By Lara Lee / For the FCT

With spring officially upon us, it’s time to declutter and reorder your home. Follow these few easy steps, and you’ll be on your way to a more organized, less chaotic you. Reclaim your life and your space!

·     Clarify the activity and use for each room of your home. For example, your kitchen might be a place for cooking, eating, paying bills and doing homework.

·     Label: Pinpoint the areas that contain the most disorganization and clutter. Using a scale of one to five, with five being the most disorganized, rate each area.

·     Evaluate: For each of the above areas, pinpoint the three biggest problems with that space. Consider the following: Is the area functional? Do I need to add or remove furniture? Does it lack adequate storage? Could the storage space in that area be put to better use? Does it need better lighting?

·     Act: Now that you have an idea of the problem areas in your home, prioritize them – from immediate attention to less critical. Tackle the area with manageable tasks and a deadline for completion, then move on to the next area.

·     Realistic: Don’t attempt to reorganize or redesign every room or area of your home all at once. Trying to accomplish too much at once can easily become overwhelming and frustrating.

Lara Lee is an organizational specialist with more than 30 years of experience. Her company, Organize Me Please! is determined to help people reclaim their time, space and peace of mind. For professional organizational services for a home or business, visit www.orgmp.com or call 847-445-1146.