Friday, February 25, 2011

To Utilize space and some items requires relocation of others, my loss your gain.

Well when unpacking treasures of the past and attempting to find a place of utilization for everything sometimes becomes a futile act.  Everything treasured from multiple people rarely share themes, usages or even common sizes. Too many individualized interests leads to clutter and disorganization which results in waste, loss of space and function.  This will not "work itself out" or "be tolerated" in our Home of designed utilization and functionality.  Having items just because and keeping them in boxes or just stacked up is not good for the valued item or our home.  SO... we are relocating some items and while packing up and moving things into better utilized spaces I found some amazing finds and was instantly moved by the lost time these items have spent on a shelf unused and unappreciated.

Our "extra room/former homeschool room/Office/Home Gym with amazing storage shelves built by my husband has challenged me to the inth degree to make it pleasing to all and yet make it function appropriately.  I have moved and redecorated, repurposed items and purchased new (used) items to make this room work and I am still working to achieve the perfect room.  It is so worth it though when you get serious about the House and Life you are managing.  Why own a home and all the responsibilities if you are not going to reap benefits of ownership?  Why have THINGS if they are just items stuffed in corners, closets and baskets all over the house. 

If you spend hour (s) moving and switching out items. Or moving items out of the way to use other items or areas it could show a need for redefining your spaces, their purpose, desired function and holding to those refreshed priorities and goals.  It doesn't have to take long or involve alot of people; and may have to be all your stuff that is sacraficed for the functionality of all. But, it will be worth it.. as it is only stuff... take pictures to remember the treasured times with the items and enjoy the space their removal makes.

I did it from my bed, after taking some pictures of the room and its current arrangement, the available storage and items as they are currently and then thinking for a few minutes of what I wanted this valuable space to do.

Take a tour of your home.  Look at all the areas and "sections or stations" for activity.

What happens in these areas? (No Judging...) If you don't like the activities could rearranging the area change the enjoyment in that area?  Could removing an item create a new activity or focus?  Where would the item go?  Move the item!  Now take a picture of the empty space. :) ah that felt good didn't it!. 

Next.  Rearrange the room.  Is it working? If not keep going to get the result you invisioned.  It is important to have the space in working order and for it to be easy to explain and see the benefits.  (Be prepared for "skeptics and cool responses.... discuss the need for the change in a calm manner and then if over ruled.. accept it and move on..).

Enjoy the time with the changes and make sure you have everything neat and organized for the "reveal".

Did your first rearrangement work?? yeah me neither. But it did get the stuff out from under the furniture. My mind got to see and feel my idea and know it looked good and would have worked but the family needs to like it and agree to the new functions.  So I am awaiting the "next" arrangement but at least I made changes and some of them will last, cause it was my gift to our improved household efficiency and functioning.

As a result of moving things around and changing areas I will be getting rid of a desk and my skeletons ; ( and with that money I will get myself something for ME :).



The desk "closed" it is "raised and open" at the bottom.as to not block the vents in the floors.  It is 32'' wide.  Nice wood.  Dark brown (Mahogany) finish.

Inside view with "writing surface open.  Lots of cubbys and file holders. a "Wake Forest" phone book will fit in the opening to the left. and the smaller one fits in the ones on the right.    The small drawer above the opening in the center is perfect for stamps.

Drawers are "duck tailed" and spacious.

View with the drawers open. Top drawer is "full" the 2 smaller drawers split the length with the "closet storage area that will hold a hang file organizer box. and has a small drawer enclosed within the solid door.    $100.00

And my trust study aids.. Skelton in a bottle has a book about the skelton with it, the bones snap together like a puzzle to make the skeleton.  There is a "Key".  The parts have been numbered.  "Gently Used"   $10.00

this is my favorite, it is a "Minature of the Medical school (Anatomy) skeleton (dummy) the arms and legs articulate and the jaw and skull open and can be taken off.  One of the screws rolled away and has been replaced with a slightly large one. but it works well.  The stand unscrews from the base. and the legs could be folded if need be.  I purchased this from a medical school bookstore.    $25.00

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