Patty Burnstein and Regina Leeds reorganize a closet in Burnstein's Los Angeles, Calif., home.

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The Zen of Organizing

Specials > episode FLZEN-SP01

Join Regina Leeds, author of The Zen of Organizing, as she reorganizes and revitalizes two very different households. First she comes up with creative kitchen and office solutions for the young Wilcox family. Then she tackles the spacious hillside home of Patty Burnstein, whose closets and garage are causing serious headaches. Leeds transforms these homes from chaos to calm, using tactics anyone can adapt to their own space and situation.

Getting Started

1. Record your long-term organizing goals in a journal.
   
2. Jot down time spent struggling to find things. Add up the time at the end of the week.
   
   • 15 minutes per day equals 4 lost days per year
     
   • 1 hour per day equals 15 lost days per year

Simple Steps to Take

1. Make your bed every morning. Invest in some new linens to spark your organizing enthusiasm.
   
2. Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink.
   
3. Put your keys in the same place every night when you come home.

The Magic Formula

• Eliminate - Commit yourself to getting rid of the things you don't need.
  
• Categorize - Involve someone you really trust in your reorganization.
  
• Organize - Invest in some reorganizational products (below).

Resources

The Container Store

• Carry-all, $9 each
  
• Shelf liner, $3 per small roll
  
• Shelf creator, $10
  
• Wire shelf, $8
  
• Linens shelf, $10
  
• Mobile shelving, $110
  
• Air tight container, $8
  
• Clear shoebox, $2
  
• 10 hangers, $3
  
• Shelf divider, $3
  
• Drawer containers, 2/$7
  
• Hat box, $20
  
• Step stool (small, two-step), $40
  
• Storage bin (small, metal), $20
  
• Large bin (clear plastic), $19

800-786-7315
www.containerstore.com

Closets by Design
800-293-3744
www.closetsbydesign.com
Custom cabinets installed in office

The Zen of Organizing: Creating Order and Peace in Your Home, Career and Life
By Regina Leeds
www.amazon.com
www.reginaleeds.com