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Post by mrsmess on Jun 24, 2010 21:06:58 GMT -5
I am relieved to read that I am not alone with this problem!
Sometimes, quite often actually I find myself wandering the house in circles with something in my hands and no idea where to put it! It makes my head spin especially if I am trying to do some quick tidying up, because what is meant to be quick turns my brain into sludge.
I have read the answers here and going to use them too.
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Post by eagle on Jun 24, 2010 21:24:30 GMT -5
Pam, I would suggest a tool box for the tools. If he doesn't have one, it might be a nice gift. It can be a hard tool box (like metal or plastic) or it can be a soft tool box, which are available made of canvas. That would make putting your husband's tools away easier.
As to where the tool box would live, I'd say in the same room in which he works on those electronics. If he works on them in the garage, it would live there. If he has a specific area for working on them, that makes it easier. IF he doesn't have a specific spot, or the spot is the dining room table when you're not eating dinner, that makes it more difficult, of course.
For the bits and parts of the electronics, I think your cardboard box idea is just fine. You could label it "Electronics Parts" and put it in the location where he does work on those.
Other ideas of where things can be homed: Shoes: closet floor or shoe rack (or in some homes, near the front door because no-one is allowed to wear shoes on the carpet). Coats: coat closet, if you have one; if not, bedroom closet of the person whose coat it is. Keys: keep them in the car if your car is in a locked garage (they never get misplaced if they are always in the car); or the key rack or container near the door as others have suggested. Laundry supplies: in the laundry room if you have one; if not, in a cleaning closet with a laundry basket for when you go to the laundromat Items used in the bathroom: Keep in the bathroom: cleaning supplies, bath soap, t.p., hair & beauty products, towels, etc. If you have sufficient storage in the bathroom, keep as many of the extra stuff there. If not, keep some of it in ONE other logical spot, like the linen closet, if you have one. Or perhaps the laundry room. Items used in the kitchen: Keep in the kitchen, near the part of the kitchen where you actually use it. Example: Spices near stove if you tend to add spices while cooking. Pots and pans near the stove. Kitchen towels near the sink. Dinnerware: Keep near where you eat. For example, we eat in the dining room, so we keep our dinnerware and silverware in the dining room. This makes setting the table much easier than having to go into the kitchen to get those things. I also keep tablecloths and napkins in the dining room. If you eat in the kitchen, that is where you would keep them. If you eat in both rooms, you can keep some in both places. Books: In bookcases, if they are not currently being read. Near the chair or bed where they are normally read if a book is 'in process of being read.' Office supplies: where they are frequently used. If you don't have a dedicated home office, but have a specific spot you use as a desk (for paying bills, correspondance, etc), keep them near that spot. In a drawer if one drawer will handle it; or more if you have more. Those are just some ideas.
IF you find you don't have enough space to put everything, you may have too many things and need to pare down. For example, if all of your shoes won't fit in the designated spot, then you have too many shoes. Get rid of some. (I know. I have dealt with this for my shoes.) If all of your clothes won't fit into your closet and dresser drawers, then you probably have too many clothes. Don't use my husband's excuse, 'We don't have enough storage space." Unless you have NO closet and NO dresser drawers and NO armoire, you probably do have enough storage space for your clothes. Get rid of some of them.
Try your best to make the possessions fit into your space. If they don't, reconsider the amount of stuff you have. You may just have too much stuff. Now, true, some folks actually live in very small spaces and don't have a lot of storage. But if you chose to live in a small space, then you really need to commit to reducing the amount of things you keep.
When my brother moved onto a boat, he got rid of almost everything he owned. He DID NOT try to cram a houseful of stuff onto a 30 foot boat. If he had, it would have sunk. I am afraid that is what a lot of us have been trying to do.
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arkypam
New Member
Joined: April 2010
Posts: 6
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Post by arkypam on Jun 27, 2010 6:48:37 GMT -5
Thanks for all of great ideas. What helps the most, of course, is just knowing I'm not alone in my issues. Another problem I have is really believing that "baby steps" will make a difference. But. . .I'll try. Thanks again, folks.
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Jun 27, 2010 15:17:30 GMT -5
Keep trying and revising until you find what works.
I found it very helpful to keep a supply of plastic containers suitable for random stuff: transparent show boxes, small laundry baskets, bowls, etc, sitting around the house. If I don't know where to put something, I put it in a container. When all the containers look full, I'm trying to find something, or I'm feeling industrious, I sort through them and find proper home for the items.
This system is sooo helpful to me for several reasons:
I can relocate the containers in a hurry, if I need to do a "stash and dash."
I can carry the containers to another area, to sort or put away their contents.
Even when they're overflowing, they look better than a pile of random items.
I can use the containers in drawers, cupboards, shelves, etc. Nearly everything I have in these areas is in a container. Easier to reach, shelves/drawers stay cleaner, etc.
When I notice containers piling up in an area, I know I need to find better storage furniture, or pare down my possessions.
I just love the flexibility of this system--it's made such a difference for me.
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