Organize the ‘Out Of Control’ Cluttered Areas
Those parts of your home where mess always piles up? It’s a solvable problem.
What are Drop Zones?
Definition: A surface in your home, often by an entrance, that accepts and holds every item coming in the front or back door that you haven’t yet decided what to do with. (See also: “I’m not sure what half of this crap is.” and “Ugh, this is always a disaster.”)
So, how can you fix it?
01
If something is coming into your home and you don’t know where it’s going to live in your home, your systems and zones aren’t clearly defined. If there’s something in your drop zone that has never had a permanent home, it’s time to give it one.
For example, overwhelmed with paper? You need a zone that allows you to file, shred or recycle. Are you drowning in reusable bags? Limit your supply and have a system for where they can live before they go back in your vehicle.
02
If you have a spot in your home for something but it’s always ending up in your drop zone, adjust your drop zone.
For example, in our own home, sunscreen was always ending up on the kitchen table by the back door. It was supposed to get put away on a shelf at the front door, but our main entrance is the back door, so I grabbed a bin and created a spot for outdoor items at the back door. This bin holds sunscreen, bug spray and sunglasses right where we use it.
Here’s another example (photos below). This client had a drop zone in their kitchen. We reworked this cupboard to accommodate the items in the drop zone so they could be contained behind closed doors. Now everyone in the family has access to high-use items in a central spot in the house.
Bonus Tidy Tip
Let me be clear - there’s nothing wrong with having a drop zone. Even I don’t put everything away as soon as it comes into our home. But, it does require maintenance so you should be clearing your drop zones at least once a week. And if you can’t clear it, give us a call. It’s time for an organizing refresh so we can review your pinch points and update your organizational systems.
