This is the ninth in a series of Top 10 Closet Storage Do’s and Don’ts.

9. DON’T over-organize items you rarely use. Can you really be too organized? Yes. The ever-quotable Albert Einstein said “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler” and who am I to argue with Einstein? Perhaps it might sound strange for an organizer to say don’t organize too much, but, to me, the whole point of getting organized is to take the obstacles out of the way, so that you can focus on the more important challenges in life.  Therefore, I can’t justify spending a sunny day indoors organizing old files or owners manuals that you are unlikely to retrieve again.  Of course there are going to be some items you need to keep JUST IN CASE, but they don’t’ merit the same devotion as your more useful items.

clear-drawers.jpgDO focus your organizing energy on items you use the most. Maximum organizing means maximum visibility and accessibility.   For example, backup office supplies should be located below eye level, in clear, labeled drawers.  Office supplies DO merit careful organizing because they are items that require regular access.  Again, I want to take this opportunity to point out that when you can clearly see how many you have of one item, you are far less likely to make excess purchases and that saves money.

Today’s key to unlocking clutter. Spend your organizing energy wisely.