Spring cleaning your garage doesn’t have to be painful. Like the rest of your house, it’s a matter of planning and keeping in mind these helpful tips courtesy of Closets by Design.

1. Reclaim the garage floor – The trick is to use the space on the garage walls to your advantage. Toys such as golf clubs, tennis rackets and skates can be stored along the walls, while bikes can be hung on hooks from the ceiling. Rakes, shovels and other yard supplies can also be easily organized on an interior wall. Using this space wisely will not only help you to increase your storage space but make items easily accessible.

2. Cut the clutter – It’s amazing how many “things” you acquire over the years, and finding a place for each one is not always possible, or necessary. It’s important to discard items you no longer want or need. Sort through all of your tools and home maintenance supplies, and separate items into those you can sell, donate, throw away or recycle. If you haven’t used it in a year, you can probably get rid of it.

3. Sort and label – It’s not enough to simply get organized. The real test is to stay organized. Labeling boxes and containers eliminates the frustration of rummaging through all of your belongings to find one specific item. Put similar items into categories (i.e. tools, holiday decorations, etc.) so you will be able to maintain an efficient organizational system.

4. Safety first – Since you’re already sorting items, be sure to keep potentially hazardous chemicals together and locked. It’s best to use a lockable tool chest or cabinet for extra caution. Also, make sure that any power tools with an on/off switch are stored securely out of children’s reach.

5. Increase storage with sturdy cabinets and shelving – Because paint cans, tools and other bulky items will be stored in the garage, it’s important that cabinets and shelving are sturdy enough to support the extra weight. Not all cabinets are built the same and it’s important that you understand the construction behind your cabinet and the weight limitations. A proper storage solution can organize your items and keep them out of site. An important note when purchasing garage cabinets – make sure the doors will open when your car is parked in the garage.

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Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a reputation as the nation’s leader in the closet organizing and storage remodeling industry. The company offers customers comprehensive solutions to all their organizational needs in a short and simple process by designing, building and installing custom home offices, closets, garage cabinets, wall units, laundries, pantries, wardrobe mirror doors and other home organization systems. Closets by Design offers a wide selection of finishes, accessories and hardware. There are currently 33 locations serving major markets across the country. To schedule a FREE in-home consultation, please visit www.closetsbydesign.com or call 800-293-3744.

To honor its worthy mission, I would like to recommend Catalog Choice, a free service that lets you reduce unwanted mail and choose how you hear from brands. Catalog Choice was started by three environmental groups – the Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Federation and the Ecology Center, which runs Berkeley, California’s curbside recycling program – with the goal of reducing the negative impact on our natural resources caused by the mass mailing of catalogs.

Catalog Choice contacts companies on your behalf and lets them know that you want to cut back on the frequency with which to receive catalogs or stop the mailings completely. Please keep in mind that it can take up to 12 weeks for the changes to take effect. To show that Catalog Choice has nothing against free enterprise, you can find links on its website to all the catalog merchants, which allows you to shop online after asking that your name be taken off a company’s mailing list.

So, if you have no need for paper phonebooks, want to opt out of receiving paper catalogs, stop preapproved credit offers at home or unwanted mail at the office, register with Catalog Choice now.

One organizing challenge I routinely encounter when working with clients with children is that the parents don’t know how or where to store the mountains of arts and crafts their children produce. Fortunately, I can help solve that problem by recommending Tara Sroka Designs.

Tara will design a unique scrapbook for your child using digital photos you take of their artwork or projects. (I suggest letting your children help to decide which items to include in their book.) It’s a great way to save the memories without holding on to every object and having them end up as just so much clutter. Your children will be thrilled when they see their scrapbook and so will you! Order multiple copies for grandparents and others to have as a special gift.

Another dilemma I come across in clients’ homes is what to do when they have a lot of sentimental clutter. Sound familiar? If you’re the recipient of too many family heirlooms and are feeling overwhelmed by them, take photos of the ones you don’t want to keep and then let them go. Tara can create a memory book from the pictures and the objects will always be available for viewing and reminiscing without creating clutter or taking up a lot of valuable space.

Tara makes preserving, sharing and enjoying the memories from any occasion easy and affordable. She’ll help you to tell the special story of your wedding, vacation, graduation, child’s first day at school or any other event you want to commemorate. During the creative process, Tara will keep in close contact with you to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. The end result of your collaboration with

Tara Sroka Designs will be a beautiful, professionally printed and bound keepsake book.

Future generations of your family will thank you for preserving your memories and their heritage!

