In general terms, Clothes Airers come in a few different types, floor standing, wall mounted, hanging and there are also some specialised dryers for individual or difficult items to dry. Here I will show you the types and hopfully you will come away with a clearer idea of the type that will suit your needs.

Floor Standing:

The floor standing Clothes Airer is by far the most common, most of these fold away for storage and they come in a number of types. What to look for is basically a matter of size budget and needs, combine these with where you want to store it when the better weather returns and you have found your laundry drying solution.

So with this in mind, lets look at some of these and the strengths they have. The Pegasus range from Leifheit have most bases covered with models suitable for small and large needs. Leifheit Pegasus 120 is a smaller fold out airer, great for apartment living and works really well in bath tubs, with it's non slip feet. Leifhet MAXX is a really tall airer for those of you with a family of basketballers, but also fantastic for large items like bedding. There is also the smaller and more compact Leifheit Capri 100, great for smaller areas and really easy to store away. 

Wall Mounted:

A wall mounted Clothes Airer has advantages over floor standing ones, the most obvious are space saving and convenience. Mounted to a wall above a washing machine or in a wet area where bathers etc can be hung, then folded away when not in use, is what sets them apart. German Brand Leifheit make quality Wall Mounted Clothes Airers, including the Telegant Plus 100. This is the airer we have been selling the longest, it's simple and strong design can be attached to any wall, the folding arm mechanism is really easy to use and it can be installed inside or out. When you are finished, it simply folds back against the wall and you hardly see it. The Leifheit Teleclip 100 and the Teleclip 60 have a similar pull out design, but work with a consertina type pull out mechanism.

Another type of Wall Mounted Clothes Airer, is the Leifheit Rollfix. Attach it to a wall and pull out the 5 drying lines to have an instant clothes line almost anywhere. These create 21 meters of drying area and can be installed over a bath or in the laundry or even a garage.

Hanging:

A hanging type Clothes Airer can provide a different solution that may suit some situations or even complement another type of Clothes Dryer. A small items hanging dryer/airer, like the Portable Clothes Dryer 20 Peg, is perfect for small items of clothing like socks and underware. After sorting, small items can be dried on these at the outdoor clothes line or in a wardrobe and larger items aired on a normal type clothes airer. Over the door type hangers such as the Over Door Clothes Hanger or the Over Door Ironing Hanger, can provide a back of the door solution for hanging all sorts of Laundry area items.

Specialised:

When you have a special woolen knit, camisole, blouse or hosiery that is difficult to dry without creasing or risking damage with pegs etc, we have the Leifheit Sensitive Air. A brilliant and simple airer for just this job. This is essentially an oval shape mesh with a flexible outer ring. It can be attached to a Clothes Aier with the press stud clips, or just use the tension strap across the bottom, to bend into a gentle arch and place your item of clothing on it. This can then be left on a table or laundry bench to dry naturally and in the correct shape. Another simple solution is the Folding Garment Dryer, this  is used for a single top or Jumper and simply hook over the clothes line or Clothes Airer.

Our Garage would have to deliver some of the most useful space in the home, yet for many it is the most underappreciated place. 

It's surprising how organised the rest of our life becomes, yet the garage is often the last place to rise above disorganisation. For many of us, it's perhaps the first dump point... but it's also often the first entry point creating a first impression of what lifestyle might be awaiting within. Chaos or simplicity? What do we want to be greeted with as we arrive home at the end of a long, hard day?

Given the tight squeeze for 2 cars in our garage, we set out to create a tidy and practical place that didn't encroach on vehicle space.
For us it was most easily done with strategically positioned wall mounted shelving and hooks. We've used the Rubbermaid Fast Track shelving kit and Rubbermaid's modular wire shelves, which hang from a horizontal rail screwed into studs or brick. The great thing about the Fast Track Rails is that they line both side walls and we can move hooks and the shelves that attach to any part to suit the growing needs of our family. You know, when scooters or sports interest change seasonally or with various fads.
Currently bikes grace the widest part, one group of shelves sit toward one end filled with camping gear and gardening equipment. A ladder hook mounted between. The opposite wall has long handled tools and another bank of shelving, with pet food containers, beach equipment and more - well clear of the car.

Few of us want to tackle the overwhelming thought of organising our garage, but with some straight forward steps, it's worthwhile regaining your valuable space.
Organising our garages simply means finding a place for everything in it so we can find each thing much easier and get houshold jobs done faster. Think of the time we save in the long run!
Firstly, sort all items in your garage and categorise them. Empty the garage out and put everything in different piles according to category such as garden equipment, electric tools, sporting equipment, long handled tools.
Secondly, really query what items are no longer used, needed or loved? Chances are it's time they were turfed or could benefit someone else more.
Thirdly, consider if some items are better homed elsewhere - perhaps closer to where they're used or if rarely and you can't part with them, consider placing them in your roof space.

Some plastic tubs that fit on shelves or stack can be great for smaller items accessed less regularly - stored by category for easy finding. Label the theme of each container to ease location of items.
This is where we screwed in the Fast Track Rails and simply clicked in the shelves and hooks we had on hand to suit our bikes, ladder, long handled tools and electric cords. Move these accessories as needs change.

Pictured: Rubbermaid Fast Track 2 shelf starter kit & 2 shelves. Cost: $143.85

Albert Einstein said "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere".

But sometimes we need to get from A to B so that we can be in the place of imagination. Do you agree?

When I think about what I love to do creativity plays a big part in all of them. Without being organised can we have creativity?

