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Celebrate Your Garage

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A clutter free and organized garage is worth celebrating!

Can you celebrate parking your car in the garage?

Marla Dee

It’s time to celebrate!

We’ve spent the month clearing out the garage and the car. These are big areas that collect a lot of clutter so it’s time to step back and enjoy the new space and tidiness.  With every clutter clear, we encourage you to celebrate the outcome!

If you want all the juicy blogs and more – read here. And remember you can use the one page guides for your garage and your car that we designed just for you.

 

Here are some fun ideas for celebrating:

  • Host a PARTY!  Invite your friends, cook a great meal and set up the food & beverages in your tidy garage.
  • Share your story – Take pictures and please share them on Social Media. We want to celebrate with you. Use #CSOrganizeGarage.
  • Deep Clean – Hire someone to come do a deep clean for you and detail your car as well.
  • Paint – Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls or floor!
  • Containers – Take these areas to the ultimate level by using a storage system and containers. Check out some of our favorites below.
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa,

The elfa System, by The Container Store,​ is our favorite for storage needs. This system offers many choices and organizes tools and supplies in minimal space. Elfa Ventilated Shelves make the most of wall space by storing items off the floor.

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For all those little things that the kids toss around the car, here’s a great item to keep on hand. There are so many items to use for storage in your car to keep those extra items tidy rather than tossed around the seats and floor.

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It’s really fun once you declutter to take the important items and get them organized. The Container Store has lots of great ideas for all areas of your garage and car. Check them out and start envisioning the organizing and tidy spaces where you can find all your items easily.

Click here for The Container Store’s full array of car and garage organizing solutions.

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa, Gladiator
Your Guides, Marla Dee and Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Car

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Make your car a happy place to be each day!

Are you calm or distracted when you are driving?
A cluttered car can affect your focus and peace of mind.


 – Marla Dee

If you were looking inside your car right now, what would you see? Is there clutter, trash, homeless items you haven’t dealt with? Because we are in the car so often, it is easy to have the clutter buildup.

Studies have found that a cluttered car can increase the risk of accidents. It’s scary to think about that fact but it’s true! Items hanging from the rearview mirror, piled up to minimize visibility and even items blowing around with open windows, all have an impact on our focus when we are driving.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© For Your Car Guide

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for the whole car including specific areas such as the glovebox and console.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about the look, feel and function?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff that doesn’t belong here, like donations and garbage?
  • Breathe deeply and tap into how you feel when you drive. Are you calm and present? Scattered and frenzied? Perhaps you have never noticed before.

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you really want. We feel better and are more focused when our cars are clean and free of distractions.

  • How do you want your car to look, feel and function?
  • Create an online board of images that inspire you.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you want.
  • Is your car used primarily for commuting? Or do you take off on day adventures and road trips? What else would you like to do?
  • Be open to scheduling standing time to clean, vacuum and wash your car.
  • Is it time for you to purchase a new/new-to-you vehicle? If so, add this to your plan of action.

DO IT – Take the steps to get it done. Pick a weekend and make this happen. You will be so happy you did! 

  • Just get it done. Start by hauling everything out and putting things into boxes to go through the system below. Take it to be washed, wiped down, and vacuumed. Then put back only the items you really use and need. Get honest about what you really need.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System on the stuff you hauled out (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save time, energy, and money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/systems.
  • Why not create a relationship with your car… name it, make it smell good, or put on stickers if that makes you happy. Get creative and have fun.
  • Once you complete this project, take time to celebrate. It might even feel like a new vehicle. Go for a leisurely drive and soak up the difference in how your car feels.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© For Your Car Guide

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa, Gladiator
Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Garage

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Make room to park your car in the garage!

The garage is the “quick in the moment” dumping ground

for stuff going in and out of the house.

 – Marla Dee

Twenty-five percent of people with 2-car garages don’t park in them at all. A third can only park one car, largely due to garage clutter. (U.S. Dept. of Energy study) and 24% of homeowners are embarrassed to leave their garage doors open. (Impulse Research survey).

Use the Clear & Simple Way to clutter clear your garage. You’ll love parking your car there, enjoy having things organized and might even want to show it off!

 

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© For Your Garage Guide

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions for the whole garage including specific areas such as tool and equipment storage.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about the look, feel and function?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff that doesn’t belong here, like donations and past time stuff?
  • Be honest… is your garage a dumping ground because you just don’t know what else to do with the stuff?

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you want the most for this space. The garage is often the first place we see/enter as we arrive home. It matters.

  • How do you want your garage to look, feel and function?
  • Create an online board of images that inspire you.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you want.
  • What do you want most from your garage? (i.e. to park cars, storage for tools, yard equipment, outdoor gear, etc.)
  • Allow yourself to think differently about the garage. For example, would you appreciate having the walls finished? Look at pictures for inspiration.
  • What do you want to add to your garage, like shelves and containers?

DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Look on your calendar and set up time for the transformation!

  • Choose an area to start with. For the garage specifically, we suggest breaking things down into categories and tackling one at a time (i.e. yard tool and equipment, hand and power tools, sports equipment, outdoor gear, decorations, home maintenance items, donations).
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System for the category (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/steps/.
  • Enjoy shopping for the shelves and containers you want and need.

Once you complete each category, take time to celebrate. We know you will feel a sense of freedom as you move through each one.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© For Your Garage Guide

 

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa

Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Celebrate Your Kitchen & Pantry

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Take time to celebrate the big and little things!

We love everything about our kitchen now! We spend more time there than anywhere else. I’m so glad we took the time to do it right!

B.P.

You deserve to celebrate!

This year of 2020 we are helping you transform all areas of your life and space. This month we have focused on clutter clearing, organizing and beautifying your kitchen! We hope this month has been fun and transformative. If you want all the juicy blogs and more – read here. And remember you can use the one page Kitchen Guide we designed just for you.

Here are some fun ideas for celebrating.

  • Host a PARTY! Invite your friends, cook a great meal and have a blast.
  • Share your story – Take pictures and please share them on Social Media. We want to celebrate with you. Use #CSOrganizeKitchen.
  • Deep Clean – Hire someone to come do a deep clean for you? Oh yes!!
  • Paint – Get a fresh paint job in a color you love!
  • Beauty – Add fresh flowers or fruit to the center of your countertop! 
  • Containers – Take your kitchen to the ultimate level by getting the most practical and beautiful containers. Check out some of our favorites below:

 

 

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Organize Your Kitchen, Organize Your Pantry, Container Store, elfa

The elfa System, by The Container Store, is our favorite for the pantry (and other storage areas). You can customize where you want your shelves, add different sizes of drawers, add freestanding units under shelves, and other smart functions. All elfa components are adjustable, so the solution is completely flexible! Note: remember to use the back of the pantry door.

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Talk about handy! For use on a cabinet shelf or beneath a sink, these handled storage baskets make it easy to store like items together and then grab them all at one time. They are ideal for storing sauce packets, spices, nuts and snacks, or baking supplies in upper and lower cabinets. The comfortable handle at the front of the basket allows you to pull the basket out to gain full access to the contents.

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Organize Your Kitchen, Organize Your Pantry, Container Store, elfa

Remember the inside of your drawers. Rather than throwing all the stuff inside and opening to a distaster every time, pick out containers that work. By choosing the material, color and function that works for your drawers, you will be happy every time you open them. You can have wood, clear, or colored containers. Have fun!

Click here for The Container Store’s full array of drawer organizers.

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Organize Your Kitchen, Organize Your Pantry, Container Store, Bamboo Drawer Organizer

Your Guides, Marla Dee and Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Pantry

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An organized pantry means a happy, healthy family!

Cleaning is my favorite way to relax. I clear things out and get rid of the stuff I don’t need. When the food pantry and the refrigerator are organized, I feel less stressed. 

Jennifer Morrison

Take a look inside your pantry just for fun! Can you find what you want and put away the groceries? It seems the food just builds up and before you know it there are years worth of expired food, random stuff shoved onto shelves and no space for the new to come in. Let’s use See it. Map it. Do it. to transform your pantry. When it is organized:

  • You will spend less money
  • Eating healthy is easier
  • Cooking is more enjoyable

Get Your Kitchen Steps GUIDE 

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Have each person answer the questions below. When you are done, take time to share with each other.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you love about the look, feel and function?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Do you have easy access to everything? Are shelves labeled?
  • Are there things in your pantry that don’t belong there?
  • Are you storing items besides food, like servings dishes, and appliances?

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you want. Go after what you really desire. The energy in your pantry contributes to how you eat and how you feel about yourself, your body and your health.

  • How do you want your pantry to look, feel and function?
  • Create an online board of images that inspire you.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you want.
  • Do you to store items such as serving dishes, and small appliances?
  • Do you have a system for rotating new food purchases and using the older items first, like FIFO (first in, first out)?

DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Look on your calendar and set up time for the transformation! You are going to love this.

  • Choose which area you want to start with. We suggest starting small and building up from there. For example, you could clear out expired food and then do different categories such as canned goods, snacks, etc.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System for the area (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/systems.
  • Shop for the shelving and containers you really want and need.

Once you complete each part of the project, take time to celebrate. We are certain you will feel empowered around food choices and enjoy cooking for yourself and loved ones.

Download the Kitchen Steps Guide

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Organize Your Pantry
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Organize Your Kitchen, Organize Your Pantry, Container Store, elfa

Your Guide, Marla Dee.

I love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.