Yes I know, you are all familiar with this phrase. But it's totally true!!! When there is a "place for everything" than "everything" really can be in its place.

Think about ordinary items like silverware. If you need a fork you would likely look in the silverware drawer. Ah a drawer devoted to the silverware. I think you get the idea. Now what if there was a place where batteries, random toys, photographs, and tax papers belonged. Designated areas.

Here's my thinking. Perhaps you have children and you find yourself nagging them to clean up, but when they go to clean up they scoop everything into one bin or under the bed in a heap. Take a look at that pile of randomness and see if you can figure out where these items belong. Where is their "designated" place?

The point is that it is difficult to "clean up" or "put things away" when you can't quickly identify where they belong. 

There are thousands of items in our lives that all need a designated place to be put away to. To create these places first sort items by categories. This is a good time to be realistic about what to keep and what to donate, sell, or toss. Create designated areas for these items in locations that make sense. Office supplies should be near work spaces. Children's items in their rooms. Books on shelves. Items like batteries and electronic could be contained in bins and labeled. If you designate a drawer for something like cloth napkins or hair accessories and it's over flowing, then down size these items so that the "designated" area doesn't spill over to the counter or neighboring drawer.

Give it a try and see the difference in clean up time. Ps. The biggest challenge I can give you is to eliminate the "junk" drawer!!!