habits and systems that suit you and enhance your life without making it too much of a huge effort in the process.

If getting organised is too much like hard work, the chances are you won’t keep at it.

So you need to understand yourself and look within to realise your potential.

You have to understand how you work as a person and then organise your home accordingly.

This will ensure that you will have a fully functioning and calm household where everyone knows whats what – making it easier for you to have time and energy for the more important things in your life – your goals!

Getting organised isn’t just for the naturally organised, anyone can get more organised than they currently are, its just working out how to get there that people find difficult.

Most people would love to get organised – its at the top of many new years resolutions lists in fact!.

If you ask most people you know, they will say that they are more disorganised than organised. Why is this? Its mostly due to the fact that there is a mystery surrounding being an organised person, and it seems to be a goal that only a lucky naturally organised few get to achieve in life.

Its true that some people are more naturally organised than others, but it isn’t true that everyone can’t be organised – to a level that suits them.

Most people would love to get organised, both in their homes and personal lives – as it will ultimately give them more time and money and less stress. However, its easier said than done, and the key to being successful is to know what your organising personality really is.

Have you ever been to someones office or home and seen them using and praising what seems to be a fail safe system, only to take the idea home with you and it to fail within days?

A good example of this would be a post system, where they have drawers for each persons post, and then a drawer for post to go out of the office / house. This is great IF all people use it, and you don’t mind your outgoing post waiting until there is enough to take it to the postbox. If you are the type of person who is very spontaneous and works better knowing that everything has been done immediately then this method will drive you mad (so will watching other peoples post build up without then doing anything about it – grr!) and would therefore fail if you installed it in your space

“Failures” like this are simply the way that we perceive things – and are not at all the reality of the situation.

If you had taken the time to work out how YOU work best, and created a system that works for you, and not copied one that works for someone who isn’t like you, then it will be much more likely to be a success.

I like to break it down simply by working out what type of brain you have, and how you function in your day to day life at the moment. There are lots of derivatives and different ways to do this, but keeping it relatively simple is often a lot easier!

As a very basic guide, people who use their left brain more easily are more logical thinkers, and things tend to be very black and white (right or wrong), whereas people who use their right sides more tend to be more creative and things are various shades of grey.

LEFT SIDE CHARACTERISTICS

Logical

List makers

Planners

Rational

Detail Oriented

RIGHT SIDE CHARACTERISTICS

Creative

Visually Driven

Uses images more than words

Focus on the whole

Go with the flow

So – which are you? Take this simple test and see for yourself – just tick each of the following THAT YOU AGREE WITH:-

When I’m finished with an item, I put it away immediately

Whether I’m looking at a work of art or a room, I tend to prefer symmetrical design

My friends and family can rely on me to know whats going on at any given time

I love having a designated spot for each item in my wardrobe or drawers

I have a specific morning routine that never fails me

I often wear the same jewellery everyday

When I find a great meal at a restaurant, I order it every time I go there

I always bring a shopping list to the supermarket

My books and CDs are in alphabetical order or by genre

I feel guilty if I don’t follow the rules while playing board games

I work best when I have a plan or a schedule to work with

I HATE wasting time

I love having all my possessions on show and around the house

I like to move around my furniture a few times a year rather than stick with the same arrangement

Keeping current projects where I can see them is a must

On my computer I often am working on several things at once

When making purchases I usually go with my gut

If I have to explain directions to someone, I’ll draw a map rather than writing it down (and I would use landmarks rather than street names)

I often get in the car to go out and finds its low on petrol

I have a lot of objects and ornaments around my house

My desk is always filled with piles of papers, sticky notes and business cards

I am fine with people making last minute changes to plans

Now – look at how which column you have the most ticks in – if its the left then you are a LOGICAL thinker, and if you have more on the right then you are a CREATIVE thinker. If you have roughly the same amount on each side then you are a mix and can look at all organising methods to find which is right for each situation – lucky you!

I am definitely a logical thinker, but have a creative side too – however I do identify much more with the logical approach to organising, and because I know this, I tend to work better when I install systems and storage that is in line with the logical mindset.

You like everything out of sight and in order.

You like to plan things in advance and know whats going on

You like to feel in control

You may well be already quite organised, and you find it the most frustrating when you are not.

Because of these traits, you are likely to find that organising will work best for you if you have some of the following things in place:-

Loads of storage in every room with most things out of sightLabels to ensure that everyone knows where things are and what should be whereSystems and Routines for all areas and people in the houseA well organised diary so that everyone knows whats happening at a glanceA specified place for everythingLists, Lists and more Lists!Matching storage that coordinates with the decor

You like everything to be visible

You like to be spontaneous

You always have several things on the go at any one time

You are more easily distracted

You tend to be more emotional and sentimental

Because of these traits, you are likely to find that organising will work best for you if you have some of the following things in place:-

A large noticeboard in a prominent place so you can see invitations, pictures, letters etc…Lots of items displayed and dotted around the houseSpace for all your projects (a craft room, a home office etc…)Routines in place but only for the essentialsSpare time is used how you want to when it comes up – it isn’t plannedAsking others not to distract you would work well – don’t answer the phone, have everything you need for a project at hand rather than having to stop to find something halfway throughTry and finish one thing before you start anotherUse storage thats interesting to look at, or more unusual – even see through!Photos on displayMemorabilia boxes for every member of the familyUse hooks for items that you use often

So – there you have the 2 very basic personality types – and working out which of these you are can help all by itself and I am sure you can now see more easily.

However, if you want to know even more then read on, as we delve a little deeper into who you are and what will work for you….

Take a look at the following descriptions and see which one you fit into best – of course you may find that you fit one or two, and as with creative vs. logical personalities – you can utilise the techniques given in both of these to give you an even more personalised way of organising.

You love ensuring a job is done to its best standard, but don’t necessarily like to be the one in control. You like teamwork, delegating and planning.

What works for you?

Having all surfaces clear at the end of the day helps you feel that you are as organized as possible, and creates a feeling of calm.

You work best with lists and planners – so that you can see at a glance what needs to be done and any upcoming appointments etc…

You will work best when your household/family has their own tasks to complete – delegating chores to each member of the household will be vital to you.

You are good at juggling several different things at once – but try to prioritise and then you will get each job ticked off a little faster – giving you a sense of achievement throughout the day.

You are very able to run a house, but don’t like your day being run by others. You work well by yourself, and tend to get lots done. You are very much a “do it yourself” person.

What works for you?

You need to get the household on board with your organising plans – otherwise this will lead to frustration if they don’t keep the systems in place once you have instigated them.

Work WITH the others in your household and not AGAINST them – try and organise their spaces based on what they want and need, and not what you think will work best necessarily. Labelling works well for you, as this makes it easy for anyone to see what goes where.

Achievement-oriented and focused on details, you can see potential for improvement in any situation but tend to be overly critical of self and others. You like control and orderliness, but may expend useless energy in trying to achieve that goal 100%.

What works for you?

Try and just get a project started, and don’t be too harsh on yourself. You will see that even 80% of a job is better than not starting at all, and it will make all the difference!

Don’t try and be perfect in everything – set goals

Having designated places in your home for tasks will help you feel more in control

Highly ambitious, assertive and very industrious. You tend to have come from or are in a corporate background where results really mattered and gave you recognition.

What will work for you?

You want to feel productive, so working from schedules and TO DO lists will give you a sense of achievment (even ticking things off as you go will drive you forward)

Give yourself rewards as you complete tasks – even little things like a 5 minute break with a magazine and coffee will spur you on!

