How to Organize Your Kitchen Drawers

Are you tired of rummaging through your drawers? Usually certain items don't belong there, creating clutter and causing frustration. Cut back on the time and emotional energy it takes for you to find something by cleaning out your kitchen drawers.

PURGE – Clear out any items that don't belong in the kitchen drawers. Limit yourself to one junk drawer, and don't let the rest become a go-to place to put disorganized clutter that's on your countertop. Also, remove any items that you no longer use and place them in a box to be donated or sold.
CLEAN – After you've removed all the items from your drawers, wipe them out with a clean washcloth.
ORGANIZE – Categorize items by function before putting them back in drawers. Place cooking utensils near the stove, dish towels near the sink, and flatware between the dishwasher and table. Some drawers may need dividers or containers to streamline functionality and efficiency.
MAINTAIN - Make sure to always put back items in their correct space as soon as you're done using and cleaning them, and straighten them from time to time so they don't become jumbled and disorganized.

Read about how to organize your kitchen cabinets next! 

How to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets

Cooking can be fun and easy if your kitchen cabinets are organized! When cabinet shelves are de-cluttered, it's easy to find the pots and pans you need, making your time in the kitchen more productive and enjoyable.

PURGE - Go through each cabinet and pull out items you no longer need. Place them in a box to donate or sell.
CLEAN - Take everything off the shelves so you can wipe them down with a clean washcloth.
ORGANIZE - Categorize items by function before putting them back on the shelf. Place glasses between the dishwasher and the sink. Put pots and pans near the stove. This will create a more efficient, organized kitchen.
MAINTAIN - As soon as the dishes are clean, put them away in their proper spots. It might take a little extra time, but will help you maintain the hard work you've done.

After you've finally met your organizing goals in this often cluttered area, put your feet up and take a break before next week's tough-to-tackle project – The living room! And remember, if you feel overwhelmed with any tasks, please contact us to assist you. We're always ready to help.

Also, don't forget to post photos of your newly clean kitchen on Twitter using the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days, and on our Facebook page.

Until next week, happy organizing!

Organize your Home in 40 Days – Week 1

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are ready to get organized in 2016!

As part of our Simplify Challenge, a 40 day detox program designed to rid your life of excess clutter, we're offering a step-by-step guide to organizing your entire home. We'll send you one email per week, each of which will focus on a different area of your home. Don't worry if you fall behind schedule or become overwhelmed – Simply contact us to get help from one of our professional organizers to guarantee

your success.

This week, we'll focus on cleaning up one of the most forgotten areas of your home – The garage. But before you get started on that, make sure to:

• PUT YOUR DECORATIONS AWAY- If you haven't already done so, put away all holiday decorations so that you're ready to start organizing. As you find items you no longer love and enjoy in your decorations, donate them instead of wasting space storing them yet another year.

• PURCHASE SUPPLIES - It's hard to know what you'll need until you get into the project, but it's always helpful to purchase some general organizing containers in a variety of sizes so that you have what you need on hand. Make sure to keep your receipt so you can return what you don't use.

• GET SUPPORT - Follow us on social media to find others following this program. That way, you can give each other encouragement and support! You can post photos and comment on our Facebook page, and on Twitter using the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days.

Once you've taken care of these preliminary steps, you're ready to start de-cluttering and organizing your garage! Here are a few steps to help you tackle this cumbersome task:

• PURGE - Pull anything you no longer need out onto the driveway. These items can be sold or donated. If they're too large to carry to the donation center, call Salvation Army or a donation center in your area that offers pick up services.

• ORGANIZE - Now that you've pared everything down to the essentials, it's time to organize. It's best to pick up everything off of the floor, so you may want to install some shelves, hooks or other helpful organizing tools. Put items into categories such as sports, tools, auto, etc. Place small items like nails and screws in labeled containers with individual compartments. Holiday decorations can also be stored in plastic tubs that are clearly labeled. As you sort through items, continue purging items you no longer need.

• MAINTAIN - Always make sure items get put back in their designated spot after you use them.

After you've finally met your organizing goals in this difficult area, pull in your car and enjoy your now-spacious garage! Also, as you're working this week, don't forget to take a break. You'll need to keep your energy up for next week's tough to tackle project – The kitchen! And remember, if you feel overwhelmed with any tasks, please contact us to assist you. We're always ready to help.

Don't forget to post photos of your clean garage on Twitter using the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days, and on our Facebook page.

Until next week, happy organizing!  

Get Organized in 2016!

Happy New Year! This is the time of year that we begin to reflect on the past year and plan for the new year ahead. What are your goals for the new year? Some of the most popular include eating less and exercising more, getting organized, spending less and saving more, and enjoying life more.

The sad truth is that most news year's resolutions are forgotten before January is over. However, this year, we want to help you accomplish all of your goals. That's why we invite you to join us in the Simplify Challenge, a 40 day detox program to rid your life of excess clutter so that you can spend more time living life to the fullest. As with any challenge, this will not be easy, but we promise to provide you with the tools and support to be successful.

 We are kicking off our Simplify Challenge by hosting a day of workshops on Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Redlands Community Senior Center. At the workshop, you will learn how to simplify your surroundings, paperwork, finances, and schedule so that you can find time for what matters most to you. We will take breaks to discuss our struggles and learn how to overcome them, as well as to enjoy a healthy lunch that will empower us to continue on with the day of learning. Support from our fabulous team of organizers will be offered at discounted rates to participants to ensure you don't go home and lose momentum. We will also be providing 40 days of support through email and social media.

