Boot Shelf
Updated: February 2, 2012
Does this sound like your home? You want to keep the carpet looking nice so you require the kids to remove their shoes when they come into the house. Lo and behold you finally get them into the habit. Unfortunately a new habit crops up. The kids kick off the shoes at the very front door or nearest hallway or by the garage and there you have a large lumpy pile of shoes toppled on top of each other.
Here's a way you can keep the clutter to a minimum and keep the rugs still looking nice. Best of all this will only take about an hour of your time. Try building your own boot shelf.
Go to your local hardware store or lumberyard and purchase two one by 12 wood panels four feet long. These panels will be the sides of your shelf. The but three one by twelve panels, these will be your top, bottom and middle shelf. Use metal brackets because they will hold better than simply hammering a bunch of nails into the wood. Next, lay out your "shelf" in the garage and using a power screwdriver put the shelf together by screwing the brackets into the panels. When you're finished you can set up your shelf in the garage or breezeway and get the kids into a brand new habit, stacking their own shoes!
Remember it doesn't have to be perfect, just functional. Your kids can take off their messy shoes or boots before they come into the house. And your carpet will thank you for it!
Here are some more tips we found for you on getting your home organized.
Plan your Changes
Organizing means just what your mother told you all those years ago; "There's a place for everything and everything in its place. Even small living areas can be neat and orderly with some inexpensive storage and organization racks.
Prioritize Areas
Take your time don't become overwhelmed! A messy place can send you heading for the hills! Don't panic. Make a list of the top 4 areas you want to clean up and organize. Then tackle one area a week. Within a month, you'll have accomplished your objectives.
Follow simplified Instructions
If you decide to order containers, either on line or at a nearby shore, follow instructions on how best to use the containers, especially if you need to install them. Carefully measure and mark your wall (in pencil) so that your organization product(s) will be exactly where you want it. Then install and enjoy more usable space.
Organizing Children's Clothes
Do you have boxes of unorganized children's clothing? It is easy to waste money this way because when a size 2 coat is needed, it often seems easier to buy a new one than search boxes for the old one.
With each changing season, take a little time to look at what you have, what you will need for the coming months and what you will need to put away.
Do it on a day when you family can help. Give each child a garbage bag and have them go through their drawers and pull out everything that doesn't fit, is in bad shape of something they haven't worn because they don't like it. They then need to bring these bags to your central sort area. The garage is a good spot. You can set up a folding table in the middle to sort on.
You can purchase large cardboard boxes at office supply stores, or see if the local clothing or business store has some they don't need. Line each with a new, black garbage bag and toss in a stick fresh gum- in-its-wrapper peppermint gum, this chases bugs away and the bag keeps the clothes clean and dust-free.
Then make sure every box gets a number on the end starting with one. You can also use a letter and a number. All boxes with boys clothing could begin with the letter B followed by a number. For instance B1, B2, B3 etc. Girls could be G1, G2, Crafts C1, C2, Men's M1, M2, Women's W1, W2 etc. I write on a label and affix it to the end of the box, the end that will be showing.
On a pad of paper, keep track of what is in the box:
B1 2T winter
B2 4T Jeans
W1 winter coat
Whenever you need something just take a look at your list and locate the box.
You can make your list as informative as you like. You can list specifically the items in the boxes. If you have a small hand held computer, type the information in and you'll have it handy.
Don't box items that you won't use. It's always easy to hang onto stained t-shirts and tattered clothing then don't let the children wear them. So chuck it out, turn them into rags or send them to the junkyard. Don't save stuff you won't use!
Try to have fun, you'll feel wonderful when it is done and you know exactly what you have.
Here's a way you can keep the clutter to a minimum and keep the rugs still looking nice. Best of all this will only take about an hour of your time. Try building your own boot shelf.
Go to your local hardware store or lumberyard and purchase two one by 12 wood panels four feet long. These panels will be the sides of your shelf. The but three one by twelve panels, these will be your top, bottom and middle shelf. Use metal brackets because they will hold better than simply hammering a bunch of nails into the wood. Next, lay out your "shelf" in the garage and using a power screwdriver put the shelf together by screwing the brackets into the panels. When you're finished you can set up your shelf in the garage or breezeway and get the kids into a brand new habit, stacking their own shoes!
Remember it doesn't have to be perfect, just functional. Your kids can take off their messy shoes or boots before they come into the house. And your carpet will thank you for it!
Here are some more tips we found for you on getting your home organized.
Plan your Changes
Organizing means just what your mother told you all those years ago; "There's a place for everything and everything in its place. Even small living areas can be neat and orderly with some inexpensive storage and organization racks.
Prioritize Areas
Take your time don't become overwhelmed! A messy place can send you heading for the hills! Don't panic. Make a list of the top 4 areas you want to clean up and organize. Then tackle one area a week. Within a month, you'll have accomplished your objectives.
Follow simplified Instructions
If you decide to order containers, either on line or at a nearby shore, follow instructions on how best to use the containers, especially if you need to install them. Carefully measure and mark your wall (in pencil) so that your organization product(s) will be exactly where you want it. Then install and enjoy more usable space.
Organizing Children's Clothes
Do you have boxes of unorganized children's clothing? It is easy to waste money this way because when a size 2 coat is needed, it often seems easier to buy a new one than search boxes for the old one.
With each changing season, take a little time to look at what you have, what you will need for the coming months and what you will need to put away.
Do it on a day when you family can help. Give each child a garbage bag and have them go through their drawers and pull out everything that doesn't fit, is in bad shape of something they haven't worn because they don't like it. They then need to bring these bags to your central sort area. The garage is a good spot. You can set up a folding table in the middle to sort on.
You can purchase large cardboard boxes at office supply stores, or see if the local clothing or business store has some they don't need. Line each with a new, black garbage bag and toss in a stick fresh gum- in-its-wrapper peppermint gum, this chases bugs away and the bag keeps the clothes clean and dust-free.
Then make sure every box gets a number on the end starting with one. You can also use a letter and a number. All boxes with boys clothing could begin with the letter B followed by a number. For instance B1, B2, B3 etc. Girls could be G1, G2, Crafts C1, C2, Men's M1, M2, Women's W1, W2 etc. I write on a label and affix it to the end of the box, the end that will be showing.
On a pad of paper, keep track of what is in the box:
B1 2T winter
B2 4T Jeans
W1 winter coat
Whenever you need something just take a look at your list and locate the box.
You can make your list as informative as you like. You can list specifically the items in the boxes. If you have a small hand held computer, type the information in and you'll have it handy.
Don't box items that you won't use. It's always easy to hang onto stained t-shirts and tattered clothing then don't let the children wear them. So chuck it out, turn them into rags or send them to the junkyard. Don't save stuff you won't use!
Try to have fun, you'll feel wonderful when it is done and you know exactly what you have.