Renowned author Gustave Flaubert said “Be orderly and disciplined in daily life, so that I might be wild and violent in my art.”

I often see how the clutter in our life, the day to day challenges and stress of living in the world today is inhibiting people’s ability to access their creativity, which has been called an essential element of the human spirit.

Without creativity and imagination our world would be a very different place. There would be no electricity, no sport, no art, no architecture, and no expression in dance.

Today we live busier lives than ever; we achieve a great deal of tasks in everyday. Even our children have not one hobby or interest but 6 and they change with every sporting season.

This pressure of time and commitment is fantastic at helping us produce adrenaline which increases our heart rate and blood flow to the brain all great things to help us get through the multitude of tasks in a day. The down side of adrenaline is that it has the ability to interrupt our power of concentration, memory and cause muscle tremors as anyone who has experienced nervousness before performing for an audience can confirm.

The outcome for most will be that the stress and pressures will close off creativity and imagination which require freedom of thought to be ignited and to prosper.

Take Control. Organise Your Life Inspirations.

So how do we access creativity in our busy world?
It is all about the BALANCE between what we have to do and the things we need to do to be complete people.
Here are my top three tips to working towards better life balance and creativity.

TIME
Make clear decisions about how your time is best spent write it down and use a planner. For most the good old hand written way is still the most effective this is because there is a special connection between your handwriting and your memory that just doesn't seem to occur when you tap or type information into an electronic device. There are those who swear by their electronic companions though I find the majority of people remember more about their appointments and to do's when handwriting. Use alerts and other reminders as long as they aren’t an annoyance to you.

LIFE
Clear your mind of clutter, take a few minutes when you feel overwhelmed to clear your thoughts use a notebook to data dump all the things on your mind. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the amount of tasks you have or more importantly have recurring thoughts constantly churning in your mind including ideas and desires.

SPACES
Clear your space, creativity needs to have space to emerge by starting with a clear and clean area your mind is free to explore the possibilities.

“Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being...creativity requires passion and commitment. Out of the creative act is born symbols and myths. It brings to our awareness what was previously hidden and points to new life. The experience is one of heightened consciousness-ecstasy."
- Rollo May, The Courage to Create

Albert Einstein said “I think only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.”

Creativity and expression is such an important part to being human. Dare to speculate the possibilities, disregard negative self talk, know you are wondrous just as you are, dance like no one is watching and decide to design your life by taking control of your time and the spaces around you.

I would love to hear from you if you've discovered creativity through order. Jump in on the conversation on Facebook.

Yours in organised bliss,
Carolyn Verhoef
Organising Coach and Expert Professional Organiser.
Outside the Box Organisation Solutions
www.outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au

Rubbermaid Fast Track garage shelving is an ideal way to optimise wall space for a multitude of uses.

These units can be installed quite easily to many types of walls and all you have to do is attach the top rail. Once the top rail has been attached, simply clip on the track grippers with uprights, clip on the shelf brackets and add the shelves.

Brackets can be moved to varying heights along the slots so your shelves change with your needs.

The newest range of Everloc Suction products for 2013-2014 has just arrived at Lifespace. We are very excited about this range of suction holders and accessories and wanted to provide some more in information about the features and benefits of the latest generation from Everloc.

The Everloc range is available in 2 main types. The Endure and the Solutions ranges both have the same new type of suction cap.

Everloc Endure: Each item in this range features a stainless steel chrome coated frame, which will provide maximun durability for the life of the product. The Endure range of suction products consists of Toilet Brush Holder, Utensils Holder, Toilet Roll Holder, Double Corner Basket, Soap Holder, Corner Basket, Bathroom Shelf, Half Round Shelf .

Right out of the box, these products feel like quality items, the chrome finish is flawless, creating a sophisticated look. Each Everloc Endure Suction product is made to last, the stainless steel frames are strong and not flimsy in any way.

Each basket and holder has a rating of weight carrying capacity, either 8kg for the smaller of the 2 sized suction caps or 15kg for the larger ones.

The suction cap that Everloc has used for the latest range is quite unique and worth looking at closer.

The design of this cap is not a radical change from others we have seen before, the cap is placed on a flat smooth surface and a screw mechanism is used to pull the cap from the middle back to create a strong suction. This has been used for many years successfully. Where Everloc has made the most change is in the cap itself.

Made from a soft sticky silicone, the cap then also has a secondary bonded ring, embedded in the cap. This helps to fill in any small imperfections in the mounting surface creating a better and stronger seal. The backing plate has a graduated ring system to force the suction cap onto the surface and keep it in place when in use.

We have done some testing with these Everloc Suction Caps and found them to be an excellent product to use and the suction capacity is outstanding. The sticky nature of the cap allows for positioning without using the suction and when the tightening screw is secured it provides a really strong grip.

The caps can be used over and over, simply submerge the suction cap section only in hot water for 15 minutes, this process returns it to the original shape and restores the sticky surface for positioning again or elsewhere. (Don't dry them with teatowels or bath towels as the lint will detract from their grip.

Everloc Solutions Range: Each product in the Solutions range features a solid steel frame and a quality chrome finish.

The Solutions range from Everloc consists of: Shower Caddy, Towel Rail, Towel Ring, Large Shelf, Round Shelf, Dental Station, Toilet Roll Holder, Hair Care Centre, Shaver Holder, Hair Dryer Holder, Hair Straightener Holder, Single Hooks and Double Hook Packs.

I couldn't live without my condiment caddy and roll out baskets. A can dispenser is also invaluable for the households that go through heaps of drink cans.