Don’t waste your time – make as much of every hour as possible in your day so you don’t feel that its wasted.

You are always on the go, and are very impulsive. You tend to base your day on what comes up, without necessarily planning it first. You get bored with lengthy tasks and find that they weigh you down. You want to feel free to do what needs to be done at any given time.

What works for you?

Ensure that when you are planning your day, you plan in only the most crucial items that NEED to be done then – and ensure you have plenty of free time – you know that this will be filled with whatever you decide to do that day – but at least you will be aware that your priorities are being dealt with as well.

Don’t micro manage your time – a weekly plan may work best for you as you can then see what will fit into the day you are in at that time. Just keep yourself focused on the overall picture of getting what you need done – no matter when that is.

Don’t let yourself be REACTIVE when shopping – stick to a meal plan and shopping list – otherwise this personality will be most likely to be drawn to the offers in each shop and spend much more than they set out to.

Helpful, friendly and trustworthy (though easily distracted), you are tuned in to other people.

What will work for you?

Try not to look at social media too often during the day as you are bound to spend too much time on them. Limit to about 2 times each day for 30 minutes (at most!)

Organise with others – have a group that help each other, or get a professional in. Listen to the radio to help you feel more social while you are doing big tasks.

The detail of things really doesn’t interest you. You want to have a little of everything going on at the same time, and feel more alive when this is the case (even though you aren’t really concentrating on anything 100%)

What works for you?

Labelling will work great as once its done you don’t really have to think or worry about whats goes where – as you have your labels to tell you!

Work in 15 minute time periods as then you are more likely to concentrate for a little time knowing that you can finish soon.

I hope that you now have a clearer idea of your organising personality, and have seen why certain things you may have tried already have failed.

I personally am a logical personality at my core, and all the derivitives sound like me (control freak, moi!?) so I am much more likely to have hidden storage, lots of it, and everything in its place – or at least thats my aim! I know that it will make me happier (and the areas that I have already done are testament to that), so thats what keeps me going.

TIP – If you do decide you need help from a professional organiser then please ensure you choose one that takes into account your personality and lifestyle, and doesn’t impose systems that you find uncomfortable to use – otherwise you will very soon slip back into your old habits.

As well as your main personalities, you may like to also think about your inner workings – are you a night owl or an early bird? Knowing this will really help you to do work out how your day would best be laid out.

If you work from home then you may find this a lot easier, and you may decide that you would work better doing your 8 hour day from midday to 8pm, and having the morning off, or waking up at 6am and working through to 2pm. Or even in 2 * 4 hour blocks with a long break in the middle of the day.

Have a play around with this as well, and you may just be surprised at the results in your productivity and motivation!

If you have any questions or comments please reply below and we’ll get back to you always. As ever, we love to hear from you!.

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How to Create More Time

Time is the one thing that we all have the same amount of. It makes no difference who we are – whether rich or poor, happy or sad, man or woman.

So – how come some people seem to achieve so much more from each 24 hour day?

The secret is to make every second count – and create more time within your day that can be productive – rather than wasting it on things that really don’t matter.

Its not really a matter of creating more time – just using what time you have to its absolute maximum.

When you think of your life, do you see someone who is proactive – finding opportunities and going for them – or someone who is reactive and finding reasons why they can’t do something.  Are you a glass half full or half empty person?

Most people who get things done tend to be proactive people. They strive for achievements, and set themselves goals to get there. In order to do this they need to be organised, and SELECTIVE in what they do with their time.

Here are the top 10 ways I know of that will really make a difference to your everyday life, and to you reaching your goals in life.

People often overlook how fantastic a ime management tool a simple diary can be. They simply use one to track the general outline of the day – and so that they can ensure that they don’t get double booked – but often overlook the fact that its the most valuable thing they own because it manages your time for you and enables you to be proactive everyday.

A diary can be your tool to getting the most out of your day – not getting stressed, and really getting things done – it just has to be used right!

I always do this exercise at the end of the day ready for the following day – as then I know I can wake up with a plan of action – and won’t waste time procrastinating in the morning about what I feel like doing (and this is a weakness of mine – I have wasted DAYS like this!)

Firstly, always have your diary to hand. It will then be easy to make arrangements, and see what you are doing and when. Use a diary system that suits you – whether on your phone, laptop or a diary book and pen (my personal favourite).

As and when you get appointments and unmoveable items – add them into your diary – and – as Dunacn Bannatyne Suggests in his book “How to be smart with your time” (click picture for details) – don’t just add in that it starts at say 10am – actually mark out a block of time that covers the event, travel time both ways, prep time etc…. Add in anything that you will need to have with you, the address and any other bits of information – therefore you will have it all to hand and know whats going on at a glance. You will also be able to clearly see how much of your day this is taking up (and can then also see if its worth that amount of time!)

Then, the night before, add into your spare time for the following day, anything from your TO DO list thats a priority, or anything that needs to be done in the same location or nearby etc…. – maximise your time like this to get more done.

Note – This system works brilliantly – as long as you only have one diary! If you work – use different colours for work and home if that helps – but always keep them together – you are only one person so treat your diary the same way.

For one day, or one week – start to note down how many times you were interrupted, and for how long. You will be surprised at the results!

The time spent per day being interrupted and trying to refocus is 2.1 hours. (2009, Basex)

The main culprit?

In the home, its usually the phone – with recent years the laptop (think email, social media etc….) adding to this. Basically its however people can reach you in your home at any time of the day where you feel that you have to answer their call right there and then.

I have a real issue with this fact – Its SO frustrating at any time when you stop something to pick up a phone and its a sales call or nothing important.

My way of getting round this is to do two things. Get a phone with number recognition – that way you can avoid numbers you don’t know, and answer those that you do (ONLY if you have the time there and then of course!).

Secondly, get an answerphone. If its urgent then you can hear the message and call them back.

Sound harsh? well not really – pretty much everything can wait. I will always pick up if its wherever my daughter is – no matter what – as she is my responsibility and I want her to know I am always there for her, but everyone else won’t mind me getting back to them when I have the time to talk. It is actually a better way of doing things, as then you will call and talk probably more in depth and with no distractions when you have finished whatever you were doing that stopped you picking up initially.

There are stats out there aplenty about how much time is spent getting back into a task once you have been interrupted, so stopping interruptions before they happen will ensure you get your tasks done quickly and more efficiently.

Your phone should be an asset and a tool for you to use rather than an inconvenience (especially if you also get text and email alerts through it! – put those on silent!)

My husband and I have gone one step further with this. We have a deal that if we really can’t talk when the other calls, then we can divert to voicemail. HOWEVER – if its urgent and we really need to talk to them, if we call back immediately then they know its serious and will pick up and drop whatever they are doing. This works brilliantly but we have had to make sure we don’t abuse it!

And as for emails and social media – limit yourself to looking at it once your jobs are done for the day – that way its a bonus to your day, a reward for getting things done, and won’t distract you while trying to work if you know that you have given yourself time later.

One of the best ways to create more time, is to look at what you are doing and see whether any of those things could actually easily be done for you by someone else – and then get them to do it!

Delegation works brilliantly for things like cleaning, ironing, childcare etc…. – can you share workloads with another mother? Can you pick up all children for 2 days a week and swap for the other 2 days? Can you hire a cleaner to do some or all of the household jobs? Can other members of your household do more?

Think how much time you spend doing a job, and if you work then weight up whether your time is better spent earning money, doing something else, or continuing to do the job in question.

I have freed up time in my week now to enable me to get more work done by getting some of the household chores done by others – and it works really well (although I really fought against it – my control freak nature coming out again!)

