In the three years that I have been organizing I notice this pattern. In most of my clients homes there is, what I call, “The One Room”. It is a room that has big aspirations to be a craft room, a meditating room, an office, a reading room etc. It’s potential is limitless. However over time it has become the dreaded storage room. It has become stuffed with boxes, christmas ornaments, old papers, used furniture, or clothes they no longer fit into. It has become way too easy to toss an item inside and quickly close the door and forget the stuff is even there. But here is the interesting part. Each time I enter a clients home for a consultation they overlook this room and label it a low priority. They rarely want to put time into organizing it. Perhaps they think because the door can be closed and company never sees it, it isn’t a room that needs their attention. Or perhaps it is because frequently the client knows half the items in the room can be donated or tossed and it’s just a matter of doing it. It’s also possible they are just so embarrased by the room they can’t bare to have another person in their with them. And let’s face it, it makes sense that they might want their kitchen organized first. The kitchen is a room they use every day.

However, Once I evaluate the situation, discuss the clients needs in more depth and learn more about whats really happening, the “One Room,” always ends up needing to be the top priority. I think this occurs for a few reasons. The first reason reminds me of something my father says. “It’s like wearing an Armani Suit, with underware full of holes.” So you look great on the outside, but underneath you know you’re a phony. It’s the same scenario with the “One Room.” Your guests may not know it’s there when they come to visit, but you do. And because you do, it drains you mentally. Also, clutter breeds more clutter. You say to yourself, “Well the room upstairs is already a mess, just put it in there.” This concept is very real for my husband. For him it doesn’t even need to be a room, if a corner is slightly cluttered, he’ll add to it and think it will go unoticed. There is also a more practical side of it. Because the “One Room” is full, everything else trickles to other corners and spaces of the house. Because you don’t have a craft room, meditating room, home office, or reading room the craft supplies, paperwork, or books don’t have a home. 

So I urge you to consider the impact your “One Room” has on you. It may be giving you more trouble than you realize. 

So here is my latest find.... It’s managemyhome.com from Sears. It’s a website where you can download all your product manuals. You can access a list of home maintenance to do’s so you don’t have to maintain your own list. You can also upload photos for insurance purposes and keep them on hand, online. I am sure there is more. I found out about this while watching Extreme Home Makeover. It looks like a great service. In fact I would say in 9 out of 10 homes that I work in there is no current system for the product manuals for the home. They are never in one place and on hand when they are needed. Which I know can be VERY frustrating. Now you can simply toss the manuals and always have a source online. Even if you haven’t purchased the item(s) from Sears. I also love the idea of having the photos of your home for insurance purposes online. If you ever do have a fire, you don’t have to worry about putting photos in a fire safe box or safety deposit box. They are saved online and accessible from anywhere.