It's always great to have a system so you know where to find like items and replace them - saves all that searching with the fridge door open, let alone waste.

With young kids, quantities can be a hit and miss, so I pretty much always seem to have a shelf of leftovers, that can make up a combination meal for what each family member wants on one night of the week.

Some families also like to keep neat containers of pre-prepared salad items and sandwich fillings to make lunches etc quicker on the go... Or ready cut vegies for the evening dinners. Oh, and I can't recommend these handled fridge baskets highly enough.

Is your wardrobe woefully messy? Overloading is usually the culprit (in mine too!)

Clear out all of the items taking up space at the bottom. Gift to charity or friends the items you haven't worn in the past year - unless the meet the treasured 'love' category ie a wedding dress.

A great tip to know just how long it's gone without wearing is to turn all hangers around on the hanging bar and when you've worn them, replace hanging the way you normally put them. After a season, you can see what wasn't worn for that season and make some strict decisions.

There are many space saving devices for wardrobes. The favourite on the wall of my walk in wardrobe is the shoe storage that can hang over the back of the door or fix directly to the wall.

Neat Freak has some great modular systems from $24.95 that can add extra hanging space or shelving for clothes without any construction needed.

Specialty hangers can stack on each other to avoid using the full width of hang bars. You can also consider over door hooks for behind bedroom or wardrobe doors for a handbag, jacket, hat or next days clothes.

With all items up off the floors, trim down the excess. You may need space bags for some, toss a lot or use some more free sliding baskets on runners.

National Organising Week tips are moving on to the bedroom.

Clear space under your bed and sort what is still necessary to keep - again, be strong.

Give it a good vacuum and clean out before protecting your requirements in the most suitable space bags that protect clothes, blankets and sheets from dust, mould and mildew, while also keeping contents contained using minimal space.

You wouldn't believe the variety of Space Bags now available.... stackable totes, hanging or roll up travel options etc

Is your laundry like a bombshell? Firstly you need some clear space.

If it's large and doubles as a storage/dump area, consider shelving like Freedomrail (we've not found anything to match it's strength and stability!) coupled with some plastic tubs if need be.

Empty and clean cupboards - as per my recent posts - grouping like things together and those used with priority in the easiest accessible positions.

Consider some storage baskets or plastic tubs. A quality sorting hamper & iron holders that can also mount an ironing board can make life much easier too.

Get mops and brooms up off the grounder with appropriate holders.

A suction basket above the sink can assist tidying up the sink area - and of course a rail in the cupboard for a hand towel.

One of my most useful items is the pull out wall mounted clothes airer that folds flat against the wall.

See the categories mentioned here for ideas.

Shall we finish the bathroom area first for National Organising Week... before moving on?

Pull everything out of that bathroom/vanity cupboard, wipe clean, toss things not used or too old. Be strong, if it fails the test 'do you need it, use it or love it'.

Group like things together to return to the cupboard in sections, closest to where you use them and obviously the most used items at easiest reach.

Think what organisers could help in this area. Is it some cheap little plastic trays, small drawers, or a suction hairdryer holder or even some drawer organisers? Maybe you want a cosmetic organiser for quick easy access given many of us make it a daily morning activity.

Over door hooks behind the bathroom door can also help lift clothes off the floor when showering.

It's handy to keep a spray cleaner and wiping rag in the cupboard too if you have messy little ones like me.

Vanity door storage options can offer some simple solutions, both within baskets inside the cupboard, or hooks on the outside

Suction accessories can also lift things off the ground or benches  

Here's where you can find some products for the counter top too.

Here is another small project to tackle tonight or in the morning.

Remove all your items from the shower (and bath if applicable). Do you really need it all in there?

Anything used less than weekly, should certainly be demoted to the bathroom cupboard.

Clean everything down and consider how best to house what's left. Is it a shower caddy - Or suction baskets - or a stainless steel suction hook? I've linked a few items in those categories to consider returning your items onto in a neat fashion to reduce clutter.

So during National Organising Week.... a lot of it comes down to culling unecessary extras ie to cull clutter and avoid hoarding.
Here's a great blogpost I found by Professional Organiser Rebecca Mezzino at Clear Space Organising Services that can help you sort out will it stay or will it go.

Will It Stay or Will It Go? by Rebecca Mezzino

When you’re trying to reduce your belongings, it can be hard making the decision to keep or discard an item.
Here’s what I ask my clients:
1. Do you NEED it? This one is relatively easy to answer once you get the hang of it. If it’s a bike bell and you don’t have a bike, you probably don’t NEED it. Notice I didn’t say “want”. Be careful you don’t confuse the two – western society has a pretty warped sense of need these days.
2. Do you USE it? If you don’t need it you still might use it. I don’t NEED a white coat and a brown one, but I do use both of them regularly throughout winter.
3. Do you LOVE it? Is it neither a necessity nor used? Is it a teacup that belonged to your grandma’s special set? Not needed, not used, but certainly treasured.

If it fails all these tests, then it has no place in your life. Period.

Be careful: it’s at this point that the “other” criteria pop up in your head because fear kicks in….
“I might need it one day”
“I really should finish that project; I’m a failure if I just discard it now”
“What if Cath notices the frame that she gave me isn’t on display anymore”, or
“But I spent good money on it and now I’m wasting that money by giving this item away”.
None of these are good enough reasons to keep something. Don’t let the fear take over.
If you don’t need, use or love it, it’s making life that little bit harder for you. That little bit more cramped, that little bit more complex. Let go of the fear and experience the freedom!

Embrace the idea of less stuff so you can have more of life.