Click here to learn more about the workshop and register. We hope you will join us!

Simplify Challenge

40 Day Detox

Rid your life of excess clutter

and start living life to the fullest

Saturday, January 9, 2016

10:00 A.M.—3:00 P.M.

Four brand new organizing seminars and

a delicious healthy lunch are included

Redlands Community Senior Center

Schedule for Saturday, January 9, 2016:

9:45 Check-in

10:00 Simplify Your Home

   Learn how to get serious about ridding you home

   of unwanted clutter and setting up space where

   you can easily function and enjoy life.

10:50 Break

11:00 Simplify Your Paper and Finances

Discover how to manage the extreme amount of

paperwork in your life and organize your finances

so that your focus shifts from stress and worry to

investing time and money in what really matters.

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Simplify Your Time

Evaluate where you spend your time, learn to

identify time wasters and find time for what is

important

1:50 Break

2:00  Live Life to the Fullest

Replace old habits with new ones that help you

reach your goals and live life to the fullest.

3:00 Dismiss to go Simplify

Kick-off WorKshops

Program includes:

· Kick-off event (4 workshops and lunch)

· Discounted organizing sessions

· Online Support

Cost: Only $50

  Bring a guest at no charge

(Contact Practical Solutions to add your guest after you register)

 We hope you will join us for this challenge to declutter and get organized. The workshops at this kick-off to the challenge will provide the motivation and tools you need to succeed. By joining us, you will be eligible for discounts on organizing sessions for hands-on help from one of our organizers and lots of great support during the 40 days via email and social media.

For more details and to register

CLICK HERE

Or call (909)307-4862

Practical Solutions Invites you to join us on this journey

Tired of the constant struggle with clutter?

Ready to start living a life with purpose?

Tragedy in San Bernardino

The tragedy this week hit close to home for all of us, but for those of us only a few miles away it has really hit hard. Most of know of someone who was affected, whether it be someone who worked in the building, some of the brave police force who went in to help the people left in the building to safety, or maybe even those who lost their life in the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

It's at times like this that we realize the value of life. In the midst of all of our hussle and bussle to get ready for the holidays, we pause and are grateful for our family and friends. Our focus shifts and we realize that life is short and all of the stuff we accumulate doesn't really bring meaning to our life, but it's the people who do.

In the wake of this tragedy, do not allow yourself to fear but to focus on what is really important in your life. Are their unfulfilled dreams you have? Set goals to reach them.. Are there people you wish to mend relationships with? Be the one to take the first step to reconcile. When you begin to feel bad about your life, go and help someone less fortunate. Investing in others brings more joy than any gift ever will.

Life is short and there is no need to spend it accumulating stuff that adds to our frustration, but spend it with people who inspire and encourage us.

Local Organizing Company Featured on Popular TV Show, Hoarders

REDLANDS, Calif. - Nov. 17, 2015 - 

You may have heard of Kathy Bates or seen her on screen in Misery, but this time a different Cathy Bates is stealing the spotlight. Last weekend Cathy Bates, owner of Redlands-based organizing company Practical Solutions, was featured on a taping of Hoarders, a popular A&E original show that helps people who chronically struggle with disorganization. The taping will air in March on Lifetime as the show's season finale.

During the taping Bates, along with Practical Solutions organizer Patii Eickhoff, assisted show host Matt Paxton clear clutter for a family who's struggled with hoarding for years.

This type of work is nothing out of the ordinary for Bates, who has been helping the local community get organized since 2003. Her clients range from slightly disorganized people to hoarders.

“When I first started, there weren't any shows on hoarding, and it wasn't even recognized by the psychological community as a true disorder,” she said.

First defined as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Society in 2013, hoarding is characterized by a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions. This chronic behavior often yields severe emotional, financial, social, and physical consequences for the sufferer and their family.

Although the show was filmed in about three days, Bates said in reality helping hoarders get organized often takes months or even years. Typically, clients are encouraged to work at a comfortable pace, and implement incremental changes into their habits and lifestyle.

Eickhoff, who has been professionally organizing throughout Southern California for seven years, noted that having a bigger support team enabled them to work more quickly than usual.

“This was the easiest hoarding job we have done because of the support of the Service Master crew, and because the client was ready for a life change,” said. “We are used to doing all of the heavy lifting as well as the sorting, but with their team behind us we barely lifted a finger, so we could concentrate on sorting with the client.”

Bates said that her Redlands-based team, albeit smaller than the TV support crew, also takes on challenging projects with aplomb.

“The ladies at Practical Solutions are the hardest working group of ladies you will ever meet,” she said. “Ask anyone who they have organized or moved. One client told me, 'I’ve never seen anyone work harder than this crew, yet they are always looking out for my emotional needs and helping me through the hurdles I face.'”

Ultimately, Bates said the biggest reward to both the Hoarders taping and the everyday organizing jobs she and her team tackle is the same – That is, witnessing the impact that letting go of unneeded possessions has on a client's life.

“Lives are changed when clients finally let go of the clutter, whether it takes three days or three years,” she said, “and make room for important relationships and experiences that last a lifetime.”

Stay tuned for more information on the season finale of Hoarders! In the meantime, learn more about Practical Solutions at www.psorganizing.com. They offer free consultations and always treat clients with care and respect.