Wide Open Spaces...

Someone in our Clutter Diet program just posted a suggestion for us to talk about "table clutter." We in the organizing biz refer to this as a problem with "undesignated space."

Let's say you have some kind of open, flat surface--it could be a countertop, a formal dining table that you never use much, a sideboard or credenza, or a ledge. We call it "undesignated space" because the flat surface does not have any kind of formal purpose. Since it has no designated, regular function of its own, it doesn't really need to get picked up and maintained because there is nothing else more important that needs to be done there. It invites you seductively to set something down "just for now," and when one object gets placed there, it seems like it's more acceptable to put another one there. Before you know it, the surface is covered.

What is it covered with? DELAYED DECISIONS & ACTIONS. These delays are the root of almost all clutter... things that you don't know what to do with or have not done. Here's what you need to do to fix this problem:

1. Catch yourself before putting something there out of habit. If you're thinking "just for now" or "let me just do (something else) first," you probably just created some new clutter.
2. Instead of looking at the items on the surface as things, think of them as delayed decisions and actions. Ask yourself what is the next action that needs to be taken with each object. It may be, "I need to decide where to put this in my house," or "I need to take that back to my sister's apartment," or "I need to put that in my recycling bin." Make the decision & take the action as soon as possible.
3. If there are themes and trends to the items you're placing on the surface, you probably need to establish a permanent home or station for those common objects. For example, we talk all the time about creating a "Destination Station" at the place where you enter & exit the home. Make a home for your keys, your purse, the kids' shoes, the phones & chargers... all of the things you know are going to keep coming in and out consistently.
4. Have a rule for yourself and your family about how often the space will get cleared. Your kitchen countertops probably need to get cleared daily, but you may have other surfaces that you allow to go for a week before calling in the troops. Your rule will be unique to your situation, but whatever it is, stick to it and deal with the items you find there.
5. Discuss this with all parties involved, get their perspectives on the situation, and make sure they understand what's expected of them. If kids are involved, well, you're going to have to be involved too. Think about how you can make it as easy as possible for them to put things away in the right places. Using wall hooks and open containers without lids, and thinking about height and proximity to the door are all important considerations for making it easier and more intuitive for them.

Another place where the "undesignated space" concept happens is those tempting little cubby systems that look like they are the answer to all of your organizing problems. On your desk or countertop it would be the perfect place to put those papers and get them out of the way, right? If you don't designate those cubbies with a purpose, they soon become a NEST of jumbled papers that make no sense. You can label them for Bills, Catalogs, Deposit Slips, or whatever categories make sense for your situation, and that will keep a structure to them that works well. Usually we set these up as bill paying stations when we work with clients.

What undesignated spaces do you have in YOUR house? Share in the comments!

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Comments

[Karen Cooke]

Thank you for this! This describes my entire home. Every horizontal surface is covered in things I plan to look at or put away later, only later never comes! This will get me on the path to a solution.

[Genny Esterline]

Love the "Delayed Decisions and Actions" thought process and your designation station philosophy. When I blended homes with my Fiancee I had to quickly create a designation station for him. Before I did that he would drop his keys in one place, wallet in another and the cellphone who knows where. Inevitably it caused undue stress in the morning hunting things down when he really needed to be able to walk out the door, or worse he would forget one thing. I have read about your designation station before and applied it. IT WORKS! Thank you.

Genny Esterline
www.connectionsforwomen.com

[Leslee Downer]

Mail seemed to be our 'enemy' of keeping surfaces clear. So my first decision was to delete all unnecessary mail coming in the door. Just that made a huge difference in not having to deal with so much 'stuff'. By getting our names off mailing lists, we decreased the incoming mail by 90%. Then it was a piece of cake to take care of the remaining 10%

[Julia Urwin]

I agree with Leslee's comment. I spent several months having my name removed from catalogue after catalogue. I rarely ordered from them and now that I am in transition I definitely don't want to order from them. Time has been freed up sorting the daily mail, there's less clutter, I feel less harried that I have not reviewed the catalogues and most importantly it is a easy step towards a greener environment.

[Jennifer Baltz]

Great post! You're so right ... undesignated spaces get filled up when we leave projects to be finished later. Lately, I've been working on #1...and I think I need to create more permanent homes, too!

[Sue Denney]

One way to get rid of one undesignated place that everyone has (the dining room table)is to keep it permanently set with your nicest dishes and place settings...as an appraiser I see this in homes quite often....shows off your nice disheds too. You won't be putting any clutter on it then!

[Vicki Shimp]

I signed up a week or two ago and haven't gotten back up since.

I see you've been talking about my biggest bugaboo. Not allowing a space to be undesignated. I do genealogy at home and have all my aunt and grandmother's papers and books. My house is beginning to smell like an old person's house because of all the old books and papers. (By the way, I'm probably now the old person!!!))

I have a terrible time sticking to task. I like the idea of setting the table, but my grandchildren use the table for crafts, etc. I can't get ahead of the papers. Help!!!!

[chaotic kitten]

Wow, this post makes a lot of sense to me! So much of my clutter is made up of delayed decisions and actions... thank you for helping me see this!

I'll be blogging about it in the next few days :)

[Paul Digby]

PLease try this free sample and let me know what you think.