Hi everyone. I don't post here often but we just recently moved into our house that we built & I really want to declutter. But I am in need of some suggestions. Here are a few pictures of my computer desk, my dresser, DH's dresser & the end tables we put next to them to keep my Avon stuff & bills. I know to some this might not look that bad but it is driving me nuts. Help! What can I do with all of the papers, etc without making our bedroom look even worse?? TIA!
Hmmm, I see a lot of empty space in the desk unit. First, I'd clear the dresser (leave the printer there if you must) and place the photographs on the dresser or hang 2 on each side of the dresser beside the mirror, one above the other. THAT's all. Dresser done.
Next, what is currently in the shelving portion of the desk? Have you sorted through it yet to be sure you actually still need all of it? What are you left with? I find it helps to visualize where things should go if I lump similar items into piles. i.e. if I come up with a pile of papers the size of a tv, I know they won't fit in a backet the size of a toaster.
Go through your daily/weekly/monthly routines in your head. Plan to keep the items used most often easiest to reach. Less used items can go lower. Adjust if needed for any specific item that MUST BE out of a toddler's reach.
If you can give us more specifics about what you have to put in the desk area and what activities you do at the desk, I'm sure we could help more. All I can make out are the CD's; for those you can buy a binder (space-saving; throw out all the cases) or a basket (keep in the cases) which will make it look tidier. Ikea has 'Bastant' baskets which are just perfect for this.
For your paperwork, can you get a portable file box, either cardboard or plastic, and categorize it in files? This can sit under the desk tidily. Then just keep an action file on the desk top. This would be - orders to fill/deliver etc, bills to pay, items to file. once filled or paid, put into file folder. Once a week file that folder into the box.
I'm not sure what else, your pics are dark on my puter
Thanks so much for replying! I appreciate it! I'm so bad at organizing! lol
As far as the shelving on the desk, basically all that is there is cd's in the top 2 shelves. As well as the printer paper. The 3rd shelf is the cleaning stuff for the computer....wipes for the monitor & air thing for the keyboard. And some more cd's. I love the idea of using a cd case. Brilliant! I never thought about that! I think that would be perfect & would be great cause then I'd actually be able to see all the cd's we have. Most are cd's with pictures on them, games & tools for the pc. And the bottom one has the speaker. Yes DH bought "ME" surround sound for the computer for Christmas.
Basically what I do at the computer desk is surf the internet of course (LOL), pay the bills since most of that is online, I also place my Avon orders. And that is about it.
I love the idea about filing the papers weekly. I think that is a lot of the problem. I don't have a file box or file folder to put anything so it just piles up.
Thank you again so much for all of your help! I appreciate it. Sorry the pictures are so dark. I have a cheap, crummy digital camera. No matter what I do, the pics are dark unless you are up close....and that's even with using the flash. Grrrrrr!
I use one of these with files labeled 'Active projects' ' Bills to be Paid' 'To do' 'Waiting for Invoice' and one for each of the last 3 months or so in which I put completed tasks and paid bills. I pay a bill and immediately put it in the month. Then when the box starts getting too fat, I bring a couple of months down to the long-term files. That way I keep recent months right there at the desk in case I have to refer back to something, and I don't have to refile.
I don't put my orders in the month files since in my case I refer to them quite often. I keep them in a binder as well as printouts of price lists, shipping charts, time zone chart, notes from suppliers for reference, etc...
You could keep your 'new order forms' in one file, 'orders to place', 'orders in progress', 'orders completed' (could go by month also). If you can keep one cubby empty or space on top or under the desk for a large basket for orders to delivered and returns. [not sure how Avon works these days] Also files for 'bills to pay', 'to do' [or combine into an action file] and then 'completed' or by month.
If you don't have much of a budget right now for baskets and file boxes, cereal boxes sliced open at the long end hold file folders well. Turn inside out or paint or mac-tac them if you don't want to see the cereal pics. You can even make file folders themselves out of cereal boxes.
papers and clothes are my worst nightmare! it is a bit hard to see...but..
One day I spent the whole day organizing my 20+ piles. I now have a basket for bills, and one for filing. I put all my receipts in an expandable folder under the month. This way, at least they are all in one place come tax time!
I do my filing as often as I can. I put everything in ring binders. I know that is more work than folders, but I find when I need something, it is easier and neater.
Another thing I can recommend is flylady.net. They send out great "hotspot" reminders. When I see them, I actually try to get my "new" piles in control. I think some of us are just born to have piles.........
I had to recently do the same thing with my desk, but with the help of my SIL it s all better now (at least the files anyway)!
If you can get some one to come over and go through paperwork for you than it will help greatly.My SIL came and sorted all of my paperwork and labeled file folders and put them straight into the file drawer.
As far as your avon stuff see if you can find a little piece of furniture that has drawers that you can hide it all in. Sometimes not seeing it helps to refresh you. You may need to go into the cabinet once every few weeks and readjust your inventory, but at least you won't be bothered by seeing it.
I have a really nifty file cabinet I got as a teenaer at a thrift shop, it has three drawers the top one for pens and pencils and stuff and then two drawers for files, then it has a door on the right side. It sounds like something like that would be perfect for you.
I use the door for all of my ebay stuff.
The last suggestion I have for you after you get the desk and dressers done, if you haven't tried it already, go to flylady.net and try to take some stuff away from there. It has done a world of wonders for me after I finally figured out how to make it work for me. I tried it like 5 times before I figured out the secret to success for flylady. You have to start it by making a journal. Then everything else does fall into place.
Let me know if I can help anymore, I would off to come help, but I live in Florida and I think that would be quite a ride to get to you!! {{hugs}}
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Mother to 2, Auntie to 13 and then some!
Need Some Suggestions
I never thought about that! I think that would be perfect & would be great cause then I'd actually be able to see all the cd's we have. Most are cd's with pictures on them, games & tools for the pc. And the bottom one has the speaker. Yes DH bought "ME" surround sound for the computer for Christmas. 
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