I want to clean up my shop, but where do I begin? That’s what I was asking myself and there’s only one answer. Just begin!!! I honestly put off starting the cleanup as long as I could. But, once I got started, I was so happy I did.
So, to recap. Some blogger friends and I are challenging you to clean up your act and reorganize your creative space. Why REORGANIZE instead of just ORGANIZE? Because, probably if you’re like me you have had your space organized and let it slooowly get messy again. It’s what we creative types do!
Years ago I remember my friend Donna from Funky Junk Interiors talk about “shuffle” and “gut”. I think you can probably figure out what that means. The best way to clean out any space is to empty it out. That’s sort of what we did with the garage reorganization a few months ago. With a space like my basement shop gutting really isn’t an option.
I’m going to tell you the best way to clean out a space and try to get organized.
If you’re not able to clear out your entire space, start with one corner. You can see I started removing STUFF and clearing out this far corner. The key is to not handle stuff more than once. While you have it in your hand, put it where you want it to go. Of course that’s not possible with everything you move, but the harder you try to follow this tip the better it will be.
I was able to combine many boxes of glassware into just a few plastic totes. I put the empty boxes out for recycling.
If your space is dirty sweep as you go. In this case I had to clean every little space as I moved out the clutter because most of it is actually staying in the basement.
I’m seeing more floor space, little by little.
I’ve really just begun, and the month is almost half over! I still have so much to do but I know you’re counting on me. I have committed to doing this clean up your act challenge, and I will get there. So will you! It’s really just one day at a time and we can do this!
Be sure to follow along each week as we clean up our act. See updates from my friends here:
If you’d like to accept our clean up your act challenge and maybe wind some awesome prizes you can add your before photo of your CREATIVE space below.
**WINNERS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER AND RESIDE IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Both a “before” and “after” photo must be submitted to be entered. Decisions of the judges are final. We reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not meet the criteria. Winners must provide shipping address within 24 hours of being notified or a new winner will be chosen. We are not responsible for lost or mis-delivered prizes.
Thanks to our fabulous brands! Kreg , Homeright and RYOBI! (be sure to click the Ryobi link to learn all about their DREAM WORKSHOP)
Mindi says
January 10, 2018 at 10:59 amThis is awesome, what a fun challenge, I am about to start cleaning out my porch and workshop! It is overwhelming, and I need to just get started like you said, my porch is a MESS! Great job Gail, you are inspiring!
Gail Wilson says
January 10, 2018 at 12:15 pmawww, thanks Mindi!
I hope to get the majority of the work done at the end of this week. BUT I need to figure out how to get more organized with the tools and future projects. It’s a small space so I don’t have the trouble of finding things like I do in the garage shop. lol
good luck with your space!
gail
Sandy says
January 10, 2018 at 9:00 amSo excited- I finished my garage organization last weekend! It’s so clean and organized, I don’t want to do anything in there that would make a mess! Looking forward to seeing everyone’s success.
Gail Wilson says
January 10, 2018 at 9:50 amsooo awesome Sandy! I know the good feeling you’re experiencing. As I have said, my garage was done a few months ago, and I have worked so hard on not letting it get bad again. I don’t know how long I can keep it up because “life happens” but for now when I walk in there I can’t help but smile! 🙂
congrats! Good luck with the giveaway!
gail
Jennie says
January 10, 2018 at 8:31 amOrganized and sorted 3 boxes, 2 medium and 1 big one yesterday. Still can’t get in the room very far. Still working on it. Need a shelf in the room.
Gail Wilson says
January 10, 2018 at 9:51 amAmple storage is a must! But keeping it looking tidy is the real challenge for me. I have a storage shelf in the garage that holds a LOT of this-n-that but it looks awful!
Whenever I need extra space, I go UP! I’ve got plenty of stools for reaching tall spaces. 😉
wishing you lots of continued success Jennie!
gail
Jennie says
January 10, 2018 at 4:16 pmOh I’d love to have a spot to work on furniture in the garage. My husband is an access control contractor Monday to Friday, but he also is the operations manager and percussionist for Chandler Symphony Orchestra. He also plays for a few other groups, Ahwatukee Brass Band, and church groups. The Orchestra trailer lives in the garage, with miscellaneous drums and stands. He does share work tools, when he’s not at work. If I’m doing a project I’m on the patio trying not to make a mess. Every nap time for the grand baby I’m working on getting it together.
Eliz~ says
January 10, 2018 at 6:51 amI am loving these clean ups. I just love having a system of keeping my things organized now. When I was young (under 60) it was no biggie to clutter my space. Now I don’t have time to clean up before eeeevery project! :o)
Gail Wilson says
January 10, 2018 at 9:53 amsooo true. How awful it is to want to do a project and not have a horizontal work space that isn’t cluttered. Any space in my house like that seems to get piled up, no matter how hard I work at keeping it at bay.
I’ve been out of town on a biz trip, now it’s time to get back to work on not only the basement, but my diy home improvement updates as well. yikes!
gail