One fantastic time saver is to get my car washed when I am in the gym – I simply drive up and leave it with them – meaning that I waste none of my own time, and saving valuable hours at the weekend!

Automation is also a great way to claw back some time.

If you still spend time paying bills by going to the bank, post office, writing and posting a cheque etc… see if each supplier can be set up on direct debit. Then you only need to spend a few minutes each month checking that the amounts going out are correct.

What about getting a dishwasher if you haven’t got one? This saves loads of time each day which could be better used elsewhere.

If you work from home, a lot of things can be automated – I write my blogs when I have the time to do them justice – and then schedule them to post on certain days of the week which means that there is a regular stream of posts for my readers rather than a glut on one day and then nothing for a few days / weeks, I have linked my social media so you can see things wherever you are looking for it!, and I have set up various reminder systems that automatically bleep when I need to do something (birthday reminders etc….).

There is so much out there that can make your life easier when you look for it that it simply makes sense to use them!

NB – I intend to search for the best of these during my posts, so keep an eye out for reviews! I feel that its my job to test things out so that it saves you time and you can simply go for the best out there that suits you!

It’s human nature to tend to drag your feet when you have a horrid task to do – and oftentimes it is the thought of the task thats much worse than the task itself.

If you leave the worst tasks of the day until last, chances are you will fill the day with irrelevant other stuff to keep yourself busy rather than getting on with it – and you will not only waste that day, but another day when you will eventually get round to the task. You will also waste headspace having to think about the task that you don’t want to do.

Basically – if you get the nasty task out of the way first you will automatically feel fresher and lighter, and usually end up getting more done.

I always try and do the worst task of the day mid morning – and finished by lunchtime. I check my emails and do any important admin at the start of the day – then grab a coffee and settle into the harder task. By lunchtime I have usually done at least enough to make finishing it off much easier, or will have completed it fully.

Its a lovely feeling then when you come back from lunch to be able to do the nicer tasks – especially if, like me, you get an afternoon slump!

If you had left the harder task until now you will be fighting with yourself to get it done and it will take far longer and probably not be done as well – so just GET IT OUT OF THE WAY!

The 80/20 rule (Paretos Principle) has shown time and time again that 80% of the tasks can be done in 20% of the time – meaning that the last 20%  takes 80% of the time! Now thats a waste of time!.

Usually this wastage will come from procrastination, dragging your feet on tasks that you don’t want to do, and simply not being focussed.

Basically its saying that you can very quickly do a near perfect job – and getting it perfect may just be the time waster thats not really required.

There is very little in this world that HAS to be done perfectly – so ask yourself every time you start a task – how perfect does it have to be?

I know from bitter experience that if you try and do a perfect job then you either never start the job for fear of failing, or you spend so much time and get so stressed over it that it wastes time too.

Aim for 80% perfect and then see whether that will be enough. You may be surprised at the results!

Really look at how you are spending your time currently – what are you wasting your time on? What can you say NO to?

Creating a time log for a week will help you to focus on where you can save some time.

Are you making too many trips to the supermarket when you could actually get it done in 1 or 2? Do you spend time taking your children to places that actually could be shared with other parents? – there are so many things that you may be doing simply from habit rather than because they are required. Think smart!

The other stuff to delete from your life is clutter. It takes 40% less time to clean the house when its clutter free! – reason enough to start decluttering today!

Less stuff in your life means less shopping, less cleaning, less upkeep, less of pretty much everything!

Knowing how your body clock works can be a great way to gain more time as you can end up scheduling things in for when you work best.

When we are most awake we get things done more quickly and do a better quality of work usually.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Get in sync with your own natural patterns and work then if you can to get more done

Also – an easy way to create more time is to see whether you can actually get up earlier or stay up later – a very easy win!

In point 1 I said it was imperative to not only schedule appointments in your diary, but to also add in travel time and prep time etc…. Along with this you should also add in a buffer for travel in case of a jam, for errands in case of queues etc…. – and then take something that you can productively do with the time if you end up not needing the buffer.

This has two effects – you are always on time for appointments and are therefore less stressed – and you also get a few extra bits done in the time you have gained!

I like to carry a few articles from magazines that I want to read, or a website on my phone that I need to take a look at – that way I am doing something I may not have the time for otherwise.

Use audio books to get through some of those books you just don’t have the time to read at home – you’ll be amazed at how productive this down time can be (can also do this when exercising, walking somewhere etc…)

It isn’t often that adults have time to simply sit and read – especially if you have children.

Starting to create a habit of listening to audio books rather than the radio may just be key to getting more done for you – I have found it invaluable and have several audio books and courses in my car ready!

Look after yourself and you will be more productive in general – thus creating more time overall.

Exercise, eat well, take frequent breaks – getting energised and healthy will totally improve your energy and get things done much more quickly

What will you look back on in your life and think “that was time well spent?” – thats key to how you should spend more of your time, and following this top 10 list will definitely get you more of the time needed for the more important things in life!

When you create more time for yourself – you can see how others manage to get so much done – and it can be energising! Of course, how you then use that time is totally up to you…….

So – how would you spend an extra hour each day…..?

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Moving House Countdown Checklist and Tips

Spring is one of the favourite times for people to move house.

Its when things seem brighter, the winter and Christmas is over (typically when people simply nest!) and people are now ready for making changes.

It also works well in that you can often be moved and in your new home by the summer – and can then enjoy your new home in the good weather (that is, if we get some!)

Most people get quite overwhelmed by the prospect of moving. It is always said that its one of the most stressful points of your life along with divorce, having children and getting married, but if you get yourself organised, and utilise the help thats out there, then it can be quite painless really!

I have tried to give an easy to follow checklist that takes you through the countdown to moving, with lots of tips and tricks thrown in. Let me know if you have any extra tips and tricks, and I hope that if you are moving that you have a stress free time!

Moving comes in stages, from the initial decision to move, right through to sitting in your new home the night you have moved in. Its a long road, but so worth it, and following the steps and advice below will really help to keep you on track.

If its for more space would your money actually be better spent on extending your current property? The cost of moving is considerable and actually can be seen as a waste of money – extending will mean that you could get the property that works for you without wasting your money at all. Get an estate agent to look at your ideas and to value it before and after. It may just be the sensible option! (also, you may want to think about getting plans drawn up anyway as this can be a great selling point to show potential purchasers what the potential is)

Can you use your existing rooms in a different way to make more of them? Even simple changes and redecoration can breath new life in a home that you thought you were tired of. I am an interior designer and home stager by trade, and have often had the situation where I have staged a home ready for selling, only for the seller to decide that they love the changes so much they wanted to stay! Seriously think about why you are moving before you start the journey.

Try and get your property on the market or ideally sold prior to looking for your next property – its a difficult scenario to be in, but if you are in this position you are ready to be able to pounce on the property of your dreams when you see it, and the sellers may well look at you most favourably in a bidding war if you have your property sold already.

You may decide to sell without an agent, which can be a good idea if you are looking to save a bit of money as you save the agents fees, but you also don’t get as much marketing as an agent can provide, or access to a list of people in your area who are actively looking.

To get your property sold as soon as possible, ideally you will want to have it staged for selling by a professional.  I am a little biased about this step as I am actually a home stager and interior designer by trade – and I really firmly believe in what staging can do for selling a property faster and for its maximum price.

