How to Organize the Easy Way: Part Two
How long it takes you to find something is the best way to know how organized you are. It also helps if it looks nice too. For instance when I had no interest in today’s pre-chosen topic — what personality type is today’s top trending personality, it was three sports guys I’ve never heard of and then Charles Manson, yeah, no go — I looked around for the one completely organized part of my disaster of a house. The dining-room. Yes even if you use it every day, if you don’t use the good china, chances are you carry the mess back into your kitchen. And if you can close off the dining room visually from the kitchen? Voila, an always guest ready room. The living room is similarly easy if you don’t actually use it for hanging out and watching television like I’ve made sure we don’t, otherwise my whole house would always be in some kind of disarray.
I’m an Organic Freedom, the most tidy challenged type there is, followed by my husband’s type Smart Freedom. But I picked up this whole house Fibber McGee idea from my Organic Structure and Smart Structure parents. When my mom was raising three kids, the back of the house was always a bit rough and tumble, but if Mrs. Musser or other judgmental Classic types would come a calling, then she could serve a nice cool drink in the always tidy front room. Ah the front room.
The other part of this tip is the easy retrieval. Dining room is perfect for displaying your pretty china. The plus side of the display is that not only does it look good — remember to store like with like and pay attention to color and pattern — it’s easy to remember, “Oh right, I have that gorgeous tray from the Steinbergs to serve cheese and pate on!” In sight is IN MIND!
So yes this is probably very confusing to you Classics whose whole house is usually pretty darn tidy even if you think it isn’t and to you Funs who are like, “What’s a front room? A room just for dining, why that’s madness!” But for the rest of us who struggle like Sisyphus to keep the clutter at bay, don’t forget the Front Room, and keep all that gorgeous stuff you got for your wedding but only use for company out in ordered display for when company does come calling.