Less is Best

Nothing beats the perfect planning of a custom closet, especially when it keeps shoes, bags and clothing ready for wear. For this his-and-hers closet. Archipelago Hawaii, Refined Island Interiors, delivered in  a boutique-like Studio Becker wardrope with plenty of hanging options and drawer storage. Photo by: Augie Salbosa

 What if $1,000 was waiting for you, inside your own home, and all you had to do was uncover it? One homeowner was so lucky. She discovered checks and cash as she began to sort through her belongings in a quest to get organized, says organization expert Kelly Galvin of Organized in Paradise. “Without fail, at some point during organizing sessions, I hear, ‘I’ve been looking for that!’” she says.

Galvin is a member of the National Association of Organizing Professionals, which named January “Get Organized” month. Starting off the New Year neat and tidy ranks high on the resolution list, she says, next to losing weight and exercising more. Just like getting healthy, getting organized takes preparation and commitment.

Try out these suggestions and tips from top local organization experts to start out the year with less stuff and less stress. You may have already won $1,000.

Getting Started

“Start by thinking about the end,” Galvin advises. Just jumping into the project leads to short-term cleanups; long-term function takes planning. Brent Potter of Organized Living agrees. “Don’t think about how you are using the space now. Think about how you would like to use it in a perfect world,” he says.

Now, make room for that cleaned-up vision—sort and toss. “Consider what you really need. People, especially in Hawaii, have small homes and apartments, and our possessions start to crowd our lives,” says interior designer Cathy Lee of RSVP Style.

Start with closets. Karen Lynch of aCertainStyle says, “Closets are the biggest problem that people have. You can’t continue if your closet is already a mess.” When sorting clothing, Galvin suggests pulling everything out of the closet, the laundry and other storage areas. Then, make two piles: keep and toss. Be realistic about what fits, what is useful and what hasn’t been worn since New Year’s 1984.

Letting go is where many of us get stuck. We come up with plenty of reasons for keeping stuff we don’t need. It was expensive. It was a gift. I’m saving it for my children. If I lose weight, it will fit. If I get it fixed, it will still be good. Not good. “When you keep only what you use and love, you will really have enough,” Galvin says.

Tiare Noelani Cowan of Archipelago, Refined Island Interiors knows how to move past this emotional attachment: Put rarely used but still-sentimental items into a box. If none are used in a month, toss the box without opening it. “Decluttering makes everyone feel better,” Cowan says.

Bring this exercise into the kitchen. “Put all of your utensils in a box. Take items out as you need them. Anything left in the box after a month can be tossed,” Galvin suggests. Get rid of single-use appliances. Eliminate old food in the pantry and condiments in the fridge while you are at it.

Trying to hit each space all at once can be overwhelming. Finish one storage space; then, take a break. Cowan suggests working in one area each month. All our experts agree: Continue this process throughout the rest of the home, and come back at least biannually.
With each purge, stress decreases. “Once you have finished, you feel accomplished. Your day is made,” Lynch says.

But don’t literally toss everything, advises Lee. Instead, donate gently used, well-cared-for items. “There are so many good charitable organizations that get used items into hands that need them,” she says. Organizations, such as The Salvation Army and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, will even pick up items for donation.

Where to Put Stuff

American Cabinetry: American Cabinetry designed this custom closet with its Design Studio NV line. THe company chose cherry cabinetry, which it manufactured here in Hawaii to the homeowners' specifications. Photo by Alex Viarnes of Poi Boy Productions

When all that is left is the “keep” pile, it’s time to plan an organization system. Common sense tells us, things we use most should be kept within reach. Good storage makes life easier, but bad storage becomes just more junk to hide in the closet, Lee says. This is where a professional organizer and a custom-made closet/organization system make life easier.

Kamuela Potter at Organized Living provides homeowners with her expertise and the ORG line of custom closet, home office, pantry and entertainment systems. “Our designers look at what a client has and ask a lot of questions to determine the best system for that client,” Brent Potter says. Kamuela Potter’s  goal when designing storage is to utilize every inch of space with drawers, rods, shelves, hooks, racks, or even a built-in ironing board. ORG storage systems are made of 3/4-inch thick panels that come in four solid colors and five wood grains. Plus, the panels are made from 100 percent recycled material. Potter recommends these systems throughout the house, including entertainment centers that neatly hide electronics, and custom pantries. “We can incorporate adjustable shelves to accommodate large or small items, shelf dividers for platters, and even pullout wicker baskets for onions and potatoes,” she says.

In addition to being functional, Archipelago’s Cowan notes that custom organization systems look good. “Making your organizational system work with your décor helps to keep a nice, cohesive flow to your home,” she says. Archipelago offers Studio Becker’s customizable wardrobe line. The line’s pullout shelves, garment hangers, specially-engineered hangers, garment carousel and more come in natural maple, natural beech and mahogany-stained beech finishes. Add in Studio Becker bells and whistles, such as a safe, pullout mirror or a makeup refrigerator, and the closet becomes a highly functional, yet luxurious room.