Get Organised NOW with our National Organising Week Tasks & Tips.

Lets tackle a small, simple area first. How about under the kitchen sink?

Remove all items, be ruthless and chuck what you no longer use or is tattered and beyond it.

Wipe down all surfaces.

Group similar cupboard contents together, and we should store these with the most commonly used at the front for easy reach - (for me, the spray bottle to wipe down the bench).

Consider... how can you maximise space here? Is it some tubs with bottles stored together, extra shelving, or pull out baskets?

Consider a towel rack to hang a cloth inside? An over cupboard basket that hangs inside the cupboard door for sponges etc. These options can also help get cluttery items off the bench tops if this is what you prefer.

See some further items including pull out baskets that you may want to consider here.

Pictured: Made Smart Under Sink Expanding Shelf $42.95 

Is clutter stifling your creativity and efficiency? Does it constantly distract you from the task at hand? NOW there’s a National Organising Week (NOW) on 2-8 September, 2013 to help combat this constant dilemma affecting almost every household.

“Enhancing your daily organisation can reduce stress, while saving time and money,” says Nicole Thomas, and Adelaide Mum and Co-Founder of website Lifespace Store and Organise which delivers to your door Australia wide.

“Imagine no more elbow deep searches through the wardrobe, lost paperwork incurring late fees or wasted food buried in the pantry? What about that often long-lost joy of clear floors and bench tops that present a rewarding neatness?”

“Getting organised can be as simple as creating clear spaces and an orderly process that helps with daily activities – such as reaching for breakfast items in the morning rush – yet for many it’s also an overwhelming task begging the question, where to start?

“Organised spaces don’t need to be a fantasy – nor mentally taxing or expensive to create.

“Many of us can add a free standing shelf to the kitchen cupboard, some over door hooks, suction baskets, laundry sorting station or hook system on the garage walls. It’s all about better using the space we already have, while culling the clutter,” says Nicole.

www.lifespace.com.au shares piles of ideas on Nic’s blog and facebook page (www.facebook.com/lifespacestoreandorganise ) to assist a variety of problem areas in the kitchen, bedroom, laundry, bathroom and garage.

Meantime, everyone can try getting organised during National Organising Week by identifying one tidy task at a time. See the tried and tested steps below.

Lifespace Store and Organise is an Adelaide based, Mum and Dad business, delivering home and garage storage products Australia wide. It was borne out of necessity to find diverse items that would maximise Michael and Nicole’s lifespace amid a growing family living in close surrounds.

Australasian Association of Professional Organisers (AAPO) – Steps to getting organized:

Have a vision – Choose your organising challenge and keep it simple. Write down your motivation for organising this space and visualise how you want the space to look, feel and function. Consider one area of your home or office to start on. For example – pantry, office cubicle, home office, children’s bedroom, garage etc. Take a ‘before’ photo and remember your vision if the going gets tough.

Clear & Clean – Clear the area you’ve chosen to organise and clean all surfaces. This is the chance to start with a clean slate and you’ll be amazed how it inspires you to use the space better.

Sort & Purge – Sort your items into categories like Keep, Sell, Donate, Trash, Recycle, Repair. Group items that belong together or perform similar purposes for quick referral and ease of use. Dispose of the items you no longer need responsibly.

Assign, Store & Label – Give the items you have decided to keep an assigned place to live. Choose storage solutions that allow easy access to the items. Use words or pictures to label items so you never forget what you have. Labelling takes the guess work out of finding what you need quickly and easily.

Celebrate – Congratulations! Step back and admire your efforts. Take an ‘after’ photo and compare the two images. Enjoy the clarity of mind as well as your enhanced physical space. Celebrate your success with a well-deserved treat.

Could this be the most unused space in your home - those little holes in cupboards reserved for adjustable shelves?

Then these Fings may offer you the solution with a variety of hanging points.

An inexpensive pack of Fings can provide a variety of hooks for endless simple storage solutions. See the range here - $3.95 a pack, whether it's Fings Mixed Set of Four, 5 Bars (as pictured bottom) or 5 Hooks (as pictured top).

Imagine the endless uses for pantry, kitchen, laundry and bathroom cupboards. I can imagine hanging scissors, razors, glasses, looped water bottles, utensils with hanging loops, plastic bag holder, plastic bag dispensers, create rails for glad wrap rolls....

The Fold Down Hanger Holder creates more hanging space with a simple fold down motion.

Brilliant for preparing tomorrow’s clothes, storing as you iron, or relying on your heating to finish off winter drying. Ideal At $11.95 and perfect for the laundry, walk in robe, bedroom or ensuite.

Click here to read the full advice from Professional Organiser Carolyn Verhoef of Outside The Box Organisation Solutions. It's listed among various hints and tips on our website.

The kids' artwork has been coming home thick and fast around Mother's Day and we all have our little ways of managing it (sometimes openly and sometimes not).

Mine uses the same principal as Professional Organiser Rebecca Mezzino wonderfully lists here.

It's also great to photograph your child holding the artwork to reflect their age and stage - as well as pride - at the time.

Here's what Rebecca had to say on her blog...

This is such a common question I get that I can’t believe I haven’t written a blog post on it!

A Facebook fan asks “Do you have any ideas for storing kids artwork? I have already accumulated a pile of “treasures” and my daughter is only 3. I obviously can’t keep everything, but how do I decide? And I’ll have the double the problem when my youngest starts getting creative. Please help!”

There are several ways to deal with kids’ artwork, so I’ll give you a run-down of a method that works for me and I recommend to the majority of my clients. It might work for you, too.

