It’s mid-summer and it’s HOT, and your older kids are bored – what is a family to do? Mother of four and Ultra Organized business owner, Dawn McCloskey, says that cleaning and organizing the basement is a great activity for a hot summer day. “Turn the dark dungeon into usable space for a work shop, craft room, play room or storage area where you can find anything within a matter of seconds.”

Since most likely, the idea of tackling the basement is overwhelming here are some Ultra Organized suggestions to get you started.

Call the Relatives and Friends

Are you storing things for other family members or friends? Most likely, you are not being paid a rental fee; call the owners and ask that the stored items be removed from your home. You can even offer to donate the items to charity if the owner no longer wants them.

Scrap the Yard Sale Idea

Are you one of those people who plans on having a yard sale but haven’t gotten around to it because of the amount of time it takes to price items, set up the sale, man the sale for most of the day, and negotiate pricing? If so, accept the fact that having a yard sale isn’t for you and get rid of everything you’ve been holding for a yard sale by donating it to Goodwill or having a charity pick it up.

Purchase and Install

Many types of storage cabinets, shelving, and hooks are available at local home improvement stores and websites. Remember to measure the area before you buy anything! It’s disappointing to realize you bought something and it won’t fit in the intended area. While you’re at it, pick up some clear storage containers. The containers can be labeled with printed labels or writing on masking tape with a Sharpie pen. Having these items on hand while you are organizing makes it easier to containerize items as you are sorting.

How the Kids Can Help

Plan a fun family activity for after the job is done and tell the children about it before you even start. A little “bribery” might go a long way if the children have something to look forward to at the end of the work session. Tell the kids what needs to be done and get their input on how they can help. Upbeat music that your kids like will put them in the mood to help.

Can I Get It Again?

The basement is a place to store items that are not needed every day. Sometimes, though, items are kept for “some day” and that day hasn’t happened yet. Imagine how difficult it would be to get the item if it’s gotten rid of and there does come a time when you need it. Is it something you can borrow from someone else? Is it something that another object can be used in its place? If you can easily obtain the item elsewhere when the need arises, don’t store it.

Going Down Memory Lane

Chances are you’ll find items you had forgotten about that bring pleasant memories. Share these memories with your children. However, spending hours looking at family photos isn’t going to get the task at hand done in a timely manner. Set these items aside to enjoy AFTER everything is neatly organized.

Sort Like Items Together

To make life simpler when decorating for the holidays, use one storage container per holiday; don’t mix the contents for various holidays in one box. During the calendar year, when the holidays approach, consider buying colored storage containers which make it visually easier to locate the appropriate items in the future.

Create “Zones”

If you have a walk-out basement, chances are there is lawn equipment. The lawn maintenance zone should be located near the door. Other zones you might consider: workshop tools, holiday items, hobby and craft supplies, paperwork and memorabilia, winter storage, and a “future children” area which includes items you are saving for future births. Place heavy, bulky items on the floor or low shelving so they are easier to manage.

Hire a Professional

Finally, elicit the help of a professional organizer if needed. Professional organizers are experienced in helping you design an organized space that will meet your individual needs. Hiring a professional organizer will help you alleviate stress and create more time for those things you enjoy most.

Dawn McCloskey is a residential professional organizer and founder of Ultra Organized, LLC in Cumming, Georgia. The mission of Ultra Organized is to create order from chaos by creating customized solutions in people’s homes. Ultra Organized helps people get control of clutter in their existing homes or before listing a house with a realtor, and provides unpacking and organizing services to new home owners. McCloskey is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. For more information, call 770-844-1049, email dawn@ultraorganized.com or visit www.ultraorganized.com.

Forsyth County Classifieds: organization, professional organizing