“A place for everything, and everything in its place.”

Ronni

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
I know it’s such a cliched, hackneyed saying in this day and age, but I’m a dedicated follower of the rule of a place for everything.

Doesn’t matter whether I get something new for the kitchen, another pair of shoes, create extra files in the office, or score some thrifted items I want to repurpose, a place is either quickly established for them, or they’re integrated into an already existing location.

If you create a place for whatever you own, then putting things away isn’t a chore ….you don’t have to spend time figuring out where to put things. It follows that if everything has a place, you won’t accumulate clutter.

As an organizer this is a foundational rule as I work with clients. Find a place for everything. If we can’t find a place for things, then we discard less needed items to fit the new ones in. That’s typically the step that’s missing, the discarding of unused or no longer needed stuff.

People find it difficult to let things go which is one of the ways that clutter develops. The other way is that there’s no space to neatly store what you have. In both cases, belongings start piling up, creating clutter.

Once I get things organized for a client I suggest a variety of tips and tricks to them to upkeep the system(s) I put in place.
 

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I'm not very good at my organizing these days....used to be but
now, what the heck, just don't have room to store thing in this
tiny house, but every so often the urge strikes me and I throw
a bunch of junk out or hide it away......
 

For much of the past, I was sort of a clutter bug. But in recent years I have started organizing with labeled spaces for items. This is due in large part to avoid frustration in not finding things. My basement has never been as clean and organized as it is now.

And yes, to clean and organize, getting rid of unused items is key.
 
That Lady in PA said:
Yep... one of the things I raised my kids saying also.
Side benefit: nothing is ever lost or misplaced, as you know exactly where it is!
Another side benefit: no need for a junk drawer.

One-in, one-out is another "cliché" I live by at this stage of life.
Click to expand...

Yes to all of that, except the fact that I do have a junk drawer in my kitchen. …. not filled with’junk’, but extra scissors, small tools and odd bx. of nails, etc.

I am forced to keep an organized place. …. my apartment is small, and would become a bad sight if things were thrown around.
And it’s nice to know where everything is.

We get a yearly ‘check-up’ by apartment housekeeping crew … it is mainly a safety check, and I welcome the routine.
 
Ronni said:
I know it’s such a cliched, hackneyed saying in this day and age, but I’m a dedicated follower of the rule of a place for everything.

Doesn’t matter whether I get something new for the kitchen, another pair of shoes, create extra files in the office, or score some thrifted items I want to repurpose, a place is either quickly established for them, or they’re integrated into an already existing location.

If you create a place for whatever you own, then putting things away isn’t a chore ….you don’t have to spend time figuring out where to put things. It follows that if everything has a place, you won’t accumulate clutter.

As an organizer this is a foundational rule as I work with clients. Find a place for everything. If we can’t find a place for things, then we discard less needed items to fit the new ones in. That’s typically the step that’s missing, the discarding of unused or no longer needed stuff.

People find it difficult to let things go which is one of the ways that clutter develops. The other way is that there’s no space to neatly store what you have. In both cases, belongings start piling up, creating clutter.

Once I get things organized for a client I suggest a variety of tips and tricks to them to upkeep the system(s) I put in place.
Click to expand...
I love this way of living and would do it throughout, but my husband is a bit of a hoarder, which has caused some friction over our 35 years. I love the man with my whole being, but man the clutter thing is tough. Though he has really be trying in the last decade and I appreciate that.

For a couple years, my husband was managing a facility in VA and we were housed in a residence hotel for four months at a time. While there we had only what we'd packed so I was able to keep our little suite absolutely immaculate and well organized the entire time. I freaking loved it and my husband admitted, which I thought was growth for him, that he could see the benefits of having less stuff.

Nowadays he tries not to bring home things we don't need and also not to leave things lying around after using them, although that's still difficult for him. I appreciate his trying and accept him like he accepts me. But I loved those hotel stays!

EDIT: Spelling error.
 
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I'm definitely that way and won't bend. A place for everything, even if I have to measure and line it up to set it on a table so it looks centered. Pillows, towels all even. Blinds all the same distance from the window sill.. etc etc.,
 
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Yeah....NO! :LOL: It's funny....I absolutely follow that rule one half the time. Certain things must be in their proper place. Other items, not so much. I greatly admire you and anyone else who keeps everything in good order.
 
Medusa said:
I love this way of living and would do it throughout, but my husband is a bit of a hoarder, which has caused some friction over our 35 years. I love the man with my whole being, but man the clutter thing is tough. Though he has really be trying in the last decade and I appreciate that.

For a couple years, my husband was managing a facility in VA and we were housed in a residence hotel for four months at a time. While there we had only what we'd packed so I was able to keep our little suite absolutely immaculate and well organized the entire time. I freaking loved it and my husband admitted, which I thought was growth for him, that he could see the benefits of having less stuff.

Nowadays he tries not to bring home things we don't need and also not to leave things lying around after using them, although that's still difficult for him. I appreciate his trying and accept him like he accepts me. But I loved those hotel stays!

EDIT: Spelling error.
Click to expand...
Exactly the same here. I'm a bit of a neat freak, DH is a bit of a hoarder. We've made it work for 47 years (today).
It has caused friction but one day I declared it was not worth it. He has his own room. We told our adult children that "Mommy and Daddy still love each other but we need our own space" 😁
His room, office, garage and shed I leave alone. He uses the sunroom for gardening but we both clean it up for company. The rest of the house I keep neat and tidy.
I know where all my things are. He has purchased things he already owns but has no idea where they are. 🙄
 
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That Lady in PA said:
One-in, one-out is another "cliché" I live by at this stage of life.
Click to expand...
I’m generally the same. Not always an equal 1 for 1, but when I notice an area becoming crowded, I’ll purge.

Our closet is a good example. It’s never overcrowded, but when I realize I have no more free hangers, it’s time to purge. I’ll end up with an abundance of free hangers after purging, which over time will slowly get used as I accumulate more clothing items

Clients give me stuff, I’m not a compulsive clothes buyer though with menopause/weight fluctuations/body changes I’ve had to purchase more than Once typically would.

Same for my clothes drawers..when it becomes difficult to fit items, it’s time for a sort and purge.
 
@hawkdon and @fuzzybuddy. A basic mantra with clients is that I can organize any space, whether they’re minimally used or way overstuffed. BUT an overstuffed space won’t STAY organized without daily maintenance because it’s not possible to develop an organizational system around too much stuff.

As the point of organizing is to create a system that enables easy access and minimal upkeep, trying to organize with too much stuff is basically shooting yourself in the foot.

The most difficult thing I run into is a client’s resistance to purge. Typically though that resistance is more about the decision making aspect than any actual unwillingness. My job then becomes asking the appropriate questions. How long has it been since you’ve used it? Is it a sentimental item? How much would it cost to replace if you find you need it after it’s gone? Etc.

For clothing its things like Does it fit? Does it need to be altered? Is this something you’re holding onto till you can find the exact right item (I call these Placeholders and every client I’ve ever dealt with has these in his/her closet) You have x amount of shirts/pants/whatever almost exactly the same…why?

It’s very fulfilling to see the purge pipe grow and the clients relief at finally being able to make some progress.
 

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