3 Tips to Help Organize Your Silicon Valley Home

The holidays are over, decorations have been put away and a new year has begun. In the lull between tax season and early spring gardening, now’s the ideal time to tackle some long-awaited home projects. Getting organized is a great place to begin. If like many, you’re feeling short on time, quick projects which can make daily living easier is an ideal approach. Listed below are some home organization ideas worth checking out.

1. Create a Donation Station. Often as we get chores done or are on the search for something misplaced, we notice things which we really don’t need or want any more, yet have not dealt with. Setting up a donation station can help you get things out of your house with ease. Set up a basket or bin, near the front door, or in your garage by the car. As you come across items to donate, put them in the bin. Whenever you leave to run errands, grab your bin and go.

Bonus tip: Ensure you get the most out of your tax-deductible donations. Keep a small notepad and pen nearby to write down what’s being donated and its approximate value. Keep your donation receipts with the list, and you’ll be prepared come tax time.

1. Update Kitchen Storage. When was the last time you went through your kitchen cupboards and drawers? If it’s been awhile, a quick purge of outdated spices and expired dried or canned goods could open up a lot of space. Kitchen utensils and gadgets can become overwhelming. A good rule of thumb to follow is to ask yourself, “When was the last time I used this?” For kitchenware, if it’s been 6 months, consider if you are likely to use it again. If cleaning out your kitchen seems daunting, schedule a week to tackle it one hour at a time each day. Installing cabinet organizer shelves can also help keep your kitchen organized, and add extra storage space.

1. Organize Home Supplies. From personal toiletries and accessories, to cleaning supplies and the ever-messy ‘junk drawer’, the things we use at home on a regular basis can end up spread throughout the house. Follow the old adage, a place for everything, and everything in it’s place, and you’ll always know where to find things.

Go room to room and determine how best you can use the space. The addition of a shelf in the bathroom may be all that’s needed to keep your toiletries organized. Get a drawer organizer for your junk drawer. Add in small jars to hold loos bits such as nails or extra buttons. Keep cleaning supplies in bins under the sink. Add some hooks inside your bedroom closet to hang belts, scarves and purses. A shoe rack in a closet or near the main entrance can do wonders.

The ideas for organizing your home are almost endless. Discover more ideas at HouseLogic, with their recently published Get Organized Guide. If you are ready to invest in property, buy or sell a home, we at Haylen Group are here to help you with all your real estate needs! As your agent, we will strive to work together and give you the best support we can. Call Helen Chong at (408) 800-LIST or email at Helen@HaylenGroup.com. You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information