A few years ago, I was approached by a magazine to respond to a reader’s letter asking how to go about re-organising their garden shed. I thought about it recently while doing just that – clearing, sorting and re-organising a client’s garden shed. And do you know, I realised that while every project is different and every client has different needs, the BASIC principles remain the same. Here is my updated version of HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR GARDEN SHED.

What is important to know when planning on re-organising your garden cottage?

First of all you need to set aside some time where you will not be distracted, and preferably with help. You might want to do this in two stages. If you do it in two stages, make sure it’s not too far apart. The first stage would be the clear out and the second stage would be deciding where everything would go, labelling shelves or storage and putting it all back in the different categories. If you do it in one go, do the first part, take a good break and then tackle the second bit.

Now, how do I do it?

• Working from one side to the other, and top to bottom, start clearing out the shed. Have space to lay everything out so that you can see what there is.
• Once the shed is empty, sweep, dust, get rid of cobwebs etc.
• Add shelves and hooks to get things off the ground. It always looks neater and encourages you to replace things where they belong
• Buy some sturdy plastic storage that you would be able to stack. First work out what you will need, and THEN go shopping. If you get clear containers, you will be able to see the contents. If you go for black or coloured ones, ensure you label them clearly!!
• Now back to the sorting. Have a box for donations/give aways, a box for recycling, a box for the rubbish dump. Again, working from one side, methodically touch each item and make a decision. The broken or damaged ones are easy. THROW THEM OUT. Now deal with the others -  Is it used? Does it have a purpose in your home? Why is it there? Why are you keeping it? Touch, make a decision and move on to the next item. Anything you are not sure of, put on one side to come back to later.
• Now that everything is sorted, you might want a break. Move the boxes for donating, recycling and rubbish dump out to the car, trailer, truck!!! Have a cuppa, and check out what is left behind.
• Divide your space into different areas –painting section, gardening section, tools and general. Think of a pre-school space, where there are stations for different activities. Do the same with the shed.
• Now put everything you are keeping back. All paint tins with labels facing forward, all brushes together in a container etc., then move on to the gardening stuff, and so on. Ensure that everything has a home – you could label the shelves so that things go back without any stress. If you are using containers that stack, don’t put too many on top of each other, and ensure they are clearly labelled. Ideally you should be able to read them from the door.
• Also ensure there is a space to work on, or if not, a folding table that can be used to work on.
• Good lighting is also important.
• Now that you are done, show it off, and enjoy your new organised space. Encourage replacing things each time they are used and a monthly once over to keep it looking good and working to perfection.

Who really, really likes housework? Not me…I am always keen to find ways to reduce the amount of housework I need to do, so that I have more time to relax, more time to enjoy my hobbies, more time with family and friends. Here are my favourite tips that make housekeeping easier for me….

1. Put your clothes away every night. Don’t be tempted to toss your clothes on a chair or the floor. It only takes a couple of seconds to put them away or in your laundry basket.

2. Don’t hold onto more than you need and use. All those appliances in the back cupboard. Vases never taken down. Ornaments gathering dust. Multiple towels and linen sets kept for visitors…. Let go… 

3. Wipe down surfaces every time. Wiping away grease and food splatter immediately cuts down on the heavy cleaning later.

4. Don’t have too much decorative stuff on beds. Decorative pillows and throw blankets might look good, but don’t have too much. The fewer steps it takes to make your bed every morning, the more likely you'll do it.

5. Put shoes and jackets away. Have a coat rack at the front door, and a place for outdoor shoes.

6. Wash up or stack the dishwasher regularly. What more can I say!

7. Put things back where they came from. Putting things away every time means you will find them easily, and your home will look neater, cleaner and more inviting.

Try it for yourself!

So, the holidays are over, friends and family have left, and life starts to get back to normal. All the eating, drinking, entertaining and hosting has taken its toll…on your kitchen. It's time to get it back in shape for the New Year ahead.

1. Ditch the dead herbs and spices

Sort out your herbs and spices. Get rid of anything you really don’t use, won’t use and have definitely past their best. Wipe done bottles, decant bags into small containers and clean out the spice rack before putting everything you will use back.

2. Sort out your cutlery drawer and plastics cupboard

It’s time to do a proper cutlery sort out and let go anything you don’t use. If you don’t already have one, get a cutlery organiser. Do the same with your utensils. Do your really need 3 potato peelers? Now move on to the dreaded plastics. Recycle all pieces without partners and any containers that don’t seal properly. The same applies to all those containers that are past their best.

3. Wipe down and clean kettle, toaster, oven, microwave and fridge

These appliances have worked overtime over the holidays and deserve a little TLC. Wipe down your kettle, toaster, oven, microwave and fridge. Squeeze lemon juice into a bowl of water and microwave on high for 3 minutes to clean the inside of your microwave. Use a paste of bicarb, vinegar and water to clean out your oven. Its non-toxic and wont scratch your surfaces. Wipe out your fridge with a vinegar/water solution which disinfects and cleans at the same time.

4. Take control of the fridge and pantry

Now that you have emptied the fridge to clean it, it’s time to see what you have, discard all those old leftovers, wipe down all condiment bottles and only put back what you will use. Do the same with your pantry or grocery cupboard. Donate all the foodie gifts you won’t eat and dry goods left behind my visitors.

5. Clear your countertops

Too much stuff cluttering the countertops? Clear the counters completely. Take a look at what there is. Now decide what really needs to be there. My rule of thumb is “as little as possible” and only items you use all the time. Everything else needs to find new homes.

Brand New Year, brand new kitchen!