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Organizing Tip: Create Zones In Your Home

012109zone-01.jpgLack of space planning can cause any organizing endeavor to head south. Your space requires specific zones (which essentially means grouping items together that serve a particular purpose). We've got some tips on creating zones to keep your life organized after the jump.

 
 
  • You'll first want to track your habits when creating zones. If you always drop your laptop bag, keys and sunglasses at the same spot, figure out a way to make that area the incoming/outgoing zone. You'll want to keep things that are handy in this area (for example; dog leash, stamps, spare change, mailing labels, umbrella, etc.). You should also name your zones to make it more effective.
  • Another zone in the house might be called the long-term storage zone. You'll want to have items stored in this area that you don't use as often (2-4 times a year). Bulkier and heavier items toward the floor with smaller items contained in labeled boxes.
  • Other zones you might want to create are craft zones, bill paying zones and work zones. Again, you'll want to track your habits and determine where you perform these activities and how often. If you find yourself using your laptop on the couch, make an ottoman perform double duty and store office supplies inside. If you craft at the kitchen table, section off an area of the kitchen cabinet to store necessities.
  • Visually, you can create a zone in your space by painting the specific area a bold color. The new color will define the space and make your zone the focal point.

Do you have zones in your home? What defines your organized zone and what do you call the specific area?

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[Image from paola+titi]

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Comments (7)

Um, that's the fattest cat I've ever seen. I almost didn't notice him! Too cute.

Oh, and the space looks nice, too. :-)

posted by bookgirl on January 21st 2009 at 7:07pm
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Did the cat eat the teapot?

I love zones. Zones help keep you sane.


http://embritadesign.blogspot.com

posted by EmmieB on January 21st 2009 at 8:16pm
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where are those credenza's from????

posted by rosiewm on January 21st 2009 at 9:08pm
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This seems rather obvious. I call my food preparation zone "the kitchen".

posted by Palmetto on January 21st 2009 at 10:29pm
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The colorful rug with the circles -- can anyone please identify it? I love it; I've been looking for an inexpensive but cute rug with color and circles...

posted by jplee on January 21st 2009 at 10:49pm
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And, the sleeping zone? Bedroom.

posted by oakjo on January 22nd 2009 at 12:54am
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Hey don't insult my cat!! she doesn't eat teapot... only because it don't enter in her mouth!!
"credenza" is by Porro design Piero Lissoni
http://www.porro.com/ita/designer_din.php?idz=8

posted by paola titi on January 22nd 2009 at 11:34am
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