Getting around to clearing the clutter and finally getting organized can be hard enough.  Once you’ve cleared the clutter you have to find storage options to fit your needs.  This can get seem quite expensive if you are new to organization and have only ever had a few bins here or there, so the key is to budget for your storage, which may include bins, baskets, trays, cubbies and furniture.  It might also mean making some sacrifices in other areas of your life so that you can declutter and return to a normal life at home. 

Getting your organizational systems in place can be even more complicated if you’re environmentally conscious  and don’t care to use plastic.  If you’re opposed to plastic storage containers and organizers, whether it be due to environmental reasons, aesthetics or you’re simply trying to “go green”, you may find it a challenge to find organization products that are not made of plastic.  An alternative material is wicker.  Contrary to popular belief, wicker is not a plant material, but is made of part of a plant.  Wicker also includes some plastic fibers, but, at least you’re moving in the right direction if you’re trying to go green. 

So, what exactly is wicker?  According to Wikipedia, “Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid material, usually used for baskets or furniture. Wicker is often made of material of plant origin, but plastic fibers are also used.  Materials used can be any part of a plant, such as the cores of cane of rattan stalks, or whole thicknesses of plants, as with willow switches…”

Another advantage for using wicker and other similar materials, like rattan, banana leaf  and seagrass to organize your items is their beauty.  Wicker baskets, bins and furniture can add color and texture to any room and can be used as decorative baskets, as well as functional organization storage.   Wicker organization products can be used in family rooms, linen closets, laundry rooms, bedrooms and much more.  Take a look at a few of the wicker, rattan, banana leaf and seagrass organization products here from Home Storage Warehouse

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For the Bathroom:

Bathroom set

Triple Laundry Sorter

For Bedrooms, Living Rooms and Family Rooms:

Seagrass storage chests

Wicker Magazine Rack

We have observed that being organized comes more naturally to some, than to others. For some, it makes perfect sense that there should be a place for everything and everything in its place.  Yet to others, this idea would never even cross their minds. That’s why it important that children be taught organization skills from an early age.  If you are the parent, and also disorganized, then use this as an opportunity to learn together!  Plus, showing your children how to take care of their room from an early age teaches them responsibility. 

If your child has space issues in their bedroom and you find that clothes aren’t being put away and clutter is accumulating, most often than not, the child doesn’t know where things go. 

So what can you do to help?  You may begin with a task as simple as showing them how to put their laundered clothes away.  Begin by sharing with them how it makes sense to store tops with tops and bottoms with bottoms.  If they are early elementary school age, you could show them an example of how mixing tops with bottoms, socks and undies would result in confusion and disorder.  They will probably be amused by the mess and be happy to help you fix it!  

There are many inexpensive organizing products available for kids’ rooms that will help them to keep the clutter at bay. Here are a few useful products, including ideas on how to use them:

Hanging Accessory Shelves:  Hanging shelves have cubbies or pockets and attaches to a closet rod to store tops, sweaters, shoes or smaller items stored in baskets.  Some shelves come with drawers.

Storage Cubes: Very versatile storage that can help to organize clothes, toys, books, CDs, accessories and magazines.

Pop-up Hamper: Teach your kids to put away their dirty laundry in their own hamper or use for lightweight toys and stuffed animals

Under the Bed Storage Bag:

Take advantage of the space underneath the bed to store off season clothing or bed linens.  Bags zipper shut to keep out the dust.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com