Firstly, have a place to put all the artwork when it comes in. You can put it on the wall, or in an artist’s folio sleeve, or both (the wall for a month, then the folio or a combination). The folios are designed for one or two pieces of artwork but I’ve shoved 6 month’s worth in there fairly easily! Slide it behind a piece of furniture for safe-keeping. Ours goes behind our buffet.

A2 Artists’ folio – this one from Officeworks

Create a routine in which you regularly (when they are little do it every season, when they are older you can do it twice a year or so), go through the folio and photograph or scan every picture. Have the children pick out a few originals to keep, then recycle the rest (or use it as wrapping paper, or give to family – whatever you like).

The originals that my kids keep go in an A3 display book with plastic sleeves that they can look in any time they like, and is stored in their bedrooms (slid behind a bookcase).  The really special ones get framed.

If they are attached to their artwork this can take some coaxing, and you may get tears, but they do get used to it and if you can create a little slide show of all their artwork on the computer, you’ll win them over – they love it. You could even get a photobook printed of all their creations every couple of years.

It’s important for children to learn that there is a finite amount of space that we live in, and we can’t keep everything. The alternative of having the photographs means you save space and you still keep the memories.

I bet I'm not alone in the struggle to get children to develop a life-long habit of putting things back after themselves... especially their toys.

I've been tearing my hair out at a 4 year olds cry 'But it takes too long'.

So I was excited to read Professional Organiser Rebecca Mezzino's advice here limiting it to a 5 minute challenge.

She writes:

Instead of asking your kids
“Can you please go and clean your room?”,
try rewording it and saying
“Can you please go and spend 5 minutes putting things in their proper homes?”.

The request is much more specific and it’s measurable for them. The limit on time also helps them to not get overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.

It doesn’t matter if the room isn’t finished in 5 minutes, but after another 5 minutes a few hours later, and then the next day, and so on.

With 2 small boys in the house, I'm sick of the angst caused in the toilet. Ensuring you don't run out of paper with this Over Cistern Roll Holder has got to help avoid a couple of the dramas.

How's this for an alternative solution to cupboard storage? Great for bits in the bathroom, Sloppy sink bits or the back of the pantry door.

The pic simply cuts down an over door shoe organiser. You could use the other half for the opposite cupboard.

Hanging Jewellery Organisers are also ideal.

Ready the next days outfit with an easily installed Hanger Holder or over door hook.

The hanger holder folds up out of the way when not in use. Ideal for walk in robe, ensuite, laundry or ironing nook.

If you really hate ironing, then try drip drying your clothes on coathangers (don't spin them until they crease).

The hanger holder is also a great Hang and Hide option to hang those coathangers on. When you're finished fold it neatly back against the wall.

I love the simplicity of these suggestions from a Professional Organiser.... that I couldn't have put as succinctly myself. Thanks to Tanya Lea.

The biggest money waster… Buying stuff you already have! My tip: Always store 'like' items together and in a logical place....

Here's before and after pics of a pantry… by keeping 'like' items together you can see what you need at a glance.

Just pull everything out - sort it into categories - throw out used-by product - clean surfaces - then put it all back, keeping 'like' items together.

Tanya Lea - Declutter Home

There are more Kitchen Hints from Tanya here.

Try transparent stackable fridge bins. You can see what's there and when to re-stock.

The uses for this Junk Draw Organiser are endless. Have you thought about it for a bathroom drawer too, or even office draw?

Good space optimising tools in your wardrobe clean up are the perfect specialty hangers - that also optimise care of your clothes.

We can't believe the popularity of them lately, particularly the Hickson Hanger, swing arm trouser hanger, 4 tier skirt hanger, and coat hanger 3 pack.

Sometimes solving the storage challenge of a much loved item can be a gift in itself. Imagine the gift of buying your own new shoes - coupled with shoe storage to see you collection so far at a glance.

Great for jewellery and handbag enthusiasts too.

Do your kitchen drawers frustrate you no end?

Life really will be easier if you cull half the contents from overun drawers and use some simple dividers to organise the contents.

All sorts of drawer organisers are available now for cutlery, utensils, spices and even modular options to build as required.

Pictured: Sterilite Expanding Cutlery Organiser.

Set up a lego zone to contain building blocks and cart them where you need in the brikbag.

Streamline your start to the day with a few simple steps that help you get out the door faster.

Co-ordinate your daily cosmetics in a transparent cosmetic organiser ready to grab.

Consider a clothes valet or hook to have clothes set to dress.

Jewellery organisers offer a clear view allowing various selections in a hurry.

Add flair to your wardrobe at a glance with your choice from a scarf hanger.

Sick of collecting all the tiny items spread all over the house - or worse still, launching a search for them?

Hanging jewellery storage can be fantastic for hair ties, toys, collector cards, electrical leads and other small collections.

Mount one behind the kids door or hang it on the wall so they can reach in.

Available in 44 pocket and 22 pocket.

Organise your garage by setting up activity zones, grouping tools in one area, sporting goods in another and garden equipment also at the ready.

Using the walls and ceiling with overhead and shelf storage will make better use of the space available. Various storage solutions such as peg boards, labelled containers and open crates allowing for easy access and cleaning.

Elevating what you can using hooks and rails enhances a streamline look.

More garage storage ideas here.

Organise your fridge contents for ready access with some simple stackable fridge bins and caddies or can dispenser racks. 

Ready to get your kitchen cupboards operating efficiently?

A few kitchen space creators, introducing multiple levels or slide out access can make considerable difference.

