Lack 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?

Related Organizing Posts

• 5 Tricks To Make A Small Space Seem Bigger
  
• 5 Tips For Arranging Your Studio Apartment
  
• Bryan's Zones of Light
  

[Image from paola+titi]