The endless stream of bills, magazines, and catalogs that flow into your house can really drown you -- and your living space -- in paper. Fight back against the clutter with these ten countertop-saving tips.
1. Create a space just for your mail. The best place is on a little table right inside the door through which you regularly enter. Put a garbage can there too, so you can chuck all of the unwanted stuff immediately.
2. Have an inbox and outbox. These can be wall pockets, a leather box, or a pouch that hangs off a knob on the back door. Or go the extra step with an inbox for each category of incoming mail so you can sort it as soon as you walk in the door: a box for your bills, a "to read eventually" box, a box for his mail, and one for her mail. Your outbox is for what goes out with you the next day.
3. Place a container near the door. Place your bike lock, keys, sunglasses, stamps, change, and everything else that goes in and out with you every day in this spot. This will keep these things from scattering across tabletops too.
4. Have a main bin. Use a photo box or cute decorated shoebox if you live in a small apartment with little space for multiple inboxes and outboxes. You can put your bills, stamps, checkbook, and a pen inside, and place it on a bookshelf for easy access. Just make sure the lid is on when guests come by.
5. Get as many bills and statements online as you can. Pick one day a month when you go in, download your credit card bills and bank statements and back them up on CD to reduce the chance of identity theft.
6. Have mobile file boxes to keep your paperwork organized and handy. When mail comes in, either file it away or shred it.
7. Keep a paper shredder for safe disposal of paperwork with personal identification information. (You can get a good shredder for as cheap as $30.) If you have kids, be sure to put it away after every use.
8. Deal with your mail on a regular basis. Don't get overwhelmed every month -- look at your schedule and pick one day a week to spend half an hour going through it.
9. Purge your files once a year. If you aren't sure about throwing away something, ask your accountant.
[Nest Note] The IRS has three years to audit you, so you can probably get rid of files older than that. Read more tax tips.
10. Designate a place for magazines and catalogs. If you live in an apartment, save space with a leaning rack or wall pockets. If you live in a house, put the rack or basket fairly close to the entrance for easy depositing. Or, put them where the magazines and catalogs would actually get read (in the bedroom, bathroom, etc.).
[Nest Expert] Amy Brenna of Brenna Consulting, the organization wiz. For more great ideas, visit BrennaConsulting.com.
Our favorite paper-sorting products
Add style and organization to your place with these bins and baskets.
1. Wall Bucket
Pretty metal holder for use as an inbox or outbox.
Decoupage Bucket, $29 PBTeen.com
2. File Folders
Put your incoming and outgoing in order with these cheeky files.
In/Out/Limbo File Folder Set, $6 for set of three, FredFlare.com
3. Letter Box
Use this for inboxes and outboxes, a personal "mailbox," and more.
Library Letter Box, $11.99, ContainerStore.com
4. Wall Magazine Rack
Get your mags off the coffee table already.
Clifton Magazine Rack, $69, PotteryBarn.com
5. Trash Can
Put this cheery tub by the back door for junk mail.
Tub Trug Bucket, $15, PlasticaShop.com
6. Stackable File Boxes
Keep these nearby for organizing bills and other important papers.
Blu Dot Stackable File, $15 - $90 each, DesignPublic.com
by Natalie Ermann Russell
1/31/08
See more:
cleaning & organizing,
Decor Tricks