Extra Organizing Tips: Vicki Norris

Professional organizer and Mission: Organization guest Vicki Norris offers web-exclusive tips.

A big step in gaining control over your creeping clutter is to find the right place for every item in a given space. That may sound overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

Determining what kinds of activities should happen in each room aids in the process because the items that serve those activities will automatically be assigned to a nearby location.

To assess your clutter and find the right place for every item, follow these three key steps:

1. Get everything out of the space. Remove everything from the room and group like items as you go. This process will give you a clear picture of what you already have and where some of your clutter originates.

2. Decide what activities can stay in the room.
   
   
   
   • Create activity centers for the things you'll do in the room. Think about how much space you'll need to comfortably complete your projects.

   • Group materials that serve those activities. Think about "point of use," or where you use an item, and "frequency of use," or how often you use that item, when you are deciding where things should go in a room.

3. Customize your area. Make sure your activity center is customized to your needs. Adjust counter heights for maximum comfort, and use adjustable stools to accommodate others who use the space.