Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Transition woes, and I don’t mean in the metaphysical sense
To me, transition is an ease and flow, smooth movement from one space to another unhindered by stacks of mail, backpacks and soccer gear. I’m talking about that zone between your “port of entry” (the garage/mudroom/however you get into the house) and your kitchen.This is the spot that trips up (literally and figuratively) nearly every household. It is the area that causes the most stress and consternation but, amazingly, gets the least problem-solving attention. No amount of hand-wringing, threat-flinging behavior is going to fix the horizontal filing system you have on your kitchen counters.
Most of us don’t have the luxury of remodeling our family foyers to fit our specific needs. However, take a look at your own congested entry and designate a space or solution for each problem area. Remember that the more things you can shed at the door, the easier it will be to transition into the heart of your home without dragging along residual “stuff.”
Note: Clutter isn’t necessarily things we don’t need. It can also be stuff we need but don’t know where to keep.
Problem: No organized space to drop things as you transition from garage to kitchen.
Solution: Counters can hold a master charging station for phone and PDAs, accommodate daily mail, and act as a memo center for the entire family. If you don’t have available counter space, consider adding a small table or designate a countertop for this particular use.
Problem: You have to wade through an ankle-deep swath of shoes and clothing to enter the kitchen.
Solution: Storage compartments and hooks can capture coats and backpacks before they end up on the floor. If you already have a closet by the garage entry, removing the closet doors will give easy access and prevent family members from getting trapped in the entryway bottleneck. Make storage options easy to reach so everyone can put away their own items.
Problem: Doggie items intermingle with family items.
Solution: Designate storage (a basket or bin will do) near the back door for leashes, outdoor toys and clean towels for muddy feet. Transfer dry food into plastic storage containers with lids for easy access and cleanup.
Problem: Bulk items such as toilet paper and canned goods are precariously piled near the back-door entry, or hogging valuable kitchen cabinet space.
Solution: Keep primary storage real estate clear for items used every day. Allocate bulk storage in an out-of-the-way area such as a corner of the basement. A shelving system in the garage will also hold most bulk items nicely.
Northern Virginia resident Melinda Mitchell is a professional organizer and design-build expert with Sun Design Remodeling Specialists Inc. (www.sundesigninc.com). She can be reached at 703-425-5588.
You must be logged in to post a comment.