Love Your Space Challenge #19: Conquer Paper Clutter {in 3 easy steps}

Howdy! Only two more challenges left! I can’t even begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed doing all of these fun little projects, and not just because I’m a decorating crazy machine, but because of all the motivation and inspiration I had from all of your comments, excitement, and participation. So. Much. Fun. I have a feeling “Love Your Space Challenges” aren’t going away forever… 😉  Speaking of challenges, I hope you were able to repurpose something this weekend, I would love to hear about it!

Well, after this busy month, something else is happening next.  Up to Date Interiors is almost a year old. Aw! February 2nd is the big day and I have a whole week of exciting posts planned for you the first week of February.  Gosh, I can’t believe it’s almost here.

Now, on to today’s challenge….  If you have missed any of the previous ones or want to start at the beginning, just click on a link of this long list!

Week 1 Living Spaces

Challenge #1: Move a Piece of Furniture

Challenge #2: Hang Something New on Your Wall

Challenge #3: Style Your Coffee Table

Challenge #4: Add Fresh Air

Challenge #5: Style Your Bookcase

Week 2 Sleeping Spaces

Challenge #6: Change Your Textiles (bedding)

Challenge #7: Change Your Drawer Knobs

Challenge #8: Have Your Clothes Ready to Wear

Challenge #9: Dress Your Dresser

Challenge #10: Be Ready for Guests

Week 3 Eating Spaces

Challenge #11: Set Up a Tea/Coffee Station

Challenge #12: Spruce Up Your Seating

Challenge #13: Organize Your Pantry. Fast.

Challenge #14: Style Your Buffet/Sideboard

Challenge #15: Treat Your Kitchen Window

Week 4 Bathroom, Laundry room, and Office

Challenge #16: Make Your Bathroom Pretty

Challenge #17: Organize your Laundry Room

Challenge #18: Repurpose Something!

Challenge #19: Conquer Paper Clutter

Challenge #20:  Organize a Junk Drawer

Love Your Space Challenge #19

Conquer Paper Clutter

Okay, I realize some of you winced when you read that but hopefully some of you are excited.  A little bit? Anyone? It’s not Friday so I am not excepting more than 15 or 20 minutes of your time. 😉 See, I’m looking out for you! Now, I am just talking about mail, bills, stuff kids bring home, etc…

Here are three easy steps I use to keep my kitchen counter, desk top, and dining table paper free, most of the time…

Option 1:  Get to the source of the problem.  Go paperless whenever possible.  You can do just about everything online now, so whatever you feel comfortable doing online, do it.  I am even slowing transitioning to reading magazines online.  If you do enjoy reading and saving magazines (like moi), only keep the ones that you like more than 3 or 4 pages.  Otherwise, rip out those pages and put them in a portfolio or scan into your computer.

Option 2:  Be ready. As soon as you enter the door with any “paper items” in hand, have a place for them to go.  We have a recycling bin right outside the door, so junk mail and trash doesn’t even come inside the house.  For other items that just need a place to sit until used, read, or filed away,  there is a basket right by the front door.  (I go through my basket at least once a week to keep it manageable).

(This basket was handmade by Baskets by Emily and we love it! You can check out her website here.)

Option 3:  Keep filing easily accessible. We have a crate of files stored in the garage but for the few important papers I need to file away weekly, I put in my “basket” file which is conveniently located in our front room. (By my pretty desk!)

Tip: If you have kids, let them pick a favorite story, drawing, project once a week/bi-weekly, recycle the rest (when they aren’t watching). 😉 Display their favorites.  (UPDATE:  My best friends suggested taking pictures of all your child’s artwork and then create a photo book at the end of the year.  She is full of great ideas!)

via Martha Steward

 There you have it, a quick little Monday organizing!  Come back tomorrow for our last challenge and then we’ll finish the week with some Valentine’s Day inspired posts. Okay?