Small Stages of Decluttering: STEP FIVE

STEP FIVE is the stage of decluttering when we deal with our Belongs Elsewhere pile. We've already dealt with the quick fixes in this pile as we cleaned each section of the room.

We've hung the jacket back up on the coat closet. We've taken the dirty clothing and deposited it in the laundry basket. The dirty bowls used for ice cream have found their way out of the family room and into the dishwasher.

Now it's time to deal with the not-so-quick fixes.

Let's be sure we understand what should not be in it. This is not where we should find holiday decorations, clothes for children to grow into, seasonal clothing and other yearly items. Those items would belong in the Store pile.

The Belongs Elsewhere pile should contain items that don't belong in the room you just decluttered, but that don't belong in storage. They are items that are still needed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. They need a home with easy access. But where is that home?

Our goal is for every item to have a home because homeless items waste our energy. They are hard to put your hand on. Every item needs a home. Our job is to find that home!

A few points to consider as we complete this task:

1. Items should be located near where they are used.
   
   • Store coffee mugs in a cabinet above the coffee pot.
   • Oven mitts should be stored near the oven.
   • Dish towels deserve a drawer near the sink.
   • Cleaning supplies for the bathroom should be right in the bathroom.
   • Towels should be stored in the bathrooms.
   • Staplers, scotch tape, whiteout and other office supplies should be on or in the desk, not scattered throughout the house.
   The exception would be rarely used items. They could be given a home in the garage or basement in clearly labeled containers, but they would belong in your Store pile.
   
   
2. Once you determine where an item will be used, find a specific home for it so it doesn't get lost again!
   
   • A basket or bin on the TV cabinet can be used to house video rentals.
   • Your DVD collection may need a cabinet or just a partial shelf.
   • A wooden box on the coffee table can coral multiple remote controls.
   • A basket on the counter can hold keys, sunglasses and cell phones.
   • Consider a cell phone, PDA or pager charging station.
     
   • Use a designated canvas tote for library books.
     
   • Baskets or bins near the front door can hold the overflow of shoes.
   • Heavy duty hooks keep school backpacks off the floor.
     
   • A basket in the kitchen keeps snacks in sight and accessible.
   • A desktop file holder can house files accessed on a daily/weekly basis.
     
   • A file cabinet can house files accessed on an occasional basis.
   • A basket/letter holder near the front door can hold outgoing mail.
   • A bin per family member in the bathroom can house personal toiletries.
   • Bedside cupboards can house night-time reading material.
     
   • Under-the-bed storage containers hold linens for that bedroom.
   • Over-the-door shoe holder can save precious floor space.
   
   Hopefully that will give you ideas to spur you on to find or create a home for every item in your home, beginning with the items in your Belongs Elsewhere pile.
   
   Do you have any nifty ideas to share? Add a comment to this post!