Tidy up your papers
Sorting through all the different papers and documents takes a lot of time, so I advise to split it in two parts. After all the papers have been gathered (and do not let the huge pile scare you!), the first job is to divide them in wide categories, without even taking a close look at every piece of paper. Studying every bit and scrap of paper is what devours the most of your time and brings no visible results. Papers should be categorized, e.g., health care, car, education, learning materials, contracts, warranties etc.
If you happen to see any unnecessary papers, throw them out right away. Otherwise, this first part should be done quickly and without reading any documents. I suggest using some post-its for category names and free up some space on a big surface like a table or floor where you can organize all your categories.
When you come to the second part of your task, you sort through the different categories. This is where scrutiny comes in play – you have to examine every paper to see which ones are still needed. Pay close attention to dates – we all tend to keep receipts and documents longer than necessary! Depending on the amount of papers you are dealing with, the categories can be sorted at once or one category a day. There is no rush in this. To free up floor space, put the papers in some temporary marked boxes.
When you come to the second part of your task, you sort through the different categories. This is where scrutiny comes in play – you have to examine every paper to see which ones are still needed. Pay close attention to dates – we all tend to keep receipts and documents longer than necessary! Depending on the amount of papers you are dealing with, the categories can be sorted at once or one category a day. There is no rush in this. To free up floor space, put the papers in some temporary marked boxes.
Organize the sorted papers in folders with a button or with compartments and keep them in vertical files. This should be the rule at home – all papers should be organized only vertically. My favorite IKEA range files are from TJENA, KUGGIS and DRÖNJÖNS series. They are sturdy and fit many interior styles. TJENA is very functional as the boxes are made of cardboard and are easy to mark with stickers. DRÖNJÖNS and KUGGIS are more decorative and will look great in open shelves, as a magazine storage solution or even a storage for files.
If you have papers that will not be needed daily and that you would like to keep for some reason, like tracking expenditures or because of their sentimental value, nice idea is to use TJENA or KVARNVIK boxes with lid. Inside, the papers should be organized in folders.
Tidy up your drawers
Nobody sees what is inside a drawer, so we tend to care less about the order there. Yet when working from home or learning, chaos in the drawers can interfere with your efficiency and there is a big chance the drawers will turn into a black holes where everything just disappears. There are some simple hacks to keep your drawers tidy.First, take everything out – put it on a table or on the floor. Prepare some small boxes and holders. You can use materials available at home or take a ready solution. NOJIG series is available at great prices and the boxes have many different sizes! I suggest buying more different sized boxes than seem necessary. If there is something left, IKEA has a great return policy so you can just bring back the items you do not need.
When the boxes are ready, sort the contents of your drawers. Remember that the things in one box should be linked – every box is like a subcategory, e.g., erasers, pencil sharpeners, business cards, notice paper, scissors, pens etc.
Boxes can be put back in the drawer just when they are full. Maybe you will have to join several boxes, group differently or choose another NOJIG box. This is part of the process. To keep the drawers tidy, you have to observe just one principle: no object should touch the bottom of the drawer. This means that everything is put into a box first and the box is then put into a drawer. Remember that boxes that will be put into drawers, do not need lid – in this case, a lid can even become an inconvenience.
Tidy up your walls
Pegboards are great solution for smaller spaces and suitable for those who like visual reminders right in front of their eyes. SKÅDIS pegboards are an easy hack to reduce the chaos on your desk as all the small thinks and reminders needed in everyday activities can be put on the eye level and not on the desk. One of the ground rules of a tidy home is to keep the horizontal surfaces clean so everything that you do not need immediately, can be put away in drawers or on pegboards.
SKÅDIS series is easy to adjust to fit different needs as the accessories (boxes, holders, hooks etc.) are easy to change and can be added even lates. This way, the same pegboard is as functional in a hobby room as it is in a garage or at a desk. The pegboard should not be overloaded though – take care not to collect battered post-its, glittery and colorful elements and everything that goes outside the board. For a more balanced look the sides of the pegboard should be viewed as a frame and no elements should cross that.
Tidy up your hobby space
Painting accessories, yarn and knitting needles, sewing kits and many other hobby accessories bring a lot of joy but sometimes are hard to keep in order. This is another chance for boxes and baskets to shine! Remember that things in one basket should be about the same size. A small pack of needles is no good companion for big balls of yarn as such a combination is not functional. The smaller things can be put in holders with a zipper like the ones from VÄRLDENS or SKÖRDA series that can be then put into a bigger box.
Smaller boxes from KVARNVIK or LURPASSA series can be used to organize smaller things. Everything, actually, that is very small and can be just thrown onto a table and put back again with a swipe of a palm. Small boxes are great for buttons, ribbons, pins and other tiny objects.
The KLÄMMEMACKA desk organizer brings sweet memories of my childhood and mom. I remember her having a similar box for threads, needles and other things for sewing. That box was like a chest of treasures for me and my sister! The KLÄMMEMACKA organizer is great for sewing accessories, medicines, hair accessories or pens and pencils for the creative activities of kids.