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Could You Use 25% More Storage Space?

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Services for Real Estate Pros with pha logistix inc

 

Could You Use 25% More Storage Space?

When I get a call from a propspective client about an organization project, there is always the comment "I'm so disorganized I have nowhere to put anything".... and while many times that's true, often times it's just a matter of putting like things together.

When you put like with like - you actually SEE what it is that you have. 

VasesWe recently packed up a kitchen, dining room and living room for a client who is having her grandchildren move her into a home that is all on one level. As is usual, before we begin packing (especially when we are not hired to do the unpack!), we first go through all cabinets, wall units, breakfronts, etc.  and put like things together.  From five (5) different locations, we found 42 vases! Of those 42, only eight were of good quality. All the rest were the type you get when a florist delivers flowers.

Fortunately, we were given permission to donate 30 of the florist vases. 

Another time, while reorganizing a kitchen for a caterer who uses dried dill weed frequently, I found 10 jars of dill weed among four different cabinets.  Some were opened, some were not.  By combining the open jars and storing ALL the dill weed in one cabinet, we ended up with 6 jars.  This client will not have to buy another jar of dill weed for a long time!

So, you get the picture... put like things together so YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE.  And, you too, can create 25% more storage space in your own home.

Comments (18)

Lydie Ouellet Dickinson
Realty Executives Tri County, Bellingham MA - Bellingham, MA
Realtor

Peggy, I think this is great advice. I suggested it because I do believe everyone can use this trick. Especially, us in the real estate world.

May 31, 2011 07:03 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Thanks so much Lydie!

May 31, 2011 09:22 AM
Lois Davies
Century 21 Birchwood Realty, Inc. - Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral & SW Florida

Great advice Peggy.  I do this in my own home but never thought about suggesting it to others.  Sometimes common sense, everyday behavior needs someone else to point it out.  Thanks

May 31, 2011 09:56 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Thank you for stopping by Lois.  I know, sometimes we don't see things that are so close to us!!

May 31, 2011 10:02 AM
Christine O'Shea
Christine E O'Shea Broker - Naples, FL

Hi Peggy, Great ideas, we are going through a rennovation of our house, last time we moved was 2.3 years ago, so not too much clutter, but still have to go through and clean out, those florist vases will get you every time!

May 31, 2011 10:34 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Good luck with both the reno and decluttering, Christine!

May 31, 2011 11:05 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

I know David... I was like "what WERE you thinking?"  Of course, that thought was in my head :)

May 31, 2011 01:29 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

 Peggy I had to laugh because I probably have as many vases, most of them in the basesment.  Then again space is not an issue here:)

I like the way you help your clients regain space by getting rid of unecessary items.

May 31, 2011 04:06 PM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

LOL LOL, Jennifer.  Guess someone likes to send you flowers!!    As a former NY'r, I realize that homes in your area are larger than homes in NYC or SF.... but, seriously, what ARE you going to do with all those vases? :)

May 31, 2011 04:14 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Peggy, 42 vases! Glad to know that you were given permission to donate 30 of them. There is a place for everything and everything needs to be in its place! I’ve been on a purging binge for several months now. Organizing makes everything so efficient. It makes me nuts to watch people spend time looking for stuff!

May 31, 2011 04:39 PM
Virginia Kail
Investments, starter houses, luxury homes,farms, acreage - Cookeville, TN
True Blue Realty, Homes and Land for Sale

Peggy - I fit into that catagory of not knowing what I have. My focus is always on work, and home gets neglected. To make matters worse, I married someone who saves everything! You'd probably find lots to blog about at my house.  :)

May 31, 2011 05:16 PM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Kathleen... you actually touch on what being organized is all about... being able to find what you are looking for right away!  And, purging does take time. Nice to see you are pacing yourself and doing it over time.

May 31, 2011 06:09 PM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Virginia... LOL LOL.  Opposites attract, you know :)  On a serious note, just take 15 minutes a few times a week to put like things together.  I promise you - you'll be amazed at how organized you'll become AND you'll become familiar with what you DO have!

May 31, 2011 06:14 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Excellent!

How about socks?  Throw away the ones that the dryer did not steal - it has no match anymore?

May 31, 2011 06:25 PM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Virginia... that's right!  However, instead of throwing them away, you can cut them up one side and use them as rags.  Alternatively, put them in your paper recycling bin.  You can also check with your local animal rescue team to see if they might have some use for them (a bunch of socks inside one sock as a dog chew comes to mind). Thanks so much for stopping by.

May 31, 2011 06:36 PM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

I have a hard time throwing things out.  This sounds like such a good and simple plan.  I never thought of putting all the like things together.  This would be the perfect solution for me - just seeing how much "duplicating" I've done would help me let so many duplicates go!

Jun 01, 2011 10:25 PM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Glad I could be of some help, Debbie!  I once worked with a client and she ended up having over a dozen denim shirts, all in different closets.  When she saw them all together she was able to let of half of them. Happy Organizing!

Jun 02, 2011 05:22 AM