Organize + Energize: Is Your Nightstand Giving you Nightmares?

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert

Let’s face it, do you really want to wake up or go to sleep next to a dust-filled, cluttered nightstand? It’s usually one of the first things you see when you open your eyes in the morning and one of the last things you see when you close them at night. Is there so much clutter, that you’ve become so used to looking at it that you’ve forgotten what is actually taking up space there?

What’s on your nightstand?

What’s taking up space on this nightstand and how much of it are you actually using? Does it really belong there? You are going to find medication, lotions, books, jewelry, money, memorabilia, electronics, hair accessories, gift cards, and I could list a hundred more things that I’ve found in this space when working with clients. You name it, I’ve probably found it!

Take inventory.

I want you to take everything off and out of this piece of furniture. As you touch each piece, make your piles of keep, toss, or move to another room. Categorize your keep items as you go. As you take inventory, really think about what needs to stay here and be honest about what you’re using on a daily or weekly basis.

Here’s a good gauge if you should keep it there: If it’s collecting dust, it’s been there too long and it’s either time to get rid of it or move it to another area in your home where it will get used.

Organize.

You’ll want this space to be as serene as possible, just like your bedroom. If you must keep small items here, keep them categorized and itemized in drawer organizers. Remember, that drawers in a nightstand are not supposed to be junk drawers or a catch all for things you don’t know what to do with. Really ask yourself, “How much do I need to keep here?” Remember, the least amount of distractions you have in the bedroom, the better you’ll sleep.

It’s time to tackle this quick project. It won’t be so overwhelming if you just schedule this one project on your calendar and commit to tackling it. Block off ½ an hour for this project. It’s not going to take you that long, but give yourself some structure and a time frame. Take note to how you feel once you accomplished this project.

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to begin. She is also available for organizing workshops.

Related Slideshow: 10 Minute Organizing Projects

Declutter and Organize

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Spices

As you take all of the spices out of the cabinet, check for expiration dates and smell for potency. Categorize and itemize your spices to how you utilize them. Contain them in a spice rack that fits the space where they are kept. Don’t purchase a spice rack until you are finished organizing. You want to measure the space and make sure the rack fits and holds all of your spices. There are a variety of spice racks out there. Choose the one that best suits what you need it to hold.

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Makeup

How many items do you touch in the morning to find what you need? You want to be as efficient as possible in the morning and having your makeup organized will be a big time saver. Do you have difficulty deciding what to keep or toss? When is it time to throw away makeup? Aline Sarkis, a Providence, RI-based makeup artist, states lipstick can be used for 2 years or until it starts to smell like a crayon. Mascara is good for 2-3 months. Eye shadow is good for 2 years and foundation is good for 1-2 years. Aline also states that some makeup and skincare will be marked with an expiration date of 6-12 months. Begin counting once you start using the product

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Women: Purse

Depending on the size of your purse, and what you keep in your purse, this may take you a little longer than 10 minutes. Empty the entire contents of the purse on a table. Declutter, categorize, and itemize the contents. Break this process down and take it one category at a time. Develop a system going forward so the inside of your purse doesn’t look like a cyclone hit it. Contain receipts, gift cards, money, and makeup.

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Men: Wallet

It’s time to empty all of the receipts out of your wallet. Do you also store receipts and random items in your car? While you are tackling this project, head over to your vehicle and declutter the center console and glove compartment.

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Underwear drawer

If you aren’t using drawer organizers, you should start now. They are very inexpensive and will maximize the space in the drawer. How many of you wear the same item over and over again? With drawer organizers in place, you will be able to see everything you own and can categorize and itemize. Nothing will ever get pushed to the bottom of the drawer again.

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Under the bathroom sink

If you haven’t taken everything out of this area in awhile, you may find some scary items under the sink. Empty the contents, itemize, and categorize. Throw away anything that you can’t recognize. Contain items in containers that fit the space like a puzzle. Once again, utilizing containers will maximize the space and allow you to store more items. Develop a simple system where you can locate items and locate them quickly.

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Pets

Ninety percent of my clients have a pet. It’s time to organize their belongings. Medicine, leashes, bandanas, clothes, dishes, food, etc. Take this time to also organize any paper work related to your pet. Set up a filing system for your pet. Keep their medical records, rabies and vaccination information categorized in these files.

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Junk drawer

Nobody says you can’t have a junk drawer. Junk drawers can be organized. You just have to think about if you need everything in this drawer and if there is a better place to store the items. Remember, store like items together. If you have tools in the junk drawer, maybe you should keep them with the tools in the basement.

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Office supply drawer

So many people have office supply drawers that are out of control. Money is wasted on purchasing duplicate office supplies. It’s very difficult to figure out what you need to purchase if items are scattered all over the office and are disorganized.

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Top of your office desk

If you can’t see the top of your desk, take this time to focus on this area and categorize and itemize what is there. Do you have a working filing system in place? If so, once your desk is cleared, make a habit of filing once a day or a couple of times a week. If your system isn’t working for you, it may be time for you to re-evaluate your system and make it work for the way you function.