Spring is finally here.  It’s time to switch your closets from winter to spring wardrobes.   Proper handling and maintenance of your off-season garments is critical as it can extend the life of certain pieces by several years. Therefore, the wardrobe storage experts at Garde Robe created this introductory summary to help you.

• Always make sure garments are properly cleaned prior to storing them for an extended period of time.  Even if the garment looks clean, if it has been worn it may have bacteria and or body oils that will damage the fabric if left untreated for several months.  You should always remove your dry cleaner’s clear plastic bags immediately as these bags trap gasses that can cause discoloration and don’t allow the garment to breathe properly.

• Purchase and use the proper storage supplies.  Acid-free tissue, breathable garment bags and canvas boxes are inexpensive and vital to maintaining a garment’s pristine condition.  Boot trees and toe shapers for footwear and appropriate hangers are also highly recommended.

• Proper storage conditions and ventilation is essential.  Garments should not be subjected to dust, sunlight, humidity or drastic changes in temperature, so basements and attics are not recommended in most cases.  Proper spacing between garments must also be taken into account – never crowd garments into a small area in the back of the closet because they need to breathe.  Be extra cautious when storing leather and suede as these fabrics can bleed into one another – use acid-free tissue to separate these garments.  Never store furs at home as they must be stored in special cold storage units.  Always use a reputable furrier and have the fur revitalized as needed.

• Fold all knits with acid-free tissue to avoid creasing the individual fibers and place them in a breathable box with the heaviest ones on the bottom.  Material damaging insects such as moths will be attracted to cashmere and other natural fibers, especially if bacteria are present.  Placing cedar and lavender sachets in the boxes works as a deterrent and is far more pleasant than moth balls.  However, the sachets often contain oils so be cautious to avoid direct contact between the sachets and garments.  Heavily beaded garments should also be folded with tissue and not hung in most cases.

• Hanging garments require proper hangers and breathable garment bags.  Hanger selection should take into account the type of garment and its weight.  Heavy garments such as winter coats should be stored on strong, padded hangers.  In most cases, pants and slacks should be hung from the hem or cuffs to avoid creasing.  Take advantage of a garment’s support straps or loops to avoid stretching.

Named “Best Secret Service” by New York magazine, Garde Robe is the first and only luxury wardrobe storage and valet service.  Ideal for city residents with extensive clothing and footwear collections and/or inadequate closet space, Garde Robe provides climate-controlled luxury storage for off-season or infrequently worn clothing, shoes and accessories, professional photography and online wardrobe catalogs, complimentary same-day pick up and delivery, luggage-packing and shipping services, and more.

www.garderobeonline.com – (212) 255-3163

If there’s anything that makes a Professional Organizer happy, it’s having a happy, thankful client. This client  of mine expressed herself in such a charming, heartfelt way that reading her email about how much she loved her new calm, organized closet more than made my day.

Most women I know love shoes, but shoes can be some of the most difficult items to make easily accessible in a closet, especially if you have a lot of them. To maximize the available space, we used two different types of shoe organizers. One was a floor-to-ceiling wall mounted Elfa system (pictured above) installed on an inside wall of the walk-in closet and the other was a 30-pair over-the-door shoe organizer (pictured left) installed on the inside of the door. These two space saving items allowed my client to neatly and efficiently store several dozen pairs of shoes and have easy access to them.

But  keep in mind that shoe bags aren’t just for shoes anymore. Over-the-door style shoe bags with clear pockets (pictured below) are some of the most creative and versatile organizing containers I know. They’re inexpensive, hold up well to abuse and work almost anywhere you’ve got a wall or a door. The clear pockets let you quickly see what’s inside each one and clean up easily with just a wipe of a damp cloth or sponge. Keep your socks and pantyhose in the pockets and you’ll make getting your feet dressed in the morning a snap! They’re also great for storing rolled belts, scarves and other accessories.

People often complain that they don’t have enough closet space in their homes. The truth really is that most homes aren’t closet poor, they simply have poorly organized closets. By creatively and effectively using all the available closet space you have and the right storage products, you can make getting dressed and out the door in the morning a breeze!

Shoe organizers are available at the Container Store.

]]> http://millerorganizing.com/blog/2010/03/06/i-sometimes-go-in-my-closet-shut-the-door-and-sit-down-on-the-floor-because-it%e2%80%99s-so-amazing/feed/ 0 http://millerorganizing.com/blog/2010/01/24/new-york-public-library-clutter-support-group/ http://millerorganizing.com/blog/2010/01/24/new-york-public-library-clutter-support-group/#comments Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:00:03 +0000 A. J. http://millerorganizing.com/blog/?p=659

Do you feel overwhelmed by the possessions, paper and piles that have taken over your life and space? Don’t know how or where to start to make changes? You’re not alone.

