Making SPACE -

Now, says Morgenstern, it is time to work out your SPACE - meaning to Sort, Purge, Assign, Containerize and Equalize. 

Sort out similar items and group them. Don't, for example, have the bookshelf across the room from your reading chair, or your bound to end up with a stack of books on the floor next your chair. Consider placing a bookshelf perpendicular to the wall to help block off your reading area. 

Now Purge what doesn't belong. Ask yourself, for example, if those pencils rally have a reason to be in the reading corner. 

Then Assign everything a home. Things should be put away in the same place every time so everyone knows where they are- and where they go.  It's a lot like kindergarten: Everything had a place, and the items were easily put away in about five minutes during clean-up time. 

Next Containerize items, Morgenstern says. Figure out what needs to be in what container, determine what size the container should be, and then go shopping. That might mean looking for basket and drawer units, or it might mean buying a few extras of things you already have in your house. 

Finally, Equalize: Have a rule that everyday at a certain time, the room gets cleaned up. And then once a year, give it an over-haul, checking to see what you should keep an what you should throw away. This is especially important if there are kids at home because their interests change as they get older. 

Organizing the room may seem like a big task. But by planning before you act, it should be easy. For more information on Julie Morgenstern, or to order one of her books, visit www.juliemorgenstern.com. 

-By Dan Heaton