Sunday, March 8, 2009

How To Get Organized For Good Step I: Define Your Vision For The Space



Being organized comes naturally to some, lucky for the rest it's a learnable skill. Like with the series How to Build and Edit Your Wardrobe, this is about learning the tools to be organized for the long term. It's about using your space in an efficient way that works around your habits and desired lifestyle. Most importantly knowing what you have and where to find it so you can actually use it! The following steps done in this order will help you achieve this:

1. DEFINE THE VISION FOR YOUR SPACE
2. DETERMINE FUNCTION FOR EACH AREA/ROOM
3. EDIT AND SORT
4. REASSESS WHAT'S LEFT
5. DESIGN AND INSTALLATION


Step #1. Define The Vision For Your Space
you need: pad and a pencil

Ask yourself the following questions:
  • What do you like about your space?
  • What do you want to change about your space?
  • How do you want to feel in your space?
Example responses: I want my space to feel calm, comfortable and inviting. A space where I can relax after work and be more creative...

Then make a list of all the functions you would like your space to support. Some people think the can't possibly do everything in their space they want so they don't even try. (Remember I'm in NYC where 700 sqft is a lot of room!) But the point of this process is to help you figure out what's most important to you and focus your space around that.

Example responses: trade my full size bed to a queen, space for overnight guests, home office with desktop computer, entertain; small dinner or cocktail parties, creative space to paint, write, or read, exercise, would like to get a cat or small dog...

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