Creating a Drop Zone
by: Rosanne Larkins
Have you ever tried to run out of the house only to realize you have no idea where your car keys are? Have you ever had an overdue library book because you couldn’t find it or didn’t remember you even had one? Do you ever get frustrated by the piles of stuff in the kitchen, foyer, or trails to other rooms after kids or family members come in the door and leave a trail on their way through the house? Now is the time to gain control!
These are all real life dilemma’s that face families today. Frustrations from dealing with clutter sprawled out across the house, stress from not being able to find things, anxiety when you are late because you don’t have what you need. Setting up a household launch pad or drop zone can easily accommodate these issues.
First, you need to identify which items are being brought in and out of the house regularly. They may be lying around right now. Things like car keys, cell phones, purses, briefcases, umbrellas, lunch boxes, coats, hats, gloves, and sports equipment. Look around at the layout of your kitchen, foyer (back door or front), other nearby rooms or even garage area to identify spaces where these things can comfortably be stored. The actual location depends on where your family enters and “drops things” as they arrive. The four steps to take are identifying the items, determine the best space/containers that fit these items, involve all those using the space, and make it easy.
Some solutions include setting up labeled containers for gloves, hats, scarves, etc. These are seasonal so it is better to have them in containers that can be stacked remotely when not in season. Small baskets or hooks near the doorway can make good stations for keys and cell phones. Hooks can be placed near doorways for backpacks, umbrellas and frequently used coats and jackets.
For purses, brief cases, etc., identify a place based upon how often these items are accessed. Mudrooms, foyers, den corners/cabinets or kitchen areas can make good locations. It is important to identify an acceptable place and make that “home” for them. A space can be assigned for lunch boxes in a lower kitchen cabinet. A basket can be placed near the TV or entertainment center to hold library books. Sporting goods can be a great challenge. First decide what is “indoor” versus “outdoor” gear and assign space accordingly. Shelving, bins and boxes can be installed and labeled for most of these needs in the garage near the doorway or in larger back foyers or mudrooms. It is important that these storage areas have enough space to adequately hold the quantity of items you intend to keep. The key to creating these areas is to know what you need to store, have an adequate space for what you keep and communicate to others.
Rosanne Larkins, Defining Time & Space Professional Organizing, www.definingtimeandspace.com