If storage on a large scale is necessary, especially during a move or while remodeling, call on the professionals at M. Dyer and Sons. The company’s crews will professionally pack and seal household items, then safely secure them in its Pearl City facility. Whatever the storage reason, Rebecca Parker, manager, recommends taking time to clean out cupboards and sorting through goods first. “Think about what you want to keep, and how you will freshen your home’s look when you get where you are going,” Parker says. Take time also to consider each item that will be stored. Hazardous materials, such as cleaning supplies and fertilizers, can damage other items. “These are your memories, your family’s history,” she adds.

Habits of the Highly Organized

Organized Living: This custom koa home office had to do double duty, so designer Kamuela Potter of Organized Living incorporated a Murphy bed to turn the space instantly into a guest room. She continued the koa to unify the space. photo by David Croxford.

It’s not magic. Organized people aren’t better than us messy folk. They are just disciplined. “Organized people create systems and maintain the systems. Maintenance is the key,” Cowan says.

They are also good at keeping inventory. One in; one out. “Storage systems can provide a space for everything, but if you keep accumulating, you’ll soon run out of space again,” Potter says.

Living in the present keeps them from becoming sentimental, Galvin adds. “They don’t hold on to excessive things from their pasts or for unknown futures,” she says. They also know when they can’t do it alone, and they’ll call in experts.

But, remember, nobody is perfect. Organize in moderation, and if it becomes too stressful, take a break. And, it’s OK to need your junk drawer, Lee adds.

The Big Payoff

Custom entertainment centers are the perfect solution for DVD collections, high tech stereo systems and state-of-the-art television. This custom koa entertainment center brought out the creativity in builder To Zelko, of King & Zelko Hawaiian Woodworks. He included pullout storage for DVDs, plus room for a flat screen TV and stereo equipment. Zelko took it a step further by designing the system to grow with the homeowner. Once DVDs are replaced by new technology, the shelving inside can be converted. All openings for audio/visual equipment were constructed larger than current models to accommodate newer, bigger items later. photo by Augie Salbosa

 Who doesn’t want to reduce the amount of time spent housecleaning by 40 percent? Or, who wouldn’t want to save 55 minutes each day usually spent hunting for stuff? Who dislikes coming home to a clean, calm environment?

All three—fewer chores, more time and less stress—are outcomes of getting organized. “If your home is overloaded, cluttered and disorganized, it cannot provide a place for rest and recovery,” Galvin says.

Plus, clutter costs. Homeowners tend to buy items they already have but can’t find, or they have to replace items damaged by negligence. It also costs family relationships. Friction from messes causes emotional strain.

“No one should feel stressed out by simply entering their own home. It should be the opposite—your home should be the place where you escape the stresses of the outside world,” Galvin says. All it takes is a little diligence.

Tips

Function and aesthetics determine the right storage piece.

1 - Use matching hangers and specialty pieces to keep closets tidy and garments accessible. Hangers, $4.49, from Ross; accessory loop, $3.99, and tie/belt rack, $8.99, both from City Mill.

2 - To fix those messy utensil drawers, place a rubber mat on the bottom. It will keep utensils from sliding and scattering when opening and closing the drawer. Shelf liner, $3.99, from City Mill.

3 - Start with the right tools. Brother label maker, $49.95, from Office Max.

4 - In closets or storage areas, use see-through plastic bins. The stackable variety is best, otherwise these containers can just add to the mess. Sweater boxes, $5.99 each, from City Mill.

5 - Place a bin or basket for each child near the entrance of the house for backpacks, shoes and other items. Kept here, these items will be ready to grab on the way out the door, saving parents from “I can’t find my…” headaches while keeping the entryway tidy. Baskets, $37.50 each, from SoHa.

6 - For storage that has to be kept in view, or to make use of those spaces between the cabinets and ceiling, look for pretty woven boxes with lids. They’ll keep stuff dust-free while looking good. File boxes, $96 each, and large rectangular boxes, $63, from Pacific Home.

Where To Get It

American Cabinetry
619 Mapunapuna St.
838-7770
www.american-cabinetry.com

Fiddler’s
330 Kamani St.
592-0233           

Archipelago, Refined Island Interiors
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 121A
536-7739
www.archipelagohawaii.com

C. S. Wo
1 Location on Oahu and 1 on the Big Island
702 South Beretania St.
543-5388
www.cswo.com

City Mill
8 Locations on Oahu
Honolulu 660 N. Nimitz Hwy.
533-3811
www.citymill.com

King & Zelko
201 Kapaa Quarry Road
261-7239
www.kingandzelko.com

M. Dyer & Sons
98-054 Kuleana Road, Pearl City
456-4200
www.mdyerandsons.com

Organized Living
94-547 Ukee St. Unit 307, Waipahu
678-0096
www.orgliving.com

Pacific Home
420 Ward Ave.
596-9338
www.pacific-home.com

SoHa
1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Ward Centre
591-9777
www.sohaliving.com

RSVP Style
www.rsvpstyle.com