The New York Public Library (NYPL) is pleased to announce the formation of a free, educational support group for individuals who are struggling with clutter and disorganization. The NYPL Clutter Support Group will be a member-based group facilitated by organizing expert A. J. Miller. It will meet on an ongoing basis to address clutter and disorganization related issues and offer support, information, tips and techniques to combat clutter and become better organized.

The NYPL Clutter Support Group is open to people of all ages with any degree of disorganization. Whether you’ve had a life long struggle with being organized or your problem is more recent; whether you’re just a little overloaded, a hoarder, have ADHD or are living with someone who is one of these, please join us.

We look forward to seeing you at our introductory meeting on February 4, 2009 from 6:00 – 6:45PM at The New York Public Library, Grand Central Branch, 135 E. 46th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues.

If you – or any woman you know – is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, the Cleaning for a Reason Foundation (C4R) provides FREE housecleaning and maid services one time a month for four months while you’re in treatment. C4R believes that “fighting cancer is difficult enough, but living with it is even tougher.” Because they want to make sure that you have “one less thing to worry about”, they’ve partnered with professional, residential cleaning companies who are successful enough to be in a position to offer their services for free to those in need their communities.

C4R partners carry insurance, bonding and do criminal background checks. All you have to do is go to the C4R website, sign up and have your doctor fax them a note confirming your treatment. C4R will have a participating maid service in your zip code area arrange for the service.

Click here to see what Oprah has to say about C4R.

To help support or make an “In Memory of” Donation to C4R, please click here.

Here’s what InStyle Magazine had to say in their November 2009 issue about My Style Fashion Assistant, an app for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch.

“Macworld.com’s App Guide reviews more than 73,000 iPhone apps now available to download on iTunes. We’ve combed through them to find the best ones for shopping, saving and amping up your style.

We love this app, which acts as your very own stylist. It keeps track of what you have, what you wear, what you want, and it allows you to mix and match it all. It even helps you plan for trips – it’s the ultimate fashion organizer!”

Features include:

* Take Pictures Of Your Clothing, Shoes, Accessories & Bags
* Add Items To Your Closet Or Personal Fitting Room
* Mix-&-Match Items With The Revolutionary 3-Panel Slider
* Create Outfits For Every Occasion
* Window Shop Online
* Item & Outfit Calendars
* Get Fashion Feedback From Friends
* Take Your Wardrobe With You Everywhere
* Organize Outfits In Specific Lifestyle Categories
* Plan For That Upcoming Trip, Event Or Special Occasion
* Get Expert Fashion Tips
* Receive Savings From My Style Retail Partners

If you’ve ever stood in front of your jam-packed closets wondering what to wear or bought the same item multiple times because you couldn’t find the original one, this app is for you. Save money and reduce the clutter in your closets by making the most out of your wardrobe with My Style Fashion Assistant. You’ll never had to say “I don’t have anything to wear!” again.

If you don’t already know about RetailMeNot.com, trust me, you’ll want to. RetailMeNot provides 400,000 online and printable discounts for 100,000 retailers and manufacturers; more than all the other top coupon sites combined. I have personally used them and been very pleased by the money that I’ve saved. Here’s a sampling of the companies they offer discounts for:

• Barnes and Noble
• Amazon
• J. C. Penney
• Papa John’s Pizza
• Victoria’s Secret
• L. L. Bean
• Toys r Us
• Babies R Us
• Bloomingdale’s
• The Limited
• Drugstore.com
• Kohl’s
• Target
• Gap
• Urban Outfitters
• 1-800-Flowers.com
• Old Navy
• Macy’s
• Walmart
• Pizza Hut
• Sears
• Bath and Body Works
• Best Buy
• Domino’s Pizza
• Go Daddy
• Turbo Tax
• Walgreen’s
• Zale’s
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Home Depot
• Blockbuster

Need I say more?

There are a few classic designs that most people don’t know about which cause them to want to break their budget when they discover them. Every client I have introduced Vitsoe shelving to has wanted to use it, even after they realized how expensive it was. Most of them were able to jigger their budget to pull it off. The rest? Waiting.

Vitsoe opened their first ever US showroom in NYC last month, which makes it easier to find, price and buy. It is expensive, but you can buy pieces slowly to build your system and you can always take it with you, since it will mount on to any wall and can be rearranged in nearly any configuration. It can be shelves, file cabinets, drawers and/or desk; you choose. Oh, and they also say they’re working on bringing the price down.