relocationSummer is the busiest time for people to move or relocate to a new residence – while children are out of school and there are no winter weather issues to deal with and schedules are less filled with business or volunteer activities. This past summer I have worked with quite a number of clients getting them moved into a new or newly renovated home. That means unpacking lots of boxes, sorting items and finding just the right “home” for the person or family to always know where they reside, have easy access to them and really know just what they have on hand – whether it is cleaning or food items, dishes, clothing, blankets or whatever. It is really satisfying for people to be able to make the most of their space and have a clear and logical location for their belongings.

So often in the past, I have worked with people struggling to get organized because they moved into their home and just started stuffing things in cabinets, closets and other spaces without thinking through whether it really made sense to be there or what the access needed to be, etc. They just want things “put away” and think they will get to it later. Usually “later” never happens, as people resume their busy lives after the move. It is better to take a little extra time to determine where things should go rather than have trouble finding or getting to things or never really knowing where something resides. Once boxes are unpacked, you might want to post on craigslist.com or freecycle.com to sell or donate your boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper, rather than just throwing them all away and adding to the landfill. Help someone else out and get rid of a lot of mess fairly easily.

Some people make the effort to get rid of a few things before the move so they don’t pay to pack and move unnecessary or unused items. This is a really smart thing to do if you are able and so inclined. Other folks really don’t realize just how much they have before the move or simply don’t have the time to do this task or are not sure if they will need or use an item or piece of furniture in the new home. So, as I open boxes and group items and establish the “home” for things, there is frequently lots of miscellaneous items that don’t make the “keep” list. These things are usually donated to a charitable organization. Keep a list of items and you can get the charitable tax deduction for this, help out some organization and make your space more functional and less crowded.

While unpacking and putting things away try to remember a few of the basic organizational principles, such as, grouping like items together (whether clothing, cleaning items, food, serving pieces or sports equipment), think “accessibility” so you can easily get to the things you use most often, make the most of your space, including the vertical space (can you add a shelf in a high cabinet, closet or pantry), establish a “home” for things and stick to it – don’t let items find multiple, random storage spots. As with many things in life, a little thought and planning can take you a long way to helping you get and stay organized and in control of your space, so you can really enjoy your new home.