Help me purge. I am bordering on an episode of hoarders!

[ame]

Last year (literally a year ago) we had a plumber do some replacement of old pipes. To avoid disturbing the tile in the bathroom, we had him go thru the wall in the adjoining room. That room happens to be my landfill. That room is my office, supply closet for invites and projects, my dressing room in the morning and my library AND our guest room. Besides the piles of leftover supplies piled up in the office making it damn near impossible to navigate, I have piles and boxes in half my living room, dining room and hallway. I don't think I need most of it since I have not looked in a year but DH is livid that I'd just toss all of that in the trash or recycle bin. I don't think anyone would buy it or take for art classes. So I don't see much of another option. The magazines I already have mostly sorted to donate or recycle the ones not related to my craft or that are current.

I also dont know what to do with my portfolio. I may need it later but not anytime soon. I don't know what to do with that.

I have debated moving my desk out into the living room to free up space but that means any supplies are in the office room. And other people can see my stuff should anyone visit. But I can't move to the basement bec of water issues were still dealing with. And I have no other option besides taking one bookcase out. I wanted to mount a shelf on the wall above my assembly station and above my desk but we have OLD plaster so there is no way that will work. The whole wall crumbles, and it is a mess.

Can you tell I hate this house?

 

[VRBeauty]

Can you just box a bunch of it up and put it in the basement for now? Just elevate the boxes on a few bricks or something to keep them dry. Reclaim some useable space in your extra room - and use and maintain it - and it might help your hubby view the stored stuff differently when you tackle it later. At that point, the question will be - do I want to hang on to this thing (of questionable value) if it means giving up my useable space?

Is donating some of the art/craft supplies an option? I imagine schools or after school bosy/girls clubs would like that kind of donation!

ETA for hubby - the point is not what that it cost you to buy that stuff originally - because chances are there's not way to reclaim that money so it's lost to you anyway - but what it is costing you to hold on to it... which is, your ability to move freely through your house, pride in your house, your ability to use the space that stuff is taking up, the sense of calm that comes with some order, the ability to have people over, fire safety, etc...

(PS - if you're thinking I know just a bit too much about this topic, you're right - it's something I struggle with too)

 

[Jennifer W]

Ame, are you actually me??
A landfill room? Seriously? You really are me!

We have storage issues, living in an old house. It looks like the Victorians just plain didn't have as much stuff as us. Or if they did, they were ok with clutter.

What we've done recently is buy some built in wardrobes from Ikea, ones that don't look too bedroomy, and put them in our hallway. They are solid wood, so my plan is to paint them the same colour as the walls in there. It isn't ideal, but it's ok. I think it will look alright once it's all painted. It's holding the worst of my craft related clutter - sheep fleeces, a spinning wheel, more yarn than any person could ever knit, three knitting machines, the parts of my antique sewing machine collection not currently on display, the spare parts for said machines, the little tools you need for stuff like that, bolts of fabric, trimmings, thread, patterns and so on. I'm not saying the house is now tidy, but it's an awful lot better than it was this time last week. I have also tossed a lot of stuff or donated it, but just a little at a time, so it doesn't hurt / look too obvious I'm giving away things I previously couldn't live without.

Longer term, we need a couple more rooms, and since we don't want to move, we'll build on or up, but in the meantime, the closets are containing the worst of it. Oh, also under-bed storage boxes, and if you buy sofas with loose covers that come down to the floor, you can hurl all sorts of crap under them, too. Make the most of any tiny space - shelf it, put a trunk in it, put stuff in it.

Oh, and good luck!

eta my best friend manages a group of charity stores, and she tells me that people go nuts for art and craft supplies. If she ever gets donations of things like that, it sells really fast, so maybe you'd be surprised at what you can donate in that line.

 

[Octavia]

+1 to VRBeauty. Rubbermaid (or similar) bins on shelves or risers in the basement will help. And summer camps, after school programs, boys & girls clubs, etc are always looking for artsand crafts supplies where I am, so I'm sure if you called one in your area, they'd gladly help you get rid of some stuff. If there are some really good supplies there, post the best things for sale on Craigslist and donate the rest. Save the portfolio, though -- once you tame the rest of the clutter, you'll be able to find a space in a closet or corner to tuck it away until you need it. Regarding the rest, shelves, boxes, and bins are your friends. Personally, I love these: http://mobile.usablenet.com/mt/www....zedHomeSale?productId=10019531&N=78790&Nao=20. They're attractive, well-made, and come in several sizes (also other colors). I use them for lots of things. But first, it's a matter of narrowing down what you want to keep...I'm a packrat so I completely understand how hard that is! Moving cross-country was so painful for me because I had to get rid of a ton of stuff, but now I don't miss any of it. Point being, it can be done and you can do it!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Ame, I would say DON'T move your desk into another area because that is just like "expanding" the problem. I think you're more likely to deal with the stuff if it's more "in your face" and not easily ignored.

