One of the firm beliefs of professional organizers is that you do NOT buy products to solve clutter problems until after you know exactly how much of something you have to store. Buying a new container because it’s “cute and can surely be used for something” is like throwing gasoline on a campfire. That cute container has now just become part of your clutter problem instead of the solution!
Gift Wrap Closet–Before
This belief was reinforced during one of this week’s projects for a whole-home organization. Our client had purchased an Elfa system from The Container Store for gift wrap, but then did not follow through with setting it up to be a storage solution; thus, it had become part of the clutter.
Gift Wrap Closet–After
After emptying the entire closet contents, grouping like things together, and adding a few missing components (a drawer organizer, melamine tops, label holders, and labels), this closet is a gift-wrappers dream! We were also able to use some bins that had been emptied in other rooms for storage solutions. Now, in this gift wrap closet, everything has its place, and there’s a place for everything.
