Charlotte expert says make organizing an art

When the azaleas bloom and dress up our homes outside, we can’t help but want the interior to be just as inviting and eye-catching. When that feeling comes, we’re shaking off the blahs.

“Although it’s always a great time to purge, springtime is naturally motivating and energy liberating,” said Amy Whidden of The Chaos Authority in Fort Mill, S.C. “The days are longer and warmer, a sense of newness inspires us, and errands seem more enjoyable to run.”

So why is it most of us dread the task of dusting off and polishing our homes now and then? Probably because we’re going about it the wrong way, biting off more than we can manage at one time.

“Just pick a spot, any spot, and begin. But do so in manageable, enjoyable stages,” said Whidden. “With each space, begin with clearing, then move to sorting, then to purging, and then to resetting.”

That doesn’t mean sweeping items from one room into the next – one of the most common mistakes made during the process.

Whidden recommends thinking in terms of best, immediate use, or what she refers to as BIU. If you need it, keep it. If you’re struggling to find a place for it, maybe it’s time to part ways.

“This is to say, if you’re not immediately using something, perhaps it’s best immediate use is as a charitable donation,” she said.

Once you know what you want to keep, there’s no need to keep your things in a jumble. Here are a few clever ideas for storage and display.

Versatility in motion

Give small spaces more functionality with storage options that can serve multiple purposes in multiple areas of the home. CB2’s Adorn Floor Screen has as many uses as it does metal petals to hold onto things that can make a home look untidy. Use the screen to make storage space for jackets and hats in a home that lacks a coat closet. In a bedroom or walk-in closet, adorn the screen with a week’s worth of wardrobe changes to help you manage the morning rush. Cover it with art to create a little privacy between roommates. $211 at CB2.com.

Keep what you need nearby. “When it comes to storage, accessibility is paramount,” said Whidden. If it’s something you use most days, store it within easy reach. With plenty of drawers, cubbies, bookshelves, and even a pull-down desktop, Restoration Hardware’s Richards Trunk Secretary can store all sorts of items in a leather and canvas steamer trunk. The secretary is easy to open and move about, thanks to wheels along the bottom. $4,695 at restorationhardware.com.

A hidden surprise

Sometimes an ottoman isn’t just an ottoman. Those that can store your stuff and serve as a place for sitting are great. Those that can play your music while you organize are even better. Hokku Designs’ Reverb Cube Ottoman with Bluetooth Speakers serves all three purposes. $185 at wayfair.com.

The corners in most rooms serve little purpose. CB2’s Corner Hanging Bar serves well in a nursery to hang blankets nearby or in the family room to organize quilts and throws. The bar measures 45 inches. $40 at CB2.com.

Sticking together

Experts will tell you to keep like items together when organizing. That includes sports gear for your children. Prevent the mad dash before practice to find sticks, clubs and bats with a Stick Storage rack. With 15 slots, it can hold a team’s worth of hockey or lacrosse sticks, golf clubs, cricket bats and tennis rackets. Only 9 inches wide, it fits tight squeezes in mudrooms, garages or hallways. Gardeners also can use the rack for storing rakes, hoes and other tools. $119 at stickstorage.com.

We often forget that our walls are useful for storage, too. In the office, that’s a big deal. Keep the clutter off your desk with the Urbio Magnetic Modular System Components. Just mount the metal plate, then mix and match accessories, which range from cups for storing pencils to wide bins that keep magazines nearby. $15-$35 at containerstore.com.

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Charlotte expert says make organizing an art."