Assessing Function

With the dreaded task of clutter clearing behind you, there’s not only less stuff to deal with, in the process you’ve also inventoried everything you’re keeping. But before you head to the store in search of bins and file boxes, take some time to brainstorm on the function of each room. The goal here is to make sure your stuff—and the work you do with it—is in the right place to begin with. For each main space, ask yourself these questions:

• How is the space currently used?

• What is the ideal use of the space?

• What changes do I need to make to meet the ideal (or at least get close to it)?

For example, let’s say your formal dining room has become the default location for bill-paying and general household paperwork. If this function has prevented you from using the room for special meals, the current setup is less than ideal. What you need is a dedicated office space.

A little creative brainstorming and thoughtful planning will lead you to the right solution. Perhaps you can carve some space out of a corner of the kitchen or living room. Or maybe you can equip an extra bedroom to serve as both office and guest quarters. Is there an underused closet that can be converted to an office (see page 146)? If the dining room offers the only available space in the house, let it serve double duty by moving the paperwork and office tasks to a modified armoire or corner unit with doors. Simply shut the doors to restore the formal ambience for dining.

Taking a step back and thinking about organization and function in the bigger picture is the key to making the most of your home’s available spaces. Once you’ve mapped out a plan for each room, you can narrow your focus to dealing with the stuff itself. The tips and projects in the following chapters will help you do just that.