Pictured: Whitmor Slide Out Basket with Shelf.

Bathroom or Kitchen Cupboard solution? Maximise the full height of your cupboards using free standing storage drawers that are simple to pull out and see the contents.

Great for make-up in the bathroom small hardware accessories in the laundry or hobby and craft goods.

Other cupboard storage options also available.

Everyone has a dodgy bakeware cupboard, with tins that slide around everywhere.

It's time to bannish that baking dish clutter forever with the Aussie made Cakesnake rack... also used to keep platters and cookbooks upright, neat and easily accessible.

What a brilliant Aussie design.

After sharing ideas to rejuvenate your Spring wardrobe layout in the last newsletter... I got a bit frustrated at the clothing options in my wardrobe.

I'd been tackling a fashion embargo for 2012 and was doing great - until I caved last weekend - sick of feeling completely outdated I hit the shops.

Maybe I should have sought some motivation from personal stylist Natalie Tucker who says...

We have enough clothes in our wardrobe right now to last us the next 3 years, but we see a model wearing something fabulous and of course she looks amazing (why wouldn’t she, this is what she is paid for) so we go out and buy that exact same item or even the entire outfit.

Okay, so do you now look amazing? Or rather, you feel completely depleted because somehow it just does not look the same on you?

STOP! Let’s not do it anymore!…it’s time to make a stand!

Why don’t we try only wearing what suits us by using clothes that are currently hanging in our wardrobe, you can do it…so come on.

First of all, take some time to make a date with yourself and your wardrobe, spend 3 hrs on a Sunday afternoon trying absolutely everything on. Below is a guide of items that will have you looking up to the moment, interesting and most of all effortlessly stylish, yes, EFFORTLESSLY STYLISH! Because we all know that really, this does actually take a great deal of effort.

Pull out all of your interesting tops, printed, unique design, unusual collars, fabulous fabrics, button down shirts and lay them on the bed. These are your foundation pieces because they are worn closest to your portrait area (your face). Everyone looks here and often, you never get a second chance to make that first impression!

Grab a blazer…now this could even be just a denim jacket, we all have at least one of those. Try and find one in a colour that makes your top STAND OUT…this means that it will not be black on black or grey on grey. Harsh, I know, but colour is what keeps life interesting.

Next step, put out all of your pants, skirts or jeans. As long as they are in a different colour from both your interesting top and your blazer/denim jacket,you will look fabulous. You now have a great ensemble…but wait, there is more…

NOW TO FINISH! A shoe or boot that is related to your top. It can be the same colour, have a print relationship or just simply be the same depth intensity (dark top, dark shoe…light top, light shoe). If your shoes do not meet this criteria, just find one in your hair colour, you will be book ending your outfit with pizzazz. If you are blonde, in Winter, tan will do the same trick. If you have dark hair, mahogany adds that spice of life.

If you would like to receive some more visual inspiration, just head on over to my Defined Image facebook page. I will give you a daily pic of what I am wearing and maybe, just maybe, you may have some of these items already hanging in your very own closet. I hope to see you there.

NATIONAL ORGANISING WEEK

What is your vision for the perfect home office? Do you want a home office that is not only functional but also lets you find any piece of paperwork you need in a jiffy? Of course you do!

It’s all in the organising systems – and making sure they work for you. Visualise what you would like your home office to look like – how does it look, feel and function? Write it all down or start collecting pictures.

Clear & Clear: It’s time to clear all the paperwork and electronic equipment out of the office and give it a good clean. Box up all the loose items, clear the desk and wipe it down, give the computer a good dusting and remove all the items that don’t belong in the room.

Congratulations you have almost completed your first Organising challenge of National Organising Week. Make the most of this fifth and final step. Let’s celebrate! Look back at what you have achieved.

The home office is often the hardest room of the home to do as paperwork can take a lot of time to sort. Even longer if you have your photographs and those pesky chargers and electronic cords stored here.

Once you have knocked this room on the head you are more than qualified for all the other rooms in the house. Now is the time to take a long bath, go to a movie, buy some flowers or a new diary – anything that celebrates all your hard work. And of course – keep committed to organising that paperwork on a regular basis!

Streamlining our sink area could make the simplest impression on visual clutter in the kitchen.

Try some baskets or shelves to optimise storage beneath the sink, a simple caddy for the bits and subtle towel rail or hook - or this new crystal over door multi-basket.

The right dish rack can revitalise the functionality of the area too.

I needed some daily Tidy Tasks to get me back on track with a more streamlined home after the July school holidays... so I shared these daily on facebook and twitter in case others wanted to join in.

Maybe they're a useful reference for other times - or a weekend blitz to get on top of a few items.

Tidy up and toss from the ensuite cupboard so we can find space again. Container's like these help for bottles of various lotions.

My bathroom buzz has me onto the bathroom drawers today. Ever tried a cutlery, or junk drawer organiser or these smart bins, see this you tube clip when I first set them up.

Delegate a regular TIDY TASK to another member of the household today. Now that my youngest is aged 4 the boys are getting into some simple chores.

Lets clean up beside the washing machine or your laundry dump spot. This narrow roll-in/out trolley might help.

Clean up the kitchen bench top.

Don't step over any more things today. Pick them up and find a home.

Will you find a streamlining of the kitchen sink area rewarding? Some ideas here for above and hidden storage below.

Damp washing getting you down? Find a solution / spot for drying in winter.

This fold away airer is great above my washing machine, especially after kids swimming lessons.

I have to clean out the desk top in tray TODAY or I'll feel disorganised and dysfunctional.