Staging does not have to cost a lot, but may mean the difference between selling quickly, and the property languishing on the market for weeks/months.This practise in common place in the US, where most homeowners would not consider putting their home on the market without it being staged first – why would you want to try and sell the most expensive asset you own when its not looking the absolute best it can look?Simple tricks and quick fixes can really make a difference to how viewers will perceive your home – you are trying to create the feeling that you had when you moved into your home – not the feeling that you may have now as you want to move and the home no longer fits your needs. You need to get back to the excitement you had when you first moved in.Personally I have moved twice over the past ten years, and both houses have sold for more than the ceiling price of the road, at the asking price, and to the first buyer that has walked through the door (the second one went to sealed bids too!). This is absolute testament that staging works, and really does take the hassle out of selling. We were ready to make a move on the house that we wanted as soon as we put ours on the market, we were in a strong position and therefore negotiated a great price for that house, and we didn’t have to have the stress of having people walking through the property for weeks or months prior to getting an offer. We didn’t even have the hassle of bartering over the selling price as people simply wanted to ensure they were the ones who got it. Quick, simple and stress free – a great way to start the moving house journey I am sure you will agree!

        

Before and After of a Living Room Home Staging Example from my own home

Ensure you know what your wishlist for a new property is. Why are you moving? Do you need more space, do you want to be local to a good school, do you have family or work that you want to be closer to. Do you need another bedroom, a home office, a larger garden, a kitchen/diner etc… If you can write down everything you want in a new home, and prioritise it, then you will be able to see which homes you want to look at and possibly cut down on your search. It will also help you to focus on your move and what you want to get out of it.

If you are moving to a new area, research the area and surrounding areas carefully. See how far you would comfortably commute and draw a circle around that area on a map. Then look at whats a high priority for you – schools, being close to shops, being rural/urban etc…. and then you can close your search location down even more – saving valuable time when viewing properties.

TIP – When viewing properties, pick one thats not what you want at all – if you see it and it is a definite NO then you can be more sure your wishlist is right – whereas you may be shocked to discover that this may actually be the one for you after all! – Don’t completely narrow what you are looking for, as you may be surprised!

Get on all the local estate agents books – you want to be the first to find out about suitable properties. Show that you are keen and willing to move, and not a time waster. You want them to call you as soon as your ideal property comes on the market, and not someone else

When you have found the home you want to move to, and an offer has been accepted, now is the time to really start managing your move. Don’t expect things to just happen, and don’t assume that this is the case. If you can, look to get a move date in place and agreed down the chain. Then appoint a solicitor with this date in mind. (Keep chasing this date every week so that dates don’t slip – we have had the situation where the chain was talking to each other and had a date in mind, but our solicitor had decided that they would go for a different date as it worked better for them – disaster!)Create a moving folder – and keep everything relating to the move in this – it will then be easy to find all documentation, letters etc…. that can really build up during this time.If you are transferring schools, nurseries, offices etc… then ensure that the new ones have been informed and are ready to take you and your children.Look at removals firms – I strongly suggest for a smooth and easy move to get them to also pack for you – as they can do this in such a short amount of time, and the cost is minimal for the stress saved. Get recommendations from people who have used them before, and get provisional dates booked in as soon as you can so that its one more thing to not have to worry about (it will also get you really thinking about the logistics of the move, in terms of whether you need any items stored if you are doing work on the new property, whether you will want to take everything you have, is there room in the new property etc….)Start to create a floor plan of the new property and work out what you want to put where – this will possibly change in the next few weeks, but having it written down will again force you to think about it, and will make life a lot easier when telling removals people whats going on.Organise mail forwarding – a years duration is best (especially if you work from home) – CLICK HERE to sort this outGet to know your new area – research doctors, dentists, schools, shops etc… and get yourself on their books as soon as possible – it may take a little time to get into each systemIf possible, keep your old phone number in your new house – it will make things easierStart to organise your belongings, it is never too early to start thinking about what you may or may not want to take with you. If you can have a big sort out now it will save time in the long run, and you will be able to see things more clearly. Look at our decluttering pages for more details of how this can be done more easily. If you declutter now you won’t have to pay removals for moving items that are of no value to you, and you won’t have to have them cluttering up your new property – think of this move as a clean slateWith things like Sky / Virgin TV and Broadband, call and arrange for them to switch to your new address on moving day – they will then install it at your new property and you will have no break in your service – especially necessary if you work from home.Now is a good time to research who the cheapest and best suppliers are in your new area for gas, electricity etc…. so that you can inform them of your move and start an account if it is a different company to the one you are currently using. Create a list of everyone thatyou pay any bills to, and update or write beside it if you are going to change supplier once you move. Having everything in one place will make things much easier!

Book pets to be looked after by friends, or put in kennels or a cattery for moving day to make life easier! Also do similar with children, as they will find the move easier if they don’t have to deal with the actual move and the stress around them.Let friends and family know about your move – send cards out the week prior to moving as you will be far busier once you have moved.Ensure all your paperwork / financials are aware of your change of address – go through each section in your filing cabinet and keep a checklist of those that you have contacted and had confirmation fromStart to finish off the food in your freezer so that its easy to clean and you don’t waste things unecessarily.Ensure all your local accounts are settled and know of your move date (milkman, dentist, doctor, newsagent, library books, dry cleaners etc…)Anything that you need to leave for the new owners should be labelled clearly (spare keys, instructions for the cooker, alarm, boiler, etc….) – create a small folder for any paperwork that they may need going forward i.e. warranties etc… Also, check where you are to leave the keys for your old property and where your new keys will be on moving day (especially important if anyone in the chain is moving a long way away as it would be very time consuming if they were to leave and forget to leave the keys!)If possible, get carpets and the house cleaned prior to the removals coming in to your new home – its the easiest time as its empty – then you will be moving into a fresh and clean houseRemovals firms will usually come now to pack up for you if you want this service (I highly recommend it as a time and stress saver!) When packing, label boxes for the next houses’ rooms – colour code if preferred as this is easier to see – give the removals people a plan of the new home with the room names/colours on it and then they will be able to unload accordingly

Have a moving box with essentials that you keep with you on moving day – such as kettle, tea bags, cleaning products, hoover, spare change, food and drink, mobile with essential numbers in it, numbers for your solicitor and estate agent so you can call for any updates – etc…Transport all paperwork / documents / precious items with you when you move – this will help with your calmness as you won’t lose it!After the removals have finished in each room, hoover and clean the property – there is nothing worse for the new owners than having to clean the house as soon as they arrive. It is also a lovely touch to leave a bottle of wine and a note welcoming them to the area and hoping that they will enjoy their new home.Ideally for security get a locksmith to change the locks of your new property as then you will be sure that only you have access.Don’t even think about cooking on your first night – get a takeout and a bottle of wine and just chill in your new home – toast a successful move – tomorrow you can start to really sort everything out.Introduce yourself to your new neighbours – you never know when you may need help, or whether they will become friends!Take your time unpacking - get the essentials right and then live with the house for a short time – you may find that useage changes for each roomI find that if your new home needs decorating it is always a good idea to paint it all in an off white or cream initially – then you can live in the space for a  while, see how you live, see what the light is like etc… and then you can make proper decorating decisions over the years. This will ensure you don’t make expensive mistakes and that you get the home of your dreams that really works for you.Give spare keys to a friend or neighbour in case of an emergency – do it now so that you never get caught out!

If you have any questions or comments please reply below and we’ll get back to you always. As ever, we love to hear from you!.

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Being Organised OR NOT Can Affect Your Relationship!

I was reading a magazine article the other day that mentioned how important it was to be in sync with your partner – so that your relationship flourished.

It was an article about how, no matter what your personalities were, you can work together to ensure that your relationhip thrived – and that you both felt that you weren’t being pushed out in terms of your thoughts and feelings.

