Archive for the ‘Living Room’ Category

Monday Focus Book Clutter Control

Monday, May 9th, 2011 by admin

Monday’s Clutter Control FOCUS is inspired by a faithful blog reader. We’ll call her Holly….

“BOOKS! There aren’t really all that many books that I really want to keep in my permanent collection to read again or for reference.

To cut back on book clutter I first go to the library, then I go to my favorite used book store where I can sell books back to them and buy ones I want for cheap”.

Thanks Holly, this is a good idea for clutter control.

Look through your book and see what ones you want to donate or sell to your local book store. Ours in my home town is called “The Secret Garden”. Clutter control is easier when you don’t have unwanted and unused stuff around.

Well, I am off to check my book cases. This is a Focus I need!

Posted in Clutter Control, Family Room, Living Room | 5 Comments »

I’m In Shop Smart Magazine From Consumer Reports

Thursday, January 13th, 2011 by admin

I declare I can do more of nothing than anyone I know and keep busy. When I organize in women’s homes as a professional organizer they tell me it takes so long to clear clutter, they are busy but where does the time go?

Here is another perspective on this. I received an email asking if I would be willing as an organizing expert to contribute to an article for SHOP SMART from Consumer Reports. Of course I responded to the email and said I would be happy to. We arranged a time to talk.

I chatted with the author of the article for 45 minutes. I gave her several organizing tips on how to clear clutter in the home. Then I received another phone call from someone else from the magazine verifying that what the author had written was what I had said.

Excitedly I saw this magazine at the checkout stand yesterday and I bought it, (it is dated March 2011). On page 25 I found 4 short lines consisting of one tip I had talked about.

The point of this story is: for just a few lines it took a lot of time and work. When you are clearing clutter it might seem like it takes a lot of time but the end result is worth it. Okay ladies; just keep on working on those goals to clear clutter. I know some of you have set them for the new year.

Posted in Clear Clutter, Living Room | 1 Comment »

Smokin’ Clutter Control For Collections

Monday, August 23rd, 2010 by admin

Clutter Control with Professional Organizer Marilyn BohnI just typed a 205 word blog and somehow I erased it so I am going to try to duplicate it—can you hear me screaming???

To be or not to be, that is the question—Shakespeare
To collect or not to collect, that is my question—Marilyn

A friend showed a few of us around her beautiful home. In one room she had a wall to wall shelf full of attractively arranged bears. She said she used to collect bears but she kept the ones she really liked and gave the others away.

Someone with us said, “I am never going to collect because I don’t want to have to do clutter control as collections just become clutter.”

My antenna went up—that is just not true. Collections and clutter control do go together.

Clutter control for collections:
•Keep them corralled. (I keep my PEZ in a large (very large) filigree bowl).
•Rotate part of your collection in and out so they always seem new.
•Create space and homes for them.

Depending on the collection it will depend how you work your clutter control magic on them. (AKA how you display them). What do you think about collecting? It brings me happiness and joy—how about you?

Clutter Control with Professional Organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Clutter Control, Living Room | 3 Comments »

Product Review Friday For Seniors

Friday, February 5th, 2010 by admin

Clutter control with professional organizer Marilyn BohnAll week we have been chatting about clutter control and getting rid of clutter in the living room. What did you do this week?

It is Friday and that means it is product review day. As a professional organizer as I work in people’s homes I encourage those who don’t use this product under their throw rugs to go right out and buy it.

Non Slip rug ‘liner’:

•It prevents accidents from happening as rugs aren’t slippery.
•It can actually (or so I have read) extend the life of your rugs.
•It can be used in the cupboard as a thin padding to put glasses on.
•It comes in many sizes and can be cut to fit.

I have never found that any one brand is better than another. Have you? You can find this product at all variety stores in the house ware section.

Please share your clutter control tip for the living room!

Clutter control with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Clutter Control, Living Room, Seniors | 1 Comment »

Clutter Control Tips For The Living Room

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 by admin

Clutter control with professional organizer Marilyn BohnDoes this ever happen to you? I keep our living room free of clutter, neat and tidy and as soon as books get tossed around and a coat and maybe a scarf and shoes are left around someone comes to visit? It’s rather irritating don’tchathink? I think so too. But it happens to all of us and life goes on.

This week we are talking tips for clutter control in the living room in case you are just joining us.

•Rearrange furniture to make the room easier to navigate. Be careful where you place coffee tables or end tables because hard corners can hurt when bumped into. If the room is crowded with too many tables maybe it is time to donate to family or a charity of your choice. If you are working on clutter control this may be an easy way to get rid of clutter.
•Do you read in your living room? Be sure you have adequate lighting for this and other tasks. Use three-way light bulbs to allow you to adjust your lamps’ brightness and save energy. I just read that they now have a three-way LED bulb.
•Keep warm, comfy blankets or quilts contained in an attractive basket. This keep clutter under control and within easy reach when needed.

What tip do you use to control clutter in your living room?

Clutter control with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Clutter Control, Living Room | No Comments »

What Do We Have For Show N' Tell Today?

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 by admin

Show N’ Share Tuesday is a living room. Don’tcha just love before and after photos?
Getting rid of clutter with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn
As a professional organizer I always say when we are getting rid of clutter things get worse before they get better! (And isn’t that just the truth?) Obviously we were getting rid of clutter in this room. In the living room we went through every book and made piles for donate, sell and keep. Then we put the books back on the shelves. The baskets look nice as they add another dimension to the shelves and paper backs can also be stored there or cords of one kind or another if they go to electronics in the room.
Getting rid of clutter with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn
Getting rid of clutter also meant removing things that didn’t belong in this room. Things such as children’s toys they ride and magazines that are old and never read.

It is exhilarating getting rid of clutter and creating a room where you can welcome your guests and have a relaxing place to read.

Getting rid of clutter in your home, office and life

Posted in Getting Rid of Clutter, Living Room | 1 Comment »

Turn Your Living Room Into A Clutter Free Zone

Monday, February 1st, 2010 by admin

Reduce clutter in your home with professional organizer Marilyn BohnWhat do you use your living room for? For some it is a family room, a den, or a rec room. It could be the space where you entertain, read, and watch TV or even plan your next vacation. You’ve probably decorated it with things you love.

However you use this room either as a place to relax or a hub of activity this week I will give you ideas to help you create an even more “livable” living room. Make it a goal to clear clutter in your living room during the month of February.

•Is your furniture comfortable but sturdy?
•Treat all fabrics with a stain resistant coating. This will help the fabrics stay bright and clean longer. Patterned fabrics will help camouflage spills. (Who says we spill?)
•Reduce clutter by using baskets for magazines, newspapers, children’s toys and catalogs.

What do you do to clear clutter in your living room?

Reduce clutter with professional organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Clear Clutter, Clutter, Living Room | 2 Comments »