Have you got a dishevelled plastics cupboard? Tackle it today or over the weekend. This can be a good way to keep it together.

Ask yourself 'does this need to be done?' If not don't.

Can it be done in less than 2 minutes, accomplish immediately & forget.

Cap your to-do-list by prioritising. If the task is important enough, swap it for something else that can be removed from your list.

Let it give. Will this make your life richer? Maybe you'll be happier for spending this time when you won't be able to regain the opportunity. (I'm working hard at this to treasure more time with the kids, while they still want me to.)

What comes first when it's time to clean out?

Professional Organiser Rebecca Mezzino can help you find the best approach with these simple tips on how to get started.

I've copied it below for your convenience.

The most common question I get is “Where do I start?”.
starting blocks
For people with a clutter problem, it’s not a simple problem to solve. It can induce a lot of anxiety and many simply throw their hands up in despair and declare it an impossible task.
You have two ways to start:
1. The cull
2. The sort
If you have a highly cluttered space and no room to sort, you need to cull first. That means grabbing a few boxes or garbage bags and assigning them roles – “Rubbish” “Donations” “Give to friends” “Staying” and “Elsewhere in the house”. Then you start at the pile closest to the door and work your way around the room, putting things in their appropriate boxes. Don’t look at the whole space – focus on ONE ITEM AT A TIME ONLY. This will help prevent you getting overwhelmed. If you find it impossible not to ‘see’ the whole room and get anxious, engage a friend (or a Professional Organiser!) to help. You can be in the other room with the boxes, and they can bring you 1-3 items at a time to make decisions on.
If you have a moderately cluttered space, you can sort first. Sorting first helps you make better culling decisions because you can see where you have duplicated and the total volume of ‘stuff’. Keep the culling boxes as outlined above, but sort your items into “like” groups first, then cull. Once you’ve culled you can then find storage appropriate with the group of items and the space you have for them. Again, just start at the first pile you see and work on one item at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Dedicate a small amount of time every day, one item at a time and you’ll get there.
As Lao-Tzu said (not literally, but this common translation and interpretation is the one most suited to this circumstance!) ”The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step“.

Rotating toys periodically has been working a treat for me in recent years - just this week some supposedly long lost cars and a stuffed toy have re-invigorated play (and avoided some brotherly disputes).

See Professional Organiser Tanya Lea's toy rotation scheme on her Declutter Home blog which examines home and office organisation.

I've pasted it below too for your convenience.

Are you sick and tired of your kids 50 million billion toys?! Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration but kids do have a lot of toys these days. With yearly birthday parties, Christmas presents, Easter goodies and over generous Aunties (like myself), kids end up with a lot of toys. And if you don’t declutter regularly they can get out of control!

I recommend the once yearly toy cull, or even more regularly if you can. Make it a ritual. I like the idea that after each birthday your child decides which toys he or she would like to give to charity. They could even choose which charity. If they get 10 new toys for their birthday, they have to give 10 to charity. Ok, this might seem kind of harsh… but teaching your kids to give to others is a great lesson, right?!

With the remaining toys setup a toy rotation system:

Purchase some plastic tubs… or fabric boxes, whatever you like (buy two to start). You can buy super cheap tubs from Bunnings Warehouse, Officeworks or your local $2 Shop.
Go through all of your kid’s toys and put half of them away in the tubs. Label the tubs with ‘toy rotation’ and the ‘date’. Include toys that need adult supervision, e.g. ones with lots of pieces.
You can then simply store the tubs away out of the kids’ reach for a rainy day or rotate them every month or so.
You will now be left with half the toys, half the mess and it will take you half the time to tidy up. And don’t worry, your kids will still have enough to play with!

It's officially winter on Friday and my wardrobe is already chaotic - having loaded it with cumbersome winter woolies.

Seek out smarter use of your wardrobe space with Closet Max storage options that can provide a second tier of hanging space, tiered specialty hangers and even hanging space bags to condense those items used less frequently.

Additional product ideas in our wardrobe organisers category.

Love this little gem shared by Adelaide Professional Organiser, Rebecca Mezzino of Clear Space Organising Services.

"We have so many little electrical gadgets in our homes these days that it's easy to misplace them, their chargers and/or their cables. This is a great,
simple way to keep track of them; a shoe organiser and little tags." (photo copyright Hector Sanchez)

Follow the Clear Space Organising Services Facebook posts where she also puts her 22 pocket jewellery organiser to great use.. and found a quirky decorative piece for earrings - hanging in the holes of a grater!

Remove what you haven't used this month and if you're not willing to toss it altogether, store in a plastic container of items not needed regularly.

Remaining goods should be sorted according to size and use. I have cutlery in the top drawer, utensils in the second, other cooking aids in the third and glad rolls and bags etc in the fourth. The junk drawer has disappeared, replaced by a battery organiser in the cupboard and a tray of those small hardware items and tapes.

Draw organisers are a must to keep them in shape. (Pictured: Sterilite Expanding Cutlery Tray)

See my bathroom drawer organising clip here.

Crunch time - to control our boys' cluttered bathroom draw.

The small draw limited my options, presenting a toss up between the new Double Up Cutlery Tray and the Small Multi Bin Pack.

I liked the idea of a top sliding tray to maximise space, but found the opportunity to store some items upright in the smaller sections even more useful.

The 8 piece bins are a hit, with interlocking lips keeping them firmly together and not sliding around.

So far the boys have kept everything still in it's space.

NB: We now have the interlocking bins available individually so you can decide the combination that best suits your drawers and requirements.