This made me think about how our organising personalities can also affect our relationships – in fact, it can be a catalyst to the most severe of relationship issues. Underlying resentment, not feeling heard, living in a home that doesn’t echo you as a person – need I go on!

Think about it for a moment – do any of these scenarios sounds familiar?:-

You walk into the bathroom only to find wet towels on the floor crumpled up, and underwear strewn around…. what a welcome!Your partner is a cleanaholic – and you never feel like you can relax totally in your own home for fear of getting something dirty or moving it from its placeYou can never find anything – your partner is constantly tidying up but never into places that you know about – keys could be in a drawer one time and in a coat pocket the next!The other person constantly makes you late for everything – either by losing things like keys or wallet/handbag, or by not having the directions or invitation to hand so you don’t know where you are going and what time you have to be there (I digress, but this leads me to a very funny story of my own disorganisation – we were due at a party for halloween and I was stressed as we were going to be late for the 1pm start. We got there and with no cars outside thought we had actually missed it altogether as it was now 2pm – when we knocked on the door we were greeted by very bemused hosts – the party didn’t start for another 2 hours! – we helped them set up and everything was fine – but I had mixed up in my head the times of two parties over 2 days – NOTE TO SELF – ALWAYS WRITE IT IN YOUR DIARY AND LOOK AT SAID DIARY EACH DAY!)It is always left to you to ensure everything is done – that theres food in the house, that people have the correct clothes clean and ready for what they are doing each day, that there is petrol in the car, that noone is doubled booked, …… the list is endless

It can be SO frustrating to be in any one of these situations.

Whether you are an organised person or a disorganised person, if your home and lifestyle doesn’t work for you, then you can feel out of control and unsettled – and thats no way to live.

Nowadays we have usually lived by ourselves for a while before settling down and living with our partners, and in this time we have developed our own habits and way of life. We have worked out what works for us, and have enjoyed the freedom to express our own personalities.

This may well be in line with how we were brought up, but may well be in rebellion to our childhood (people who grow up in messy and unorganised homes either follow suit and replicate this in their own homes, or decide that they want to live in an organised way now, and vice versa for those who lived in a very organised and possibly too controlled environment)

When we start to live with who will be our partner for life – if our way of life and therefore our organising personalities clash too much then fireworks can occur.

Your usual habits, your way of life, and who you fundamentally are can be thought to be in question when how you live is in direct opposition to your other half.

Its not a nice way to live – for either of you.

There is no right or wrong way to live your life.

Knowing this is half the battle really, as you can then start to really look at what parts of your lifestyle are most important to you, and which to your partner – and see if you can meet somewhere in the middle.

Just the pure fact that you are reading this means that you are probably somewhat organised, or getting more so – so your partner is more likely to be the one who is more disorganised. Lucky lucky you if your partner is also organised like you!

You don’t need to change dramatically to co-exist in peace – its just give and take and understanding thats required.

I suggest living with each other for a few weeks AT LEAST! and getting a feel for each other before you try and tackle any gripes you have. If you start to criticise from the off then you will only get each others backs up and most likely one or both of you will stop listening altogether.

Its about learning to cohabit together so that you both feel heard and respected by the other person – and to allow each others habits to be understood – while trying to change a little each to become more in sync.

Just as with other aspects of a relationship – over time you will naturally change to be more in tune with each other, but by being proactive you may alleviate the constant niggles and frustrations you have, and even possibly the downfall of the whole relationship.

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How to Create a Home File

In my home I call myself the house manager.

I am the one who knows where people need to be, what they need when they get there, and pretty much run the house.

My husband is great and always helps, but the main running of the house is my domain. This is how we like it and it works really well.

However, being the one who is in charge of making things happen in the house makes me want to do two things:-

Make it as easy as possible for me to do this role without it taking FOREVER!Make it easy for someone else to take over this role if something happened to me (an accident, or being in hospital, or on holiday even), taking away that stress from them? (Now I am not an all doom and gloom person – just practical! Thats why we write wills after all!)

So – having looked at creating systems that work for us in our home, as part of my paperwork system (soon to be available! watch this space) I created a manual for the home.

This is common place in many homes, and has different names – but ultimately the same goal – to ensure that if anyone needs to know anything about the house and the people in it – they know where to look!

I call mine the HOME FILE.

A home file is the secret to a well run home.

Think of it as the manual that guides anyone in your household as to the runnings of your home.

Its the place that has all the information you need on a weekly if not daily basis, and is an invaluable tool that you will wonder how you did without!

I absolutely think that creating a home file as part of a paperwork system in a home is the key to it running successfully on a day to day basis.

The idea is to enable your home to run smoothly without you as and when necessary – and to make your life easier in the process!

Information in it should be specific to you and your family – it is a guide to running your specific home after all – and everyones will be slightly different, depending on what is done in your home and by the people in it.

The Home File should be kept in a place thats easily accessible to the whole family – and can therefore be used by everyone when required.

I find that in my post, filing and paperwork area is best – keeps everything together!

Most families have an area (usually in the kitchen) where paperwork and diaries etc.. collect – where we pile up the post, write notes to each other etc…. so even if you haven’t started to organise this area as yet, you will have a good idea where is best in your home to start creating your paperwork and admin zone.

My home file is simply an A4 Filofax style folder. Theres no big fancy system really – just a little hard work from you to pull everything together.

I have used different sized folders over the years, but have now settled on A4, as I find this the easiest to work with, and a lot of paperwork comes in this size already. Its also a practical size to see everything you need.

I like the filofax folders as they are sturdy, and won’t fit too much in so I have to be organised!, however, a good quality ring binder would work just as well (TIP – always get a 4 ring one as these make the papers stay in much better which will otherwise cause you daily frustration!)

Having it in a folder form rather than a book or a filing system makes it more portable, and its easier to take things out and add to sections etc.. as you need to.

It also give you the ability to put in plastic files which can hold items that haven’t got holes in – such as vouchers, tickets etc…)

To create your own home file you would only need the following items:-

Some sort of folder of your choice (size, colour etc…. to work for you – 4 holed works best for A4)Dividers / Tabs that will enable you to find things easily and manage the file betterPlastic folders for any odd sized items or smaller pieces of paper that need to be kept togetherHole punch for your required sized folder (4 holes ideally)Pens of different colours – you could have a colour for different areas, or each person in your home etc…

You have now got the items needed to create your file – now you need to fill it and make it your own.

I did a lot of thinking around what should and shouldn’t go into this file, and I suggest you do the same. If there is too much then it just becomes an unweildy mess that you don’t really want to keep getting out and trawling through, and if it hasn’t got enough information in it then its simply not that useful! You have to find the happy medium.

I feel that the only things that should be in a Home File are things that you need information about on a daily basis. Any other paperwork can be filed in the required place (hope I’m building anticipation of my forthcoming paperwork system – watch this space!!!). Its really important to distinguish between these.

