Mama2Many4 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 How do you decide what needs to go when it comes to homeschool supplies or materials? I have 3 bookshelves full of stuff. My room looks cluttered but I really do need to keep everything I have. Is there a way to make everything that I have look neater and still keep it all? Please help. Someone who is more organized than me has to have some ideas. :bigear: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4OiBqWf-Fo/Td8HqSXMOwI/AAAAAAAAAb4/0PvrgTWDAL4/s1600/DSCN0376.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Well, I'd eat the Apple Jacks :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Well, I'd eat the Apple Jacks :D :lol: I need the box for a science experiment for this coming school year. I'm trying to gather all of the materials that I'll need for both boys. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Well, I'm in a similar boat. In the past, I've had so much stuff it has become overwhelming. I've decided I don't need to keep it all (nor do I want to). In fact, I don't need to keep most of it. My plan is: pull it all out, sort by topic (math, history, science, etc...). From each section, pull out only the *essential* items, nothing else. Then, I'm seriously weeding out what is left. So far, I've probably pulled out about 30% of my stuff to keep, about 50% is in the 'get rid of' pile, and I'm still deciding about the other 20% (some items I will keep, hopefully very few). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Well, I'm in a similar boat. In the past, I've had so much stuff it has become overwhelming. I've decided I don't need to keep it all (nor do I want to). In fact, I don't need to keep most of it. My plan is: pull it all out, sort by topic (math, history, science, etc...). From each section, pull out only the *essential* items, nothing else. Then, I'm seriously weeding out what is left. So far, I've probably pulled out about 30% of my stuff to keep, about 50% is in the 'get rid of' pile, and I'm still deciding about the other 20% (some items I will keep, hopefully very few). The only thing I worry about is if I'd be getting rid of something that I'll need later on. All of my kids are really young. Ugh, I hate clutter but need stuff. Wish I had a bigger space! :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Would you have the resources to replace one of the bookshelves with a cabinet with doors? I am very fortunate that I have a closet in my school room. I still have stuff everywhere because that is how I am, but the little stuff that creates the most visual clutter can go in the closet. If you could put all the odd shaped or small stuff behind closed doors, the open shelves could be just as full but look less cluttered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Subbing because I have some similar issues. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Is there a wall on another side of the room that has space at the top? You could put a shelf about 18" from the ceiling and store items you need infrequently up high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 The only thing I worry about is if I'd be getting rid of something that I'll need later on. All of my kids are really young. Ugh, I hate clutter but need stuff. Wish I had a bigger space! :tongue_smilie: I think this is one of the main reasons why we end up with so much stuff. My dad says "You fill the space you've got." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Looks pretty darned organized to me already! :D Guess I'm no help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 The only shelf that looks unorganized is the one on the farthest left. You have stuff spilling out of bins that are too small. Get a couple of larger containers for the bins that are overflowing. Then hang up curtains. I'd go with simple curtains with not a lot of design or bright colors to help ease the eye. Hang those curtains along the top of your shelves and the "clutter" instantly disappear. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Is there anything that you can put away in boxes? Books that you'll need in a couple of years, but aren't using right now? Is there a closet anywhere where you can store things like the games or the stuff you're collecting for science experiments? Other than that, my only suggestion would be, get another bookshelf or get a cabinet with doors to hide some of the stuff. Honestly it doesn't look that bad. I mean, at least it's all tidy and organized, even if it is a bit cluttered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Looks pretty darned organized to me already! :DGuess I'm no help. :iagree: It doesn't look that bad. I do go through all my stuff in closets, shelves, etc. (not just homeschooling stuff) once or twice a year and I try to be realistic about what we actually need, and what has just been sitting there taking up space. For example: Do the kids really and truly play all of those games on a regular basis? If not, I'd pick 3-4 of the regular games and donate the rest. It looks like you have 2 Children's Encyclopedia. Do you need both? Are they different from each other? Can you box up stuff that you know you will not be using right away and store it in another location- like the stuff you are saving for projects, etc? That's what I would do to tidy up the area a bit and make more room, but really, truly, it doesn't look overwhelming at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thanks for all the great ideas. I have some organizing to do today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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