Atlanta Apartments

Atlanta apartments can easily turn into warehouses of all your previous lives. For some reason you may still have your collection of high school trophies, novels and sports uniforms, piles of college textbooks seven boxes of memorabilia from past relationships and mini-skirts you wouldn’t be caught dead in now. Now that spring is right around the corner, the time for spring cleaning is upon us.

Step 1: Get rid of the junk.

Make three piles: Things to keep, things to sell or donate, and things to throw away. If you really need to, you can also make a pile of things to put in storage. Get some boxes and bags and get to it. Tell yourself that if you haven’t used it in the past year, you really don’t need it (this allows for all four seasons in your wardrobe). Don’t allow yourself to stop half-way through as this will only drag out the process. Get it done in one fell swoop, have a quick cry if you need to over sentimental items and then get over it. This is about cleaning out your life as much as it is your closets.

This is also a good time to drop off or try to sell those items you decided to give up. Clean clothing can be brought to a resale shop. Items that may be of some value, or of use to others, can be brought to a sell-it-for-you-on-the-Internet drop-off. These places will usually charge you a fee but you will get some money back if your items sell. Donating useful items to the Salvation Army or other charitable organization is also a good idea.

Step 2: Set up a system

You don’t want to be stuck in this situation again next month, which is why you need to come up with a better way to store your belongings than you were doing in the past. Consider some of these storage/organizational items to help you out:

• Under-the-bed storage boxes or bins.

• Furniture that doubles as storage, tables with drawers underneath and open-top ottomans.

• Plastic storage bins with drawers for easy access.

• Racks for shoes.

• Shelving that can be installed in closets.

• Filing systems for papers and documents.

• Hanging racks near the door for keys and coats.

Once you start organizing, you may find that you don’t need as much space as you thought or it might be helpful to put some of your bedroom items into the common living area (such as CD cases or books). Spend some time looking through the home improvement section of a local retailer and choose storage items that will work well for your Atlanta apartment belongings.

Step 3: Sort and Sift

Now that you are left with only those items you must keep, it’s time to get your Atlanta apartment organized.

• Bring your items to the place where it makes the most sense to use them. You’d be surprised how many people store bathroom cleaners in the kitchen and shoes in the living room.

• Throw out things that are just taking up space (shoeboxes, CD cases and boxes from purchases you’ve had for several months or more).

• Fold clothes and put them away, neatly, in a logical location. Put clothing that is not currently in season (i.e. winter sweaters and coats) into storage bins and exchange the items in the bin for the items you have in your closet when the weather changes.

• Keep one file organizer for all your important papers and documents. Label each section with “home,” “auto,” “medical,” “insurance” and anything else you need. As soon as you bring home a receipt or get a document in the mail, put it in the file so that paperwork does not overwhelm you.

• Empty out bags and purses and put those items away. Maybe you’ll even find a hidden $20 bill!

• If you have a good amount of photos and other memorabilia, purchase an album or scrapbook. Save money by buying a plain one and decorating it yourself.

• Allow yourself one drawer, shelf or bin for “junk.” This might include a radio that needs to get fixed, batteries that need to be recharged or photos you need to put away. When the space gets full, you know it’s time to start putting things away.

Enjoy your new uncluttered Atlanta apartment! Hey, what is that shirt doing on the floor? Remember, we’ve given you the secrets to getting organized. Keeping it organized is completely up to you!