I have tabs to separate each section, and have the following in it – but you could add whatever you need to make it your own of course – this is simply a guide to get you started:-

Per person – school timetables etc…Events lists from organisations such as church, sports groups, playgroups, etc…Master Year Planner with special occasions marked onMaster Monthly / Weekly / Daily PlannersHousehold TO DO list / Master TO DO listMorning and Evening routines / ChecklistsCleaning Schedule (including monthly, seasonal and annual tasks)Personal Information including clothes, shoes sizes, medicines, medical histrorySchool / Work informationPresent IdeasDVDs / Books / CDs etc…. to rentThings to do Lists – such as rainy days activities for little ones, websites to look at when you have a spare few minutes etc…Meal planners incl. whats peoples favourites. Have a 4 week rolling plan to make things easyShopping ListTake Away Menus (with list of favourites for ease!)Recipes to try in the the monthHousehold Decorating information by room (plans, paint, wallpaper, carpet etc…. and where purchased)Home Inventory List (in case of theft)Suppliers Details (gas, water, electricity etc…)List of recommended or previously used tradespeopleCar maintenance and breakdown informationHousehold Budget InformationList of all credit cards and who to contact if stolen (NOT ALL CARD DETAILS THOUGH FOR SECURITY!)Receipts for this month (to be moved to filing system when older than this)Shopping vouchersTO BUY listEmergency Information (Emergency Services contact details, Who to call, Where to find documents, etc…)Babysitters Information sheet incl. where switches are, first aid kit, bedtimes and routines, how to work the TV and remotes etc…Phone numbers and addresses and emails etc…. – copy from your mobile as you never know when you may lose it.Present ideas for people, allergy information, notes on their likes and dislikes etc….Star those that you send Christmas cards to – saves making another list!Party Planning InformationChristmas Checklists and IdeasDay Trip / Outing IdeasPreparing for Holiday ChecklistPacking Checklist incl. things to do around the house i.e. cancel milkMagazine SubscriptionsMemberships (Zoo, Gym etc…

I have also got sheets to print out of all these sections to make things even easier for you – and they will be available as part of my paperwork system ecourse which is currently being written – WATCH THIS SPACE!

Any paperwork thats got more longevity and is only required very occasionally such as birth certificate, insurance certificates, passports etc…. . These are best kept in a fireproof cabinet/box in a more hidden away place in your home.

The home file should purely be a reference for the family and therefore should have checklists and reference to places that the main paperwork is kept. You shouldn’t be having to leaf through several pages of bills before you find a reference number for example – it should be in a simple and easy to read list ready for when you need it.

I like to think of filing in 2 parts – Deep filing for items that are important to keep but are not needed often, and your home file, which can be accessed easily and has more frequently used paperwork.

There are so many scenarios that the Home File really comes into its own for you – heres a few – see if any sound familiar!

Your power / water / utilities fail – finding the contact details of your supplier and your reference number within seconds would be good!Now – where did you get that cake from for that party last year? – Now you will have it all written down and ready to use this yearA friend gives you a name of a great decorator – instead of losing the details you can now add to the home file and have it to hand when you need itPeople are coming over for dinner – now – do any have preferences or even allergies? You will find their info in the home fileYou have a babysitter and need to leave the house asap – turn to the babysitters page in the home file and all the information they need will be there waiting!You have an accident and end up having to stay in hospital for a few days – now anyone can pick up where you left off and the rest of the family need not be too disturbed in their normal day to day lifeYou can quickly pick up the shopping list as you go out of the door – safe in the knowledge that it has everything you need for the meals you have planned.Everyone can see what they should be doing by following the schedulesLast minute holiday? Easily pack in an instant with the list you have made

The list is absolutely endless! Basically you can run your home and save time, energy and effort in doing so!

I LOVE my Home File and wouldn’t be without it. Everyone knows where they are, and it can be updated as regularly as required. It is specific to our needs as a family, and can be updated and altered as we change.

Let me know below how you get on creating your own!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Organising

I often get asked questions about getting organised and decluttering – and so decided to set up a Q&A Page to answer the most common ones.

The aim of this page is to give you the answers to the most frequently asked queries, and then as and when questions are added to the comments section below they will be answered and if they are popular questions then I will add them to the main part of the post as well.

This is an interactive post for you – so if you have a query then please add it to the comments and I will answer each one for you. I can’t wait to hear about your issues and even some tips to help other readers!

Always start where it hurts the most.

This means that wherever you are finding you are wasting the most time / energy and/or money by not being organised.

If you immediately feel a benefit then you will be more likely to continue into other areas of your home/life. If you start with something relatively insignificant to you like a linen cupboard – then you will be less likely to feel an motivated to continue.

Common places that people start on are paperwork, creating more time, and organising their hallway (this is the first room you see when you walk into your home, and has lots of items in it that require organising otherwise it can be a very cluttered welcome home!).

Nice idea – but it won’t work!

People commonly assume that an organised house has to look very minimal – but the idea of organisation is about functionality rather than the aesthetics of the space.

Of course, many people naturally want to look organised as well as be organised, so the two often go hand in hand, but please don’t feel that you need to throw anything out – especially if you don’t want to.

The organising process does involve decluttering – but only to the extent of items that are not functional or sentimental in your home.

You may throw everything you own away but still be left with an unorganised house that will build up again over a few months. If you organise now then its a lifestyle and habit change that will continue to work forever.

This is one of the most common things that people say when it comes to getting organised.

Yes, organising takes time and effort to complete – but once it has been done it will only take a few moments each day to stay organised – therefore in the long run you will be saving so much time that you will have more time than ever for the other, more important things in your life.

A little effort and time spent now in getting organised will free up tonnes of time when done –

Time to relax, take up a new hobby, spend quality time with family and friends, start a business – the list is endless!

There is no one answer for this, as everyone is so different. However, having a sense of being organised is really important, and getting everyon in the household involved is equally so.

Something that has both these items within it is the creating of the HOME FILE.

This is a file that will collate the household and family information into your own personal manual for your lives. If everyone knows where to look for information, then life should run more smoothly!

Making the process very visual often helps for smaller children. Labelling using pictures rather than words will enable everyone to see clearly where things go.

Getting children to help and make it into a game will also help – creating habits for them will ensure that they stay organised into adulthood and therefore find it easier to run their own homes eventually.

Start organising areas that help each member of the family the most – then they will be able to clearly see the benefits of what you are doing and are more likely to help you by maintaining it!

Also, by giving small rewards to family members who help with organising and maintaining the organised home will reap its benefits.

Rewards can be simple – maybe a favourite meal, a trip out, a games night etc….. (using your new found time!)

Motivation is different for different people.

Some people are motivated enough when they start to see the results of their organising. When an area is really organised it gives a great sense of satisfaction.

Others are more rewards based – and if you are one of these people, why not treat yourself to a favourite drink or meal at the end of the day, a hot bath, a magazine and cup of tea, a day out etc… something just for you that will relax you and make you feel content will do wonders!

Another great incentive to keep motivation at its peak is to have a goal to aim towards – so organise a party at your house for a couple of months time, by which time you will want to have done lots of the organising so you will be proud to show people into your home and be the host!

Messy houses can be organised, just like minimal houses can be disorganised.

Organisation is the functional side of the house and NOT the aesthetics.

It ensures that everyone knows whats happening, where they should be and where everything is in the house.

If you are happier in a more messy home than this does not necessarily need to change, but you may find that once you start organising then a less messy house will naturally follow.

Organising is about working with your habits and personality and not against them – if you try and work against them too much you will find that you naturally lose the desire to keep the systems in place.

Decluttering is just part of the organising process – you may have loads of stuff that you want to keep – and part of the organising process will be to ensure that you are able to enjoy your stuff, and not let it hinder you.

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Storage Beds Are The Future!

As many of my readers will know, I have an alter ego! I have an interior design and home staging business too.

My organising passion links in really well with this as decluttering is key to a home looking great – and great storage is a must for a functional and practical home. In fact, storage is the place where my clients really want to look at getting great style and function from everything that we add into their home.

I believe that storage must work hard to be in a home, and that it works best when its making an existing peice of furniture multi functional as this saves space as well. I have talked before about purchasing furniture that has built in storage – and the storage bed is my idea of the best!

