Today I am thrilled to have guest blogger and Richmond VA professional organizer Erin Podbielniak, owner and organizing specialist of theNeatNiche, providing us tips on getting our gift wrapping gear under control:
“Looking to get organized for the upcoming holidays? Look no further. Here are some easy tips from me, your Richmond VA professional organizer, to help you get started!
I’ve often been asked whether, as a professional organizer, my house is perfectly organized. Well, the short answer is no! Even organizers have to reorganize from time to time. The pictured closet is from my own home, and it’s my gift-wrapping closet. With the holidays around the corner, I couldn’t easily see what supplies I had because I’d neglected to maintain the closet’s organizational system (in other words, I got lazy and started tossing things in!).
As I’ll be beginning Christmas shopping sooner than later, I wanted to get a sense of what I already purchased to give and whether I need any additional supplies. In theory this closet is home to gift wrap, bubble wrap, tissue paper, tape, scissors, bows/ribbons, bags and boxes of various sizes, and gifts to be given that I purchased in advance.
Every home should have a centralized gift-wrap station, but these kinds of items can be tough to store because they’re strange sizes and shapes. So the first step to organizing the closet is to take items out of the space to be organized – you can’t set up a system for storage if you don’t know exactly what you’re storing. As you pull items out of the area you’re organizing, sort them into categories. In the case of my gift closet, my categories were wrapping supplies (wrapping paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap), containers (boxes, bags), tools (tape, scissors, sticky gift tags), and gifts to give.
Once you have pulled everything out and have sorted into categories, determine if there are items that should not be returned to the space. Beat-up boxes, damaged gift bags, bits of wrapping paper, etc. are not usable items, so they should be recycled or tossed. Items that belong elsewhere in the home – such as the light bulb in the upper left of my closet – should be returned to their proper location.
Next, if you have small items, such as bows or small bags/boxes, consider corralling them in a larger container. You can see in the “after” picture of my closet I’ve used a larger box to contain the small gifts I’ve already purchased. I also used a larger box to contain small bags and boxes that I’ll use for little gifts but which would get lost in my main bag storage. Be sure to label your containers – even if only with a Sharpie – so you’ll know what’s inside without opening them. You can see an example on my box of gifts to give, labeled “To Give.”
Lastly, evaluate your categories (number and shape of items) and available storage space. Create a system to store your items based on how you use them. For big or bulky items, don’t forget to take advantage of floor space or top shelves so small items won’t be blocked in the back of the closet. Keep frequently used items (tape, scissors) in an easy-to-reach location.
Finally, sit back and enjoy your newly organized space! With proper maintenance – returning items you’ve pulled out of the closet back to their “home” when you’re finished – your system should serve you well this holiday season.”
Need some assistance in getting your home ready for the holidays? Contact your Richmond VA professional organizer at theNeatNiche!
Finding you have outgrown your house and want to give yourself the ultimate present of a new home? Contact your Richmond VA Realtor, Shannon Milligan with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West, and let’s get your home for the holidays!
6600 West Broad Street Richmond, VA, 23230 USA
shannon@homesweethenrico.com • 804-248-8207