About the crafts stuff, etc., *what if* you got a bunch of those big plastic rubbermaid tubs and put the stuff in there you DO want to keep and store them in the basement. Then...it sound like you have enough stuff that if some of it *were* to be donated or (GASP!) thrown away, maybe your DH wouldn't even notice...? Let's be clear: I do not advocate deceiving one's spouse, but this seems rather harmless, and actually tipping toward the good on the good/bad scale.

The key, though, is once you do get things cleaned up a bit, not to let it grow back to its former state (or worse!).

 

[iheartscience]

Have your husband watch a few episodes of Hoarders and point out to him the similarities between him and the hoarders on TV. It makes NO SENSE for him to be "livid" about you wanting to donate crap you never use.

I got rid of at least 15 boxes of clothes last year (probably more) before I moved into a tiny row home, and it felt SO GOOD. Seriously, having too much crap around is stressful. I didn't realize how stressful until I got rid of it.

And ditto DeeJay-DO NOT move your desk. That's the opposite of what you should do!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Just reading your post made me stressed out. Piles of boxes and papers in rooms and hallways? Just extra places for crawly things to hide out....not to mention a firehazard at the very least!

Seriously, you gotta ask yourself, What is the "worst thing" that would happen if you threw things out?

Good luck.

cheers--Sharon

 

[ame]

Yea I don't even want to go through these boxes for fear of what might be living in them....EVERYTHING down in the basement is DH's so I have no need to touch that stuff.

As for putting my stuff down there, it's too wet even with plastic containers, too much water, humidity, etc. So that's been ruled out. That and frankly, anything of mine that goes down there, will never be touched by me ever again. It's bad enough trying to do laundry down there. I hate it.

I really want to just get rid of one of the book cases in that office room, and actually use it kind of as a nightstand for the magazines I don't use for wedding stuff. And after paring down supplies I SHOULD be able to. But DH is kind of anti-new-bookcase, which I wanted to get one with squares and do crates in there to separate stuff.

I have no idea what to do. The way this room is set up makes it a pain in the ass to really set it up how I would like.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I really want to just get rid of one of the book cases in that office room, and actually use it kind of as a nightstand for the magazines I don't use for wedding stuff. And after paring down supplies I SHOULD be able to. But DH is kind of anti-new-bookcase, which I wanted to get one with squares and do crates in there to separate stuff.

Can you get squares/crates and put them in the existing book case in an effort to (a) keep DH happy by not getting a new book case and (b) still organize?

 

[ame]

Yea I am thinking about doing that. I wish our walls weren't total crap, bec I want to mount things.

I need to measure the shelves...I know one is ridiculously spread out shelves, and they're not rearrangeable.

 

[webdiva]

Yea I am thinking about doing that. I wish our walls weren't total crap, bec I want to mount things.

I need to measure the shelves...I know one is ridiculously spread out shelves, and they're not rearrangeable.

Ame! Where do you live? Check this out - freestanding Elfa! I'm a total Elfa whore, we have three in the house and one waiting to go up in the garage. They're LIFESAVERS!

This one is freestanding so you get all the benefits - you can make the lowest shelf a desk!
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/bestSellingSolutions/living?productId=10021256&N=77774

 

[ame]

WHOA. I cannot afford $1800 for this but that's perfect. I have a container store nearby but that pricepoint is pushing it. DH would maim me! lol

But that's excellent bec I could put it around my workstations and load them up...Dang. I wish they were like...100 vs 1800!

 

[webdiva]

WHOA. I cannot afford $1800 for this but that's perfect. I have a container store nearby but that pricepoint is pushing it. DH would maim me! lol

But that's excellent bec I could put it around my workstations and load them up...Dang. I wish they were like...100 vs 1800!

