Disorganized Organization in Your Home

by Ann Hayward 03/31/2019

You’ve read all those articles on how to organize, how to arrange, how to store, and yet your home still looks a mess. Perhaps you’ve tried to follow too many ideas and consequently haven’t succeeded at any of them. Here are a few “organizational hints” that you can do without so that you truly succeed in your goals.

Countertop containers

Despite the lovely magazine spreads and reality TV reveals, piling the top of your counter with jars, floral arrangements in vases, decorative cake-stands and other beautiful pieces readily contributes to even more clutter. If the item on your countertop isn’t something you use regularly, it’s likely to collect dust and water spots. If it’s near your meal prep and wash-up areas, you’ll often find it has interesting food spatters too. That just means more washing, dusting, cleaning for you to do.

Empty landscape

Of course, making the countertops too clean can make life, in general, more of a chore. So, if you make smoothies every day, keep that blender on the counter in a handy location. If you always bake, make room on the surface for your mixer. And if you’re a crockpot or insta-pot chef, keep it right where you use it. Otherwise, you’re regularly cleaning, clearing, and putting things away that you’ll turn right back around and take out just a few hours later. Instead, be sure to wipe your countertop appliances down every day in case they caught some of those food splashes.

Glass-front glare

Installing beautiful glass-front cabinetry can add value to your kitchen, but unless you have room in other cabinets for your regular stuff, mismatched items piled into your cabinets add to a messy look. If you have glass-front cupboard doors but not enough space, simple line the glass with a decorative film to give it a frosted look while it hides your clutter.

Rethink your space

Just because your mom always kept the dishes in the cabinet to the left of the sink and the glasses on the right doesn’t mean you have to. In fact, if your kitchen has large drawers, stacking plates and bowls in them. Having dishware lower down allows children to participate in setting the table and emptying the dishwasher. If you use plastic ware for extra storage, put it in a plastic basket along with the lids in a lower shelf to make it easier for little ones to reach it when they’re being helpful.

Of course, if the only solution to finding more organization space in your kitchen is to have a new kitchen, talk to your real estate agent and start looking today.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]