These are the questions from Organizing Junkie for today, the goal is to plan the space.

1. What do I want the purpose of my room or area to be?

The purpose of this area is to serve as the brain of my house and also my life. It is (as is the kitchen and the garden) an outlet for my creative pursuits, but it is mostly a place where I plan, process information, process paperwork, and keep things together. It is also where I store all of my books besides cookbooks and all of my home office supplies (paper, tape, pens), craft supplies and paperwork. I’d also like it to be a fun-looking, beautiful place that’s enjoyable to spend time in.
2. What do I need in or near the room to serve that purpose?

I need my filing cabinet, book shelf, and space for my craft supplies.  I would like to put up some shelves, find some ways to organize my supplies, and also find a big white board/cork board that I can use as a brain dump. I think I may have an old corkboard in a garage somewhere. Must research.
3. What can I remove from the room?

On the wall, I don’t need a calendar as I have my main calendar else where in the house, and I can use the calendar on my computer. There is some junk mail, my Halloween costume from last year, some unused craft supplies and craft books, and laundry here as well as some general trash.
4. What problems do I see with the room?

It serves a lot of functions for me, so it seems like it’s extra important to not introduce anything into the space that isn’t part of the functions it does serve (i.e. no dirty laundry, trash, etc) My mind is also in a lot of places at once so I tend to be working on a couple projects at a time (paying bills, reading a magazine, doodling an embroidery design). Need to find a way to sort through those. Also since a lot of my craft supplies don’t have a “home” they end up tossed on the desk or shoved somewhere else. That needs to be fixed.
Picture 193b

This is an example of stuff just getting shoved into a place because it doesn’t have a “home”.

5. What organizational tools might solve those problems?

A small trash basket, possibly a tiered inbox to keep active projects straight, and of course, organizational solutions for my craft supplies.
6. What habits need to change to solve the organizational problems?

I need to focus on one task at a time (don’t start a magazine until my bills are paid and put away), and also I really need to develop a craft list so as to not start too many crafts at once, lose interest, start another, etc. Unfinished business really irks me!
7. What kind of a budget do I have to create the organized room of my dreams?

Close to nothin’. We’re renovating our house and trying to save up an emergency fund, so I’ll be using a lot of creativity on this :-)
8. What kind of a timeline is necessary to organize the room? (28 days!)

I think 28 days should be good. I always see it as an afternoon project but I think giving myself the full month will give me some time to really think myself through it. I am also starting to remodel our bedroom this month so this way I can do both projects and not be completely overwhelmed.

9. What is my plan of action?

Remove everything from this space that doesn’t need to be here. Sort craft supplies and determine what is needed to contain everything neatly. Put up shelves and find some sort of white board/cork board. Clean out filing cabinet of old old old papers and start filing away important documents. Make a spreadsheet of craft projects I want to complete and post it on my board.

10. Who can I ask to help me with this?  (working with a friend can be fun, productive and encouraging)

I have a lot of great friends, a supportive mom and sister and a wonderful husband! But I think I can conquer this on my own. I know I can call in back up if needed. :-)

Advertisement