Quick update: The dining room you saw completed last week has successfully remained clean this week as well! Woo Hoo!
Now, on to another room. I moved from the dining room to the living room because they are adjacent to each other, but I soon discovered my living room doesn’t have much “stuff” in it. Really, the worst place in the living room is my “office” area. *blush*
So, after I tidied and decluttered the rest of the living room, I had to figure out what to do with my office area. (I did manage to get rid of a bunch of magazines, about 1/4 of Micah’s toys and some china from the bottom of the china cabinet that still had tags on it!)
So, what about that office area?? Recently, I put these shelves up behind my chair so I could try to tidy up my area:
Notice how they are disorganized and cluttered despite the fact that I put them there in order to organize my life?? Plus, that plastic sack you see next to the shelves? THAT, my friends, is a trash sack. Good idea (cuz I’ve always got trash to throw away), but UGLY!
So, I sorted and sifted and got rid of the two baskets that were next to my desk by pitching stuff and organizing it neatly into the shelves. I also added a crate specifically for school stuff (I do a lot of schooling from this chair because it is the most comfortable for my sciatica). I added an unused trash can I found downstairs and here’s the finished product!
Now onto the hallway…
This is my linen closet:
Yikes! That almost looks like a headless person lying down! It’s really towels, mixed in with games, but it might as well be a person as messy as it is in there!
I really wanted to downsize in the game department because there are even more in a shelf overhead! We really only play a few of the games, so why keep so many around? Travel light, Amy…you can do it!
So, here’s the final cut:
It may not look like it, but I did actually get rid of half my stuff in that closet! Yay!
I worked through the drawers of the linen closet as well, getting rid of a doorstop of a laptop and several other unloved items.
So, how about you? What did you tackle this week? Got any pictures to share? I’d love to hear about it!
Candy says
I have my office area in the living room as well. I try to tidy it up a few times each day, else my office would take over me, LOL.
I did some reorganizing on April 19th, of which I tried to remember to snap some pics. You can see the picture here:
http://myblessedhome.blogspot.com/2010/04/reorganizing-some-cabinets.html
I was working on the kitchen.
Christine (iDreamofClean) says
Great Job! The comment about the headless person had me cracking up! I’m still chuckling!!!
.-= Christine (iDreamofClean)´s last blog ..Chores, Tide, and a Gift Card =-.
Laney says
OK, you have inspired me. I have been cleaning out even before you posted the 1/2 your stuff post originally. I am making amazing progress and today made even more. 🙂
Today I cleaned out the homeschool cabinet. Read this as “the scariest place in our house”. AND I listed my first book online today. I have never posted anything for sale before, but after seeing your list, I thought I would give it a go.
Amy says
I’ve not made it to the ACTUAL homeschool closet; however, that is nowhere near the scariest place in my house. We are getting ready to hit the scary places…bedroom and basement playroom…AHHHHHH! I’m going to need some hand-holding! lol
Laney says
I feel your pain. Keep in mind in our oh so spacious home…we have 3 closets. Count them 1.2.3. One of these belongs to my husband and first of all, I would NEVER dream of touching his stuff. Second of all, the man never makes a mess. lol!
Before your first 1/2 stuff post I was already in full clean out and nest mode. While dh had 2 of the children for the weekend, I tackled closet #1 and closet #2. I just stand and look at them in all of their organized glory. 🙂
So, that left the cabinet in top running for scary places. 😉
I have also cleaned out all dressers and done the great clothing swap by going through those enormous bins of hand-me-down clothes. The kids and I are outfitted for the summer. The extras are already at the church clothing closet. And the tubs are stacked neatly waiting for the next seasonal change and/or growth spurt.
OH, and my hubby fixed us some triple bunks (they are awesome) so we actually have room for this baby. (I am not a fan of co-sleeping.)
Wow, I just wrote you a book on your blog. 😮
Amy says
Ooo! I wanna see pics of these triple bunks!
Debi says
Good for you!! Afterwards you will be so glad you did this. I plunged in a few years ago and got rid of things I haven’t missed since. The space is nice too!
Heide says
Oh Amy~so glad to see I’m not alone in my pursuit of order AND simplicity! I’ve inherited those depression era genes for keeping things which causes clutter and I’ve been working on this for…ummm…months! We currently live in 1200 sq. ft, and plan to move to 432 in that little cabin I was telling you about…that means I have to get rid of 2/3 of my stuff, preferably more as the basement and a couple of outbuildings are full too!
I do the picture thing too, to keep myself encouraged…..you are brave to put them on line, but I love it and thank you for your courage! I’ll be doing more de-cluttering this coming week!!
Blessings!
Amy says
I keep thinking, IF we ever get to move from the city, I will be glad I did this! The last move about did me in w/ all the STUFF! Good luck! It’s a chore that is well worth it!
Tina says
Your office space looks amazing! I need to work on mine today.
This past week, I didn’t make it through all the rooms in the house but I did go through everything in the attic and decreased our rotating toys from 8 rubbermaid tubs to 4! Also took a couple bags of trash out of there and got rid of lots of knick knacks that I don’t have room for but felt I needed to keep for this or that reason. Definatly decreased our attic storage by 1/2. Yay!
Btw,I did the entire attic which is the same size as the foot print of my house in less than 3 hours.
It really is amazing how fast decluttering goes once you start.
Amy says
Wow! That is fantastic! I’ve got a bit more to do upstairs before I can tackle the toy issue downstairs. I’m a little nervous about it and may need to put them in tubs first before actually throwing them out, but I’m excited too to get rid of things! It does feel sooooo good! Congrats on the hard work!
Young Wife says
Great job! I’m working on our office, too.
Colleen says
You’re doing great, Amy!
Look at what I’ve got ahead of me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4txzy4vrpMYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4txzy4vrpMY
Amy says
Ahhhh! I love it! Thanks for sharing…can’t wait to see the AFTER!