A place for everything....tidy people - PLEASE share your storage solutions and secrets with me...

[TryingToBeTidier]

Hello
I am as my name suggests trying to be tidier.
I don't want to spend loads of money on toyboxes etc, I am sure there are lots of clever things to tidy up in the house..
help please

------------

Looking for advice on keeping things organised or making the most of a small space? Check out our round-up of Mumsnetters’ life-changing storage boxes, space-saving tips, and decluttering hacks. MNHQ.

First of all don't stress if the ENTIRE house isn't tidy. I only make sure that the downstairs of our house is tidy ie the living room kitchen and toilet. Then just be clever with the space. I find that those strong reusable bags from tesco (not the plastic ones) are useful for toying as you go. Pick up anything out of place and put it in throughout the day and then empty out the bag by returning everythingto its place at the end of the day. Also only have a small bin in the kitchen so you have to empty it everyday at least. It sounds daft but you'll get into the habit of recycling more which in turn makes the house tidyer. Also foldable crates are really good for clean washing and ironing as when you don't need them they take up less space than conventional washing baskets and they only cost a couple quid down Tesco x

Oh and toyboxes- I use those big flexing tubs and just chuck everything in. They're prettycheap too x

Thank you ginger
But how do I decide where stuff lives??!?

I'd love to know this too. I do go around and ruthlessly declutter at least once a week but then I end up with a heap of things that don't really 'live' anywhere. The kitchen table is the worst for this - I hate that it's covered in keys, phones, unposted letters, school books, glasses, etc - but where the hell can I put these important things where they are visible but not untidy?!

Oh yes, I'm with you here! My house is miniscule, with no storage. We have shelves everywhere (naice ones, mind), but we still end up with loads of pairs of shoes on the stairs, and heaps of guff on the table.

I'm watching with interest, hoping someone can tell me where all that crap on the table should actually live.

I bought one of those wicker storage basket units for the hall, that stores all the stuff Mackerel mentioned. But the kitchen table now fill sup with other trash. Endless bits of paper from school, evil Lego, newspapers that DH won't let me throw out until he's 'gone through them'. Ditto unsolicited mail that he just wants to check. Endless unrequested catalogues for wine and books and household tat we'll never buy.Endless heaps of marking that I leave lying around because my desk has been invaded by evil Lego.

That is precisely the key tryingtobe You must find homes for everything. Spend some time thinking about this carefully though to get the right home for all your stuff e.g if you put your makeup on in the bedroom, there's no point housing it in the bathroom. Try to think of the most convenient place and this will make life easier. Think about shelves, baskets or boxes, hooks.... all take up wall space, not floor space! IKEA is great for these things and their website shows good storage ideas you may not have considered.

Hope that helps, it is difficult without seeing your home and your stuff! (not in the north west are you??)

Sadly not, lollipoppet - are you a professional declutterer?
Maybe that is what I need...

Sorry, just seen this. I'm not, just like that sort of thing (saddo). I think they exist though, but it's best to do it yourself because you know what your life is like! How's it going? Have you made any progress?

I am not a tidy person-but have managed to become tidy enough from being someone who paddled knee deep in clutter. Flylady saved me-cheesy American website often mentioned on here. Storage wise, I have one of those ikea units with cube shaped baskets. They roughly have themed toys in them, but sometimes if something is in my hand and I really dont know where it goes... Oops it's in with the Lego. I get to the post before dh and ruthlessly filter any unimportant mail that otherwise accumulates. Then I put other stuff under his nose with a "you had better deal with this now" look!
I have corners at the moment that are piling up and, on flylady's orders I do fifteen mins a day sorting out something like that or tidying a drawer that kind of thing. That has meant that I haven't needed more storage because the stuff has reduced. Hope that helps. I also only really try to keep downstairs tidy - if something has to give its got to be upstairs.

Oh...and we have a piano. No one plays it but it's great for storing the important stuff you describe

Imagine you are doing a room set for the lifestyle you want, and make sure that only the things you need for the roomset are in each room. For example, in your living room think about the things you will do in there such as TV watching, reading, listening to music, eating, and playing, and make sure the correct items are in there for that purpose. Possibly rearrange the furniture to ensure you can do all these activities easily and pleasantly. Then get rid of everything else. Apply the same to other rooms - for example make sure you bed in centre place in your bedroom, with two matching bedside tables with lamps on, and a big drawer on each side for everyday things. Think about what clothes you need and what else should be in your bedroom, and then get rid of everything else. At the bottom of the stairs, have a lost property basket. In the kitchen have an in-tray for letters and urgent paperwork, etc. Do this room by room and you will fall back in love with your house.