I don’t know about you (I can guess though!) – but I used to be so sick of having to be a contortionist and do that funny commando crawl to get to one last lone box from under the bed, only to find when I managed to get out (crawling backwards is HARD!), a layer of dust that had been quite happy to be forgotten about completely over the years had managed to migrate all over my clothes…. yuck!

Lets face it – under the bed is definately one of those areas that doesn’t get a weekly clean from most people! (in my house the beds are lucky to see a hoover annually….. I confess!)

And when we needed to replace our bed (note to self, jumping on a bed that has pine slats under the mattress probably isn’t going to increase the life span of the bed!!!! – even if it is fun!) I started on a mission to find something that looked good, but stopped the frustrating things that I was getting simply tired of.

And thats when I found the storage bed.

Here are the main reasons why I love storage beds so much:-

When I first changed beds to a storage bed, the stuff I had under my old bed (which filled it completely) only filled about a quarter of the new space!

I like to store bedding, out of season clothes etc…. – and guests don’t have to see everything!

Master bedrooms work well as some storage beds can be quite high up which gives the bed more prominence in the room, and also then gives more storage (again great for out of season clothes)

They are a great hidden place when you have small children as you can hide presents etc… from little eyes! Mydaughter has only just found out about our storage bed, and it will be a long while before she can open it herself (shes 3).

They stop you having to have a large cupboard or chest of drawers in the room – thus freeing space and helping you to become more visually clutter free

They are MUCH easier to get hold of things that you have stored there.

A lot of beds have a mechanism that lifts the mattress with minimal effort from you – and you can choose whether you want a bed thats hinged from the side or the headboard.

Stops everything getting dusty as the space is fully sealed when you close it.

Here are some key things to look for when you are buying a storage bed – and worth considering whether you need them or whether you can get a cheaper bed that does what you want instead.

How much storage do you want? Look at the height of the base as some are a lot shallower than others, and if you want to storae suitcases etc… you want to ensure they will fit.Some beds have a base and can be on feet – which I personally prefer – but others have a simple layer of fabric that goes on the floor. The former is more expensive, but gives a better finish.You can get leather finish beds with headboards, which are more common in the cheaper price brackets – but you can also get fabric finished beds which you can match to your decor.Because you have hidden storage, then they are quite secure for your stuff – and some makers take this one step further and give you options like having a safe in the bed. This makes sense to me if you have jewellery that you aren’t taking on holiday – as its less likely to be found here than in many other places. This can go one step further as some have locks so that the mechanism is shut tight until you want to open it (useful for storing presents as well!)Because the bed lifts to allow access to storage, make sure you have the height space in the room – i.e. there are no lights that will get hit.

This is from THE STORAGE BED online company – and I have chosen this as its my own bed – so I can persoanlly vouch for its ease of use, deep storage size, and choice of fabrics. I simply LOVE it! There are so many different options that you can really make the bed exactly what you want and need. Perfect!

This is a great bed – and I have it in my guest bedroom now (a new purchase as I loved our other so much!). Its a cost effective option, and we chose this as we didn’t need as much storage in this room – but its a relatively small room so made sense to create extra storage too. I particularly like the leather finish and the headboard looks really great in both traditional and contemporary designed rooms. (click on pciture for more details)

I have come across this bed on my searches for the best out there, and LOVE it for its multi uses! Not only is it a great storage bed, but it also has a TV mechanism so that can be hidden away when not watching as well – all you need is a fridge and a coffee maker and you wouldn’t have to leave!

This bed from John Lewis is simply stunning. It has a gorgeous feel to it and is available in 3 different colours. I love the fact that it looks good as well as being practical.

This is a Tempur bed and is available from Heals. I particularly love the high headboard as this would be stunning in a master bedroom.

Well, frankly – most bedrooms would benefit from a storage bed. It just makes sense really!

I love to use them in childrens rooms to store clothes and bulky toys that aren’t needed on a daily basis.

As already said, Master bedrooms and guest bedrooms work so well as they can always do with extra storage.

They work really well in flats as they maximise the space and minimise the need for other furniture.

I hope that this post has helped you with deciding on what bed would suit you, and whether a storage bed is the way forward for your bedroom! I think so, and wouldn’t choose another bed now – and I look forward to hearing your perspective on this – feel free to leave your reviews and opinions below….

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Tips to Get your Handbag and Purse Organised

I have too many handbags for one person!

I think thats the same for a lot of women out there….

Its not a problem really, apart from when I come to change over bags on a day to day basis. Remembering where everything is, and not forgetting anything is key to this being successful – and therefore I need to get organised about it!

Here are a few tips that have helped me – and I hope they do the same for you!

Firstly, take out everything and lay it out so that you can see exactly what you have.

Do this from ALL your bags so you start afresh with clean, empty bags!

Start by throwing away all obvious rubbish – I’m always amazed at how much collects in my bags during the day – I must stuff things in there without even realising half the time – no wonder my back hurts by the end of the day the amount I am carrying around!

Also throw away (cut up first) any credit or debit cards that are past their expiry dates.

One of the main sources of clutter in my bag and purse is receipts.

I purchase lots of things throughout the week, everything having its own receipt – and this builds up!

What works best for me is to keep all receipts I get in a compartment in my purse, and then on a weekly basis sort through and decide what I need to keep, and then transfer to the relevant place (for expenses for my business these go in my business folder, for clothes and items that I may need to return or have a warranty I put them in my home file, and for genuine rubbish I put in the shredding pile).

If you are a person who keeps all receipts to reconcile against your bank statement monthly, then simply transfer to a folder that you keep all receipts in, and purge monthly once reconciled.

Only keep in both your purse and your handbag whats absolutely vital – the last thing you want is to have to drag around half your possessions!

Be ruthless. If you think you need everything then try this exercise – write down everything in your bag and keep the list in there with a pen. Whenever you use something during a week then tick it off the list. Whatever you don’t use in a week probably isn’t that necessary!

Things can build up, and get heavy.

Loose change is one of the worse culprits. I like to keep a change jar in the kitchen and both myself and my husband empty pockets and purse/wallets of the majority of their change daily.

Its amazing how things build up – and I am constantly amazed that after a few months how much there is in there – perfect for a family treat!

TIP – keep some spare change in your car ready for unexpected car park charges or toll roads.

In your home file keep a record of the cards you have in your purse, and the relevant numbers to ring to cancel them – this will make the whole situation a lot more manageable if it happens.

Just as with your home, having a place for everything in your purse and handbag is vital to ensure that you have everything with you and can find things at a glance.

As I have business cards as well as personal cards, I find that it works really well to have a purse that has two main card sections in it – and I keep the cards in the same place every time – so its really easy to see if one is missing, and know what it is.

I try and buy handbags with small pockets in the lining that are good for keeping spare change, phones, hairbrush, makeup etc… in and keeping them out of the way of the main compartments. I have lost count of the amount of times that I have missed calls because my phone is SOMEWHERE in the main part of the bag – so frustrating!

There are products on the market that can help no end with this problem, and also are a god send in terms of when you swap bags a lot. They are Handbag Organisers (does exactly what it says on the tin in the words of ronseal!).They fit into your bag and have compartments for everything you would need – then you simply transfer the whole thing when you change bags. Pretty much eradicating anything getting missed! I would definitely give these a go – one word of caution is of course to check the size of the bag compared to your actual bag – you need to ensure it will fit inside, and that it will carry everything you need – but apart from that they are amazing! (click on the picture on the left for purchase details – or do your own search on amazon for Handbag Organisers)

So useful to have a small pad of paper and pen in your bag – for jotting down anything that springs to mind during the day including numbers, messages, websites etc….