Here's a cheaper version on the same site - you can mix and match to get the price down. They go on sale 2 times a year, that's when I buy mine. The regular are much less - I guess it's the freestanding part that makes it more expensive!
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/bestSellingSolutions/officeSpaces?productId=10023260&N=77773

If you remove the drawers from the above one, it should come in around $600. Unfortunately, I don't think you could even build a shelving unit from scratch for $100 (and trust me...I've researched it since we've totally renovated our entire home, mainly DIY!)

Ikea and Home Depot have a cheapie version of this shelving but I don't think freestanding. With this shelving, you definitely get what you pay for the quality is so awesome and we've already moved with it once.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Whatever you do KEEP your portfolio! I am keeping my huge BFA portfolio and smaller professional one because I am proud of the work I once did even though I have NO intention of ever re-entering the field. I feel like it is a very small part of me. Something I would never want to throw away.

 

[swingirl]

If you have unwanted art or craft supplies maybe you could donate them to a senior center or senior living community where they might offer craft classes.

 

[ame]

Whatever you do KEEP your portfolio! I am keeping my huge BFA portfolio and smaller professional one because I am proud of the work I once did even though I have NO intention of ever re-entering the field. I feel like it is a very small part of me. Something I would never want to throw away.

That's what my parents and a few of my design friends said. It's good to have just because. The sad fact is that it is LUDICROUSLY huge at this point, with all that I did at the last agency. And that's just the good stuff!

I did find a place called Upcycle Exchange which supposedly takes supplies and then you can get "credit" towards other stuff they get. So Ill see how that works. I want to learn how to sew, and my last few years birthday gifts we never actually bought because of space or time. I wanted a sewing machine, I wanted (ironically) a professional organizer to spend some time here helping me...

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Ame, can you stick it under a bed? You have worked in the field much longer than I did but I would still keep it or at least your favorite pieces. I have mine in my guest room closet.

 

[lyra]

Can you do a bookcase exchange? Find what you want exactly and look for it on Craigslist or similar. Sell your current one, buy the one that works better. Lower price and you're not adding, you're maintaining but bettering what you have. By all means purge. It's very freeing. Donate or sell what you aren't going to use. Your DH will like the new improved functioning workspace, even if he can't quite envision it right now.

 

[ame]

Ame, can you stick it under a bed? You have worked in the field much longer than I did but I would still keep it or at least your favorite pieces. I have mine in my guest room closet.

It is mostly under there right now. I have two of those rubbermaid underbed things full, plus another container worth out.

I have spent most of this morning so far going through boxes. I have a ridiculous amount still to go through, and that's just the living room stuff so far. I still have to get to the supplies from my office, then also do the supplies elsewhere. Eep.

 

[ame]

So far I have two big boxes of envelopes (I have some set aside for future use), a huge box of old pocketfolds and cardstock shapes, a huge box of 8 1/2x11 cardstock....and two boxes of ribbon spools galore. If I had the patience or wherewithall to sell this stuff....wow.

 

[decodelighted]

Maybe you can barter craft supplies for an Elfa (or like) unit. There's a BARTER section of craigslist for this type of thing. Or hold a "craft supply yard sale" to make $ toward organizational supplies.

I do want to mention that every episode of Hoarders I see -- I am reminded that those folks have spent TONS OF $$ on unused plastic bins and bookshelves etc. So make sure you're actually going to commit to USING anything you purchase or barter for. Rather than just giving up & throwing the empty new things on top of the pile of clutter.

 

[ame]

I have sorted a vast majority of the stuff so far. I may see if anyone bites in craigslist stuff but maybe as for sale lots of stuff.

The Upcycle thing apparently gives you trade towards other supplies (fabric and sewing stuff, etc). I don't REALLY want credit I won't use. I might poke on CL for similar to see if anyone is interested for like $50 or something for a mixed lot of stuff

 

[ame]

Ok so the more I look at this selection of stuff, the more I feel like I should try to list a few as "lots" on craigslist. Its THOUSANDS of dollars worth of stuff, some of it you can still buy for a LOT of money. But I was thinking of making like 4 "lot" boxes, of mixed stuff, and saying $75 or $100 for the whole box, value of each box being like $500 or something. I figured some teacher might like it, or random scrapbooker. But I feel like no one will buy them, so I dunno if it's worth the time.

 

[VRBeauty]

That sounds like a great idea, AME! Definitely worth a try!

