Thanks to a post from a friend on Facebook, I found this amazing declutter calendar. It was put together by Beth at My Simpler Life. When following Beth's calendar, you will declutter your entire house this year by doing just a little bit each day. No matter how chaotic or calm your house may be, I think this plan is something we can all incorporate into our daily lives. I also believe it is something we can all benefit from!
For January 1, Beth invites us to think about who we'd like to be in 2012. I've given this quite a bit of thought already as I am participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word challenge. {More on that Wednesday!} In 2012, I would really like to step up my self discipline. And by step up, I mean acquire some. I have none. Having a clutter free, organized home is a great jumping point for more self discipline.
Today's task is to set up a "Donation Station." Beth gives this site as a sample of a donation station. It's fantastic. However, I found I didn't really have the space for something so big. And to be honest, I didn't want my donation station to be out in full view.
I read through the post at The Red Chair Blog and quickly realized I could get by with only two bins. We definitely needed a bin for donations. We are constantly cleaning out clothes and shoes. The other three bins though, could be combined into one.
First, I needed to decide where to put this station. I definitely wanted it near the front door. I also definitely wanted it out of site. My husband and I decided the coat closet would be just the place. He also decided he would like to be able to store the vacuum in there. {?!} We had our work cut out for us. Believe me, our front closet did NOT look like this in the morning. We sorted and stored and moved things around for a couple of hours. It was definitely worth it.
Next, I needed the actual bins. Because I have a longstanding addiction to baskets and bins, I knew there would be something in my home that I could use. I was right! I found one of these baskets completely empty in my daughter's room and the other had a few toys I was able to transfer to some shelving in her closets. They are stackable and large, so they are perfect. I still need to label them, but here is what they look like in the bottom of our coat closet. The bottom basket is for donations {anyone need some faux orange tree branches?} and the top is for things to be returned and/or gifted. It's amazing how quickly it's filled up!!
How is your first day of decluttering going? I'd love to see your donation station as well!
For January 1, Beth invites us to think about who we'd like to be in 2012. I've given this quite a bit of thought already as I am participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word challenge. {More on that Wednesday!} In 2012, I would really like to step up my self discipline. And by step up, I mean acquire some. I have none. Having a clutter free, organized home is a great jumping point for more self discipline.
Today's task is to set up a "Donation Station." Beth gives this site as a sample of a donation station. It's fantastic. However, I found I didn't really have the space for something so big. And to be honest, I didn't want my donation station to be out in full view.
I read through the post at The Red Chair Blog and quickly realized I could get by with only two bins. We definitely needed a bin for donations. We are constantly cleaning out clothes and shoes. The other three bins though, could be combined into one.
First, I needed to decide where to put this station. I definitely wanted it near the front door. I also definitely wanted it out of site. My husband and I decided the coat closet would be just the place. He also decided he would like to be able to store the vacuum in there. {?!} We had our work cut out for us. Believe me, our front closet did NOT look like this in the morning. We sorted and stored and moved things around for a couple of hours. It was definitely worth it.
Next, I needed the actual bins. Because I have a longstanding addiction to baskets and bins, I knew there would be something in my home that I could use. I was right! I found one of these baskets completely empty in my daughter's room and the other had a few toys I was able to transfer to some shelving in her closets. They are stackable and large, so they are perfect. I still need to label them, but here is what they look like in the bottom of our coat closet. The bottom basket is for donations {anyone need some faux orange tree branches?} and the top is for things to be returned and/or gifted. It's amazing how quickly it's filled up!!
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| our donation station |