Maybe what you need to do is observe what gets dumped there and evaluate that area of the home. If it is becoming a dumping ground then it is probably in a traffic area, and I’m willing to bet it’s also near either the back or front door.

So all homes have traffic areas, and occasionally look lived in, so what?

Well yes, but when they become unmanageable, abused and unsightly, they can really drain your spirit visually, other negatives include:

  1. the area becomes very difficult to keep clean;
  2. items get buried, lost and/or damaged;
  3. the disorganization will eventually affect everyone’s emotions negatively;
  4. members of the household will start blaming each other for the loss and/or damaged things like keys, paperwork and small electronic devices etc.;
  5. arguments surface about late payments, overdue library books, missed messages and appointments;
  6. shoes and bags underfoot become accidents waiting to happen;
  7. the table, kitchen bench, sideboard or hall table suddenly loses it’s real purpose and it’s purpose gets transfered to another area, which then creates the domino effect and migration of things to the wrong places.

The list is endless and believe me there is a difference between – permanently cluttered (‘dysfunctional’) and occasionally cluttered (‘functional’). This is why the idea of having a Household Drop Zone, Command Centre or Household Message Centre is such a great idea.

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© 2012 Angela Miller-Davis. For more tips, ideas and links, visit the Less Equals More Blog and keep up to date by hitting the Like button to follow us on Facebook. Angela Miller-Davis is a Professional Organiser based on the Gold Coast, who helps people to find solutions for an organised lifestyle and is a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organisers).

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