Spring breaks may not quite be what they used to be. Nonetheless, there were a few very exciting things that took place this past week during mine. I’ll share with you my second favorite SB happening….

PROJECT:  A quick re-org of my parents’ stash of serving (etc.) pieces. Mom wanted easy access to the various accessories she’s storing in laundry room cabinets.

Winston checking out my work (or maybe he’s more interested in that litter box…)

BEFORE PICS:

Decorative bowl at top only visible with step ladder (& stored haphazardly!)

“just in case water goes out” containers taking up prime space

Not efficiently utilizing space; other pieces left out on laundry room counter because “not enough room” in cabinets

Randomly stored stuff

Mom originally kept like items together. We all need to regroup from time to time…

HERE’S STEP BY STEP WHAT I DID:

#1:  Before doing anything, I asked these 3 key questions:   What’s your vision? What’s working? What’s not working?

PROJECT VISION:

• central place to keep these items:  WORKING
• easy access:  NOT WORKING: ITEMS WERE RANDOMLY PACKED IN
• easy to put away: NOT WORKING: RAN OUT OF ROOM IN PROPER PLACE SO STASHED WHEREVER IT’D FIT – OR LEFT OUT ON COUNTER
• visually appealing (even though behind closed doors):  NOT WORKING: HAD BECOME MESSY

My “client” (mom) wanted me to just handle. And since I asked those 3 key questions, I was able to independently run with it. So while she was enjoying her morning coffee and paper, I whipped this space into shape.

#2:  Take visual inventory. (Since this was a quick revamp, I didn’t pull out everything. Not all reorganizations have to be an all day/week thing. And, this was my spring break after all!) 

#3:  Determine best placement for each category.

#4: Shifted things to new location (using floor to group certain items).

#5:  Arrange each shelf in logical order (Items need to be easy to retrieve AND put away. If not… chances are it’ll get left out = clutter.)

#6:  Grouped remaining items that needed to be put elsewhere:

“Elsewhere” stuff… not a lot overall. Most everything stayed: space was just utilized more efficiently. Including an empty shelf for future needs.

• home in another place
• give away
• throw away
• holiday closet
• not sure (MY PERSONAL OPINION: We often get stuck with “what do I do with this?” I’ll sometimes simply remove those items and store – for time being! – and deal with later. I find it frees up energy to keep moving along which helps bring project to completion.)

 AFTER PICS:

Space left for additional items.  When organizing spaces, it’s nice to leave room to add stuff later. Otherwise – that “stuff” becomes CLUTTER because there’s not an easy place to store it.

Grouped similar items: silver, clear vases, candle holders, crystal that’s not used very often (at bottom).

Ceramic type pieces, baskets…

Floral pieces (dried hydrangeas stored in container  keeping delicate part upright while leavening more space on shelf. Mom uses that stand quite a bit so it’s now super easy to get to.

Oyster roast items: Mom saved this vintage saltine container and when seeing it today thought, “I can use this to put flowers in for our next roast!” So it’s now right with the shuckers so she’ll have it when that (super fun!) time comes around again.

Miscellaneous items above and gift items below. (And speaking of “gift” … what are the grandchildren’s “precious” handprint painted pottery pieces doing stored away?!)

Referring to that last caption, Mom said, “Well y’all are always saying not to have so much stuff out so I’m just changing things up a bit.” I’m not the one typically giving advice to my mom (and dad – they are the styling experts!), but I did write this post on the too much stuff out topic: Read Accessories Gone Wild if you’ve gone too far.)

(NOTE TO MOM: Emily and I weren’t referring to the made with love hand/foot print pieces that were hanging up in the kitchen! But, we love you!)

And I love you, my wonderful readers!  Lots happening behind-the-scenes that’ll help you create a more organized (= awesome!) life!  Stay tuned…….

xo,