See my bathroom drawer organising clip here.

A hanging sweater organiser (with or without drawers) can provide a central spot for things the children need to pack each day such as PE gear, books or forms that are due back. Maybe it's even a clean uniform for little ones dressing themselves?

This can suit hall cupboard or any wardrobe. Maybe a shoe version is more suitable for narrower spaces?

I find over door hooks a great central spot to return school bags and hats.

Different preferences will consider whether they're best in the child's room, behind the internal garage door or discreetly behind the laundry or bathroom doors.

Use fridge/pantry baskets to store each child's ready made lunch for them to grab and put into their lunch bags.

Even name each basket so they know which basket contains their sandwich, fruit, drink and yoghurt or other treats.

I love this idea by Professional Organiser Rebecca Mezzino - a new clothes embargo for 2012.

What a great way to truly re-visit or toss items in your wardrobe that are otherwise wasting space and cluttering our minds.

Here's her details.

I recently thought I might try something new this year. Something that I haven’t done before, and that many people couldn’t do if their life depended on it (and that others regularly do it rather easily).
I decided I wasn’t going to buy any new clothes in 2012. For the whole year.
I’m the kind of person that gets bored easily – I like to update my wardrobe through the year, and always have a bit of a spree at the start of winter and summer. I have been long exploring the idea that you can be happier if you can accept what you have rather than always wanting more. I have been practising it a lot, and wondered if I could take it this one step further.
So, I’m going to have a new clothes embargo in 2012. No new clothes or accessories for a WHOLE YEAR. These are the rules I have made:
Replacement of essential items that have been damaged are allowed. By essential I mean that there is only one of them in my wardrobe, and it’s needed for work or something important (like underwear!)
Gift cards can be redeemed (I have none, but if anyone wants to join me they can do this)
Clothes-swapping and borrowing from friends is perfectly acceptable
Clothes received as gifts are also acceptable (I have to wait until December for my birthday so this will be of no use to me!)
Accessories are included – no new shoes, jewellery or handbags either (unless conditions satisfy rule #1)
Why am I doing this? A few reasons:
I bought more clothes and jewellery this year than I ever have (BEFORE I decided on the embargo!) and I think I have everything I need to get by
It will teach me to be patient
It will teach me how to be more creative with my wardrobe instead of just buying something when I get bored
It will save me money (this is a minor reason; I’ve never really spent a load on clothes or shoes)
I just want to see if I can do it!
It will show me that I don’t need new things to be happy
I won’t have to go shopping (I don’t like it!)
It’s something fun to blog about and share with others
My wardrobe is full.
Would you like to join me? It will be good for you, I promise! You can attend the Facebook event, and follow @rebeccamezzino and use the hashtag #fashem2012 to join in the discussion on Twitter.
Tell me what you think – could YOU do it?

I think I've settled the final piece in my puzzle to control homely clutter.

It's a tall, dark and handsome character. Should I feel guilty?

For me it's all about enhancing the flow of items arriving into our house, but importantly balanced with those leaving on time, without serious consequence and keeping the household on track.

This tallboy in the entrance hall has become a sorting station for the otherwise clown-like juggling of uninvited materials. Yep, those things that clutter our brains and cause unwanted stress as we shift them from place to place and procrastinate about making the tough decision.

Some incoming matter we know we won't process, so bin it or pass it on before it further penetrates our home or mind. Others we wish to absorb or have no choice due to the consequences that can arise.

At the moment I seem more focussed on moving items out - probably a symptom of a small home as we strive to make space after a child's birthday, prepare for Christmas and ensure items we've outgrown find useful homes.

I may have found what works for me.... but think about what fits into your routine? What presents logical steps so that you're not wasting time and effort back tracking and you stick to it! The solution should also keep evolving to keep pace with changing family dynamics.

The tallboy is just one component of our broader clutter proofing plan. Stay tuned for the paperwork, quick tidy up principal and other ideas that work for me - at least they do currently.

Professional Organiser, Rebecca Mezzino, has got ideas to solve some of the biggest causes of clutter, that mess up our efforts for a nice clear bench, walkway, or perhaps even freeing up the spare room.

She says the worst perpetrators for stuff homelessness are:
• Things that don't belong to you
• Things that need to be repaired or returned and
• Things that need a decision to be made.
They need a home where they can be grouped for efficient sorting, returning, repairing and 15 minutes in your routine to make the tough decisions.

Read more about this on Rebecca's blog.

Here is the solution to my dilemma while trying to tidy our walk in robe. The handbag organiser protects and organises while also eliminating wasted shelf space.

This project was the culmination of a great weekend clean out, starting at one end of the house with a garbage bag & a big tub to collect items to be returned to their rightful place.

Items for donation hit the hall way.

Getting organised and enhancing storage doesn't have to be an expensive or massively time consuming task.

Set aside one tiny task at a time within a single room to make the staged progress more manageable.

School holiday bliss. No alarms for the school run, or cut lunches and a chance to just 'be with' our kids - at least until we have moments of wanting to tear our hair out.

For me holidays always end up being another chance of culling clutter, re-establishing a sense of organisation and getting on top of things as we strive for efficiency in the daily routine.

Enjoy some quality time without chasing from shop to shop. Pick up home storage and organisational needs online instead.

I started with my kitchen last school holidays, systematically removing all products from one cupboard at a time.

I found low cost plate stackers, pantry racks, baskets and shelf organisers invaluable in doubling my cupboard space.

Also try over door hooks and rails as well as securing spice racks inside cupboard doors.