How often are we crossing the whole length of the apartment for the same things, again and again? Make life easier on yourself. It's perfectly cool to have three pairs of scissors if they're regularly used in three different rooms. (Thanks, Fay!!)
"Here are some other tips on how to organize around your routine (and we'd love to hear what you do in the comments!): Find yourself often wanting to write things down while watching TV? Store a pen and notebook next to the couch. Mail letters on-the-go? Throw some stamps in the glove compartment. Use a designated hook or bowl for your keys - right near the door. Keep reusable shopping bags and a gym bag in the car trunk. Put that guitar you've been wanting to practice out on a stand in a conspicuous place. (It won't get practiced in its case in the closet.) Store things where you use them - or want to start using them! Organization isn't about rigidity and perfection. It's about ease and clarity. Small steps add up. And sometimes, it's not about the clutter - it's about having things exactly where you need them." - Fay
• The Star: Fay Wolf is a singer-songwriter, actor and professional organizer. She's acted on shows like 2 Broke Girls and Bones, and her songs have been heard on shows like Grey's Anatomy and Pretty Little Liars. Fay's Los Angeles-based company New Order has been organizing lives since 2006, helping creative people deal with both inner and outer clutter. She coaches in-person, by phone, and in group workshops. Learn more via FayWolf.com and follow her on Twitter @faywolf!
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MORE FAY WOLF ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• One Minute Tip: How to Organize T-Shirts
• One Minute Tip: Three Ways to Use Vertical Space
• One Minute Tip: Just Start
• One Minute Tip: Two Ways to Give Things Away
• Introducing: Fay Wolf!
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Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
Very good points. I just hope that's Fay's own personal almond butter.
I love Fay! She has a great voice, a delightful smile, and sensible tips. More Fay please!
This reminds me of my own favorite organizing tip: put things in the first place you'll think of when looking for them. For example, I stopped putting silver polish in the cabinet with the cleaners when I realized I always looked for it first in the drawer where I keep my silver earrings. It's resulted in some quirky storage decisions, but it's cut way down on the time I spend searching for things.
Keep posting Fay, love ya. Great tip.
I have 2 pairs of scissors in the kitchen: 1 in the knife block used only on food items (on the right end of the counter) and one in pen/pencil keeper near the phone ( left end of counter. Keeps the stuff they cut organized, too.
She's my favorite!
I keep plain wrapping paper along with tape and scissors in my car. This helps for last minute gifts and save me from buying yet another roll of tape.
A few years back, Fine Homebuilding magazine ran an article on kitchen design and they cited a Cornell Kitchen Study from the 50's. It emphasized placing the most used items close at hand in the areas you use them. It said the typical kitchen places items by function in distinct places (all the plates here, all the glassware here, all the pots here, etc.), while neat, was workload heavy.
I took that to heart and did a few things, the first of which was PURGE!. I had no idea I had three can openers. Now all my stove cooking utensils are next to the stove. Plates and glasses for two above the serving counter, etc. It made my work in the kitchen so much neater and easier.
Now, if I could only do that on my desk...
Awesome tip! simple but makes alot of sense.
I radically disagree with having multiples of anything except clothes and food. For example: I have significantly simplified by not having a "convenient" trash can in every room when walking to the single trash can made my life easier, gave me a bit more exercise and meant one less thing to move when floor cleaning and many less steps when taking out the trash AND makes me much more aware of how much trash I make.
Put the items in the most frequently used spot, but avoid multiples. Not for everyone.
I'm a big fan of multiples where it makes sense but not for expensive stuff. I have a trash bin in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and one in the sewing room. Each fills at a different rate and/or has a different priority for emptying. All came from the thrift shop. I have various kits that may contain duplicates but make it easier to just grab the sock darning bag, the embroidery bag, mending bag or whatever and be sure you have everything you need (and only what you need) to get the job done when you head outside or are on the bus or ferry. I used to switch items between bags and packs but now I keep each one fully equipped for the purpose, ready to go at a moment's notice. Swimming bag, day pack for simple outings, larger pack for groceries, library return bag, etc. I keep a pair of old reading glasses and a few other essentials in each one. Not costly and well worth it for the reduction in frustration from forgetting something.