Home help

Clutter not only takes up space around the home, it also takes up space in one’s head. If you can’t find things quickly, it is easy to end up late, frazzled and disorganised.

Taking stock of your home systems and layout and adjusting where necessary is not only satisfying, it saves time and hassle in the long run.

Here’s a wee list of things that can help your home run efficiently and feel comfortable and enjoyable.

A Command Centre.

No, this is not a spot to issue demands, this is an information centre, that is used and understood by the whole family.

A good command centre is simple to use and answers questions – this of it as the “Frequently Asked Questions” area in your home.

• It has a planner, so that everyone knows each other’s commitments and movements, and any special requests or appointments.
• It has places to put receipts, notices, mail, bills and all the pieces of paper that inevitably would otherwise clutter up horizontal surfaces, which is easy to follow.
• It has a place to leave each other notes or memos, which everyone knows to check
• It has a checklist for maintenance and jobs that need to be scheduled infrequently, and an up to date list of tradespeople and their contact details – the chimney sweep, the plumber, the arborist etc

A Work Space.

Not everyone has the luxury of space to have a dedicated office at home, but try and set aside a corner or spot where you can answer emails, write letters and pay bills. The dining table is often the default area, but is not ideal, as it is so frequently used for other things and not private.

A well stocked First Aid Kit.

A first aid kit is designed to help you in an emergency. When you are hut or unwell, time is often of the essence, so you should be able to go to once place and find everything you need for basic first aid – to clean and dress wounds, relieve pain, congestion, allergies or stings, assess fever and to hold any over the counter medicine. It should be in a predictable place, but out of reach of children. Remember to keep sharp scissors, spare tweezers and any other items you may need in an emergency with the kit, rather than having to rifle through drawers when you are in a hurry.

An orderly Pantry and a Shopping List.

Leave a notepad and pencil in a spot in your pantry and train your family to make a note of anything they finish in the pantry. It makes supermarket shopping far more efficient.

If you are a tech whizz, download an app to your smartphone which allows you to scan the bar or QR codes on packages and add them automatically to your digital shopping list.

Keep your pantry well ordered – use glass or plastic containers to avoid the problem of half opened packets spilling and stack neatly so you can always see what you have easily. Arrange spreads, drinks etc in their own areas so they are easy to find and have most frequently used items in the most accessible place.

A Sanctuary Space.

Again, the size of your home can make this tricky, but there is nothing lovelier than having a quiet corner to read or relax in, away from televisions, computers and general noise. A sanctuary space is good for the soul. Gather some comfortable cushions, a throw rug in case of a nap and a good dose of natural light. Bliss.

A Tool Kit.

If you have a garage or workbench, that’s wonderful, but within the home, there are a million little jobs that come up every day that require a small screwdriver, strong glue, or a spare washer. Set up a home kit which makes these easy (including at least a couple of lightbulbs) and home maintenance is less likely to build up. A sturdy step stool for changing bulbs and retrieving items from high cupboards is much safer than relying on chairs and a knife sharpener is also a key item.

Please feel free to share your clever ideas with us as well in the comments below!