Organized Home

What's the secret to happy order in children's rooms? You've got to get 'em organized!

Child-friendly storage solutions and daily maintenance routines are key to keeping children's rooms in a state of livable, but children aren't born with innate organizing skills.

As a parent, it's your job to play professional organizer to teach the little ones the skills they need.

Today in the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge, we'll consider eight great ideas to get the children and their bedrooms organized--and keep them that way!    More »

Today's the day, and we're jumping for joy: it's Kids' Room Week in the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge.

Kids and their stuff bring special challenges to an organized home.

We'll investigate solutions to storing children's toys, games and clothing, tapping right-sized organizing options and kid-friendly maintenance routines to keep children's rooms ship-shape.

Along the way, we'll declutter and deep-clean children's rooms, and prepare for warm-weather activities ahead.

Ready? Bring on the small stuff--and their stuff--for Kids' Room Week!    More »

It's been a free-form week here at the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge. We've tackled the guest room (if we have one), and have used the week to catch up or to work on a bonus area in the household.

Today, take the last steps to clean, declutter and organize the guest room or bonus area.

Tomorrow, the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge moves to the children's rooms. We'll take on the small stuff next week; are you ready?    More »

This week at the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge, we've been learning more about how to create a custom path to an organized life.

Today's question: what's your clutter personality?

Understanding what lies behind your need to hold onto clutter can make it easier to free yourself! Consider your unique clutter personality with today's assignment.    More »

What does it mean to be organized?

While the answer is different for every person and every household, there are four core elements of an organized life. Knowing the Core Four--and where you fall in relation to each element--is essential to craft a get-organized plan that will work for you.

Today in the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge, we'll meet the Core Four. Where will you focus your get-organized energies?    More »

When it's time to get organized, a single success multiplies motivation.

Fixing a problem that frustrates you releases welcome energy--and it gives you concrete proof that change is possible. Over time, that purposeful start points the way to real change.

Today in the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge, give yourself a double gift: tackle and solve one small, nagging problem on the home front.

Making a start is the first step to winning the race!    More »

You say you want to get organized, but what does that mean, exactly?

There are as many paths to an organized home as there are households, because the meaning of "organized" is personal to each family.

Today in the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge, it's time to consider where the shoe pinches. Knowing what isn't working is the first step to creating a personalized path to the organized life of your dreams.    More »

With more than half of the Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge completed, it's time to make a progress check.

Today, step back for a few minutes and celebrate all the changes you've made this year. Give yourself a big pat on the back for every area, large or small, that has been cleaned, decluttered and organized as you've followed along with the plan.

Next, assess your progress. Did you start strongly but found that life intervened with your plans? This is the week to refresh your motivation and renew the assault against dirt and disorder.

Fallen off the rails entirely? Hey! It happens! Review the factors that tripped you up, and remind yourself that one of the strongest indicators of successful self-change are trying, trying, and trying again.

Most of all, enjoy your home. It's the tapestry on which you weave your life ... so make it warm, welcoming and wonderful!    More »