I like to transfer all this information into the relevant place at the end of each day (or at least weekly) – i.e. diary, home file etc…. so I never lose information (or at least thats the aim!)

I always advise using different PIN numbers for every card you have – much more secure – but unless you have a great memory then this can get complicated, and its a complete NO GO to have a list of them in your purse!

The answer? I find that creating a name in my phone that I know relates to each card is a great way of doing it. The PIN can be part of the telephone number, but is not easy for people to find at all.

For example – a VISA card could be for Vera Isanda 01628 351 862, or a MASTERCARD could be for Mary Stern 01632 786 467. Keep the names and numbers in the same place for each and then it will be easy for you to translate!

Have something in your bag that you can do if you end up waiting in a queue or in a doctors surgery etc…. – articles you want to read, or a magazine that you subscribe to – this will ensure that you use this time to your best ability.

Just don’t weigh your bag down too much!

I find it useful to keep a copy of the TO BUY list from my Home File in my bag at all times, as then if I come across something I think we need, I can check on the list and can make an educated decision there and then rather than having to come back to the shop to purchase it or return it when I get it home and find it doesn’t work.

Include any required dimensions and details against each thing i.e. if you need a piece of furniture for a specific area in your home, write down the maximum dimensions it could be, the style you want etc…

i.e. Hallway Unit – Dark Wood – max height 80cm, max depth 25cm, max width 100cm / A new pair of jeans size 14 blue / artwork for above sofa – max 100cm square with red and gold in it but mostly cream.

These are all be things with no time limit – but are still wanted at some point (things with a time limit should be on your usual shopping list)

Only use handbags that you love and that you love using (same with purses) – otherwise donate them to charity as they take up a lot of space to store.

Your bag should work well for you, be comfortable, and work with your wardrobe and style.

Your handbag should be something that works for you – not against you. If you are constantly rummaging around in the bottom to try and find your phone / spare change / keys etc.. then its time to get it organised once and for all!

Theres nothing nicer than only carrying around what you absolutely need – being able to find it in an instant – and feeling organised as you go about your day. I hope that the tips given have helped you – and would love to hear about any tips you may have.

What do you find most annoying about an unorganised handbag / purse or wallet? …..

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How to Have a Hassle Free Morning!

When was the last time you remember your morning running smoothly?

Where there are no fights for the bathroom, no lost items to search for, no last minute nipping back into the house for something….. I could go on!

“MUM – I can’t find my PE Kit….”

“Honey, Where are my keys?”

“We’re going to be late…”

All commonly heard shouts heard in most family homes in the rush and frazzle of a school / work morning!

But it really doesn’t have to be this way.

Mornings could be oh so simple if you follow a few key tips, and I really hope that this helps you to get to wherever you need to be on time, with the right items, dressed correctly, and ready to get going!

Simple but effective. If you have breakfast thats suitable, set out things like bowls, plates, cutlery, cereal, bread for toast etc… ready to go in the morning so people can very easily help themselves. This will also stop you having mornings where theres no bread or milk and a dash to the shops is required (or worse – people go hungry).

Right down to the underwear – then you’ll be sure you have everything, and also have time to wash/iron/polish something if necessary. I like to hang everything on my wardrobe door.

Phone, keys, paperwork, purse, chequebook, diary, laptop etc…. – whatever you need to have to hand the following day – even things like your gym kit if you are going there after work – check its all packed ready to go.

TIP – have a list in your gym kit of everything you need to have in it so its easy to pack and see if anything is missing – and include a toiletries bag that is always ready to go as this saves so much time!

BE PREPARED! – know where you’re going, what time you need to leave etc… and work back from there as to when you need to get up (may be different every day).

Add into any spare time anything that you can from your TO DO list, and make the most of the time you do have. If you need to meet someone, then its also worth sending a text to ensure they have remembered as well to avoid a completely wasted few hours of travelling somewhere and waiting for them to turn up.

Make packed lunches and put in fridge ready for next day. If you work in an office then a great cheaper lunch is easy to have from leftovers of that nights meal – simply box up and put in fridge and then heat up at work.

TIP – freeze the drink as then it will be lovely and cool by lunch the next day, and will keep the lunch box chilled in the morning as well

You need to get yourself ready for the following day, so show everyone else what you expect of them, help them out a few times, and then leave them to do it themselves. This gives them great habits to follow through when they leave home as well.

Everyone needs to be responsible for themselves as much as possible. Get them to all sort their clothes, bags and schedules for the following day. Ensure children get more responsibility as they get older, and of course help younger children as they will then start to pick up these habits and want to do it themselves independently asap.

If you have someone in the family who is constantly making everyone late – make it a consequence that if they forget something then you aren’t going back. Having to deal with the consequences at school/work will soon make them more aware of what they have to do – its a good life skill!

If you constantly get things like permission slips, requests for baked goods for a fair, dress-up day costume requests etc… at the last minute then again its got to be their problem when they get to school empty handed – trust me – they won’t do it often after that!

TIP – any paperwork you do get, file into the right day in your diary or top up diary (see the upcoming paperwork ebook for more details) and then you won’t forget! And schedule a time to get the things done a few days before.

TIP – Get into the habit of getting your children to unload all their bag each day after school and handing you the paperwork.

TIP – get homework done at a set time each night – so that there are no last minute panics in the morning.

Give people jobs in the morning – someone to make drinks, to unload/load dishwasher, wash dishes, etc….

Start looking at the bathroom situation – which can be fraught in a family home. If you have just one bathroom its even more crucial to make this as easy as possible every morning.

Think about when people leave the house – and then schedule their bathroom time accordingly.

Give people a 10 minute limit

Make them wipe down the bathroom when they’ve finished

Make it quick for people to see where there stuff is, and whose is whose. Bathroom towels, hallway baskets etc… can all help – that way everyone knows whats what – and where to find everything each day – which leads me nicely onto….

The simplest way to stop losing things is to create places for everything in your home and to ALWAYS PUT THEM BACK THERE. Keys, coats, shoes, bags, sports kits, lunch boxes etc…..

Is it your hair that takes hours each morning? Why not look at ways to style it differently so that you can simply dry and go.Do your children really struggle to get out of bed each morning? Why not reward them for getting dressed early with a rewards chart – maybe on a Friday let them have breakfast watching TV for 10 mins or promise them a film night over the weekend etc…Don’t try and do everything in the morning. At a minimum all beds should be made and breakfast dishes sorted as this is just a nice thing to come home to, but if you are short of time in the morning, don’t  try and clean the house or do jobs that could wait until the evening – just do whats absolutely critical to that morning.

Work out the real sticking points specific to your morning, and tackle getting those sorted first.

Easy ways to be more organised is to simply give yourself more time each morning.

What about waking up 15 mins earlier so that you have time to get ready before the rest of the house wakes up. This would also help with bathroom queues, and you can be more focussed on getting the rest of the family ready once you are completely sorted.

AND

Give some time for unexpected issues that will always arise. Make sure you aim to be ready 10 mins before you actually need to leave the house, and then you are much more likely to get out on time.

Theres nothing worse than frayed tempers first thing in the morning, and avoiding getting stressed can help so much. If theres time could you do even just 10 mins of exercise? This will really set you up for the day! If you have to be in the house then some weights, situps, press-ups etc… work really well, but if you can get out of the house then a walk or a quick run are perfect. Even walking the kids to school will work well (park a little further away if you really do have to drive) as giving them fresh air in the morning will help them too.

Above all, stay calm and this will immediately help your morning to be less frazzled.

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