 

[ame]

I guess I can see what I have lots of specifically and set those into four separate containers. Like say a huge pack of lime green card stock, Ill divvy up between four boxes. I just don't want to have to UNDO lots afterwards.

 

[Enerchi]

Ok so the more I look at this selection of stuff, the more I feel like I should try to list a few as "lots" on craigslist. Its THOUSANDS of dollars worth of stuff, some of it you can still buy for a LOT of money. But I was thinking of making like 4 "lot" boxes, of mixed stuff, and saying $75 or $100 for the whole box, value of each box being like $500 or something. I figured some teacher might like it, or random scrapbooker. But I feel like no one will buy them, so I dunno if it's worth the time.

I think that sounds like a great idea, ame!! you never know when you post on craigslist or kijiji or whatever resource is available to you, just what others find valuable. Scrapbookers may go nuts for your treasures!

Just the fact you are already making some changes and you are starting to sort and discard/donate/sell items, you are well on your way to a successful decluttering!! I wish the people I worked with, were as motivated as you are! Keep it up!!!

 

[ame]

I still have a little leftover to deal with but I did just list a lot on CL, I listed it as one listing of "Lot of Cardstock" or something to that effect, and wrote asking $125 per box (three available) and put a photo of all of it just sorted as to what is what in each box (i.e. ribbon in one, cardstock in one, envelopes in one) and just said it would be a selection from each box.

 

[distracts]

Yeah... I have this problem too. In previous living spaces, even when they were TINY, I have managed to keep order, but living with my fiance is sheer madness. He won't ever agree to put storage thingies in because he can't imagine them in the space, and he won't ever make the time to clear stuff out. He JUST this week told me it was okay if I cleared his stuff out of the guest room (that is filled with boxes and boxes of stuff) and got rid of it or whatever. I also need bookshelves (we have piles of stacked-up books, and books hiding in odd places, and books triple-stacked on the bookshelves we do have to the point where shelves are breaking), which I can't buy because he can't agree that the ONLY ACCEPTABLE WALL TO PUT THEM ON is actually acceptable. He wants to put them in the guest room. But we can't because the guest room is full of stuff. And even once it's cleared out, it would be folly to put them in there because we are going to start trying for a baby in a year and a half and that room will be the nursery, and there will be a crib and wardrobe that will need to go in there, at minimum, and that will be practically all the space that room has, so then we would have to move the bookshelves, which is just kind of prolonging the problem. Did I mention that we have a blank wall in the living room that would be perfect for shelves? But that he objects to it on account of he "can't visualize it." Oh, and we can't use any of the guest room's THREE GINORMOUS CLOSETS because he has all his clothes in them. There are only three other closets in the house, all much smaller, which have my clothes, the bathroom stuff, and a ton of my office stuff (the closet in my office). We don't even have anywhere to put the sheets that aren't on our bed except on the floor in the guest room. And he has like seven suitcases. Who has that many suitcases? No one needs that many suitcases. Especially when they don't have closet space. IT IS MADNESS. I mean, I lived in a tiny dorm room for years, and then in one room of my parents' house, and I always had a ton of stuff, but now that I have A WHOLE HOUSE, I cannot even fit all my stuff (the vast majority of my belongings - everything except clothes and office stuff and bunny stuff - are still at my parents' house) in it because there's too much other junk and no organizational method.

This isn't helpful. This is just a rant. But like my mom says, the reason it's so messy is because the things don't have proper places, and you need to either make places for the things and put them there, or get rid of the things.

On a more positive note, I will say that a few months ago we totally cleaned out the garage, and got rid of the tons of old, broken furniture that he was keeping in there, so we could put in a garage refrigerator, set up a jewelry-making workstation for me, and have space for the motorcycle he bought a while later. Which is great progress. And last Christmas we got an awesome Crate & Barrel buffet/storage unit that went in the dining room, in which we keep our china (previously kept on the kitchen counter), wine (previously stored... on the floor of the guest room), mail (previously left on the dining room table), and random other junk (previously left anywhere and everywhere). So it is actually a lot more under control than it was. I guess I just need to keep reminding myself that we are making progress on the clutter and I still can't snap my fingers and magically have years of detritus organized and the house the way I want. And it really HAS been a lot of change for my fiance, as my mother always points out. She says I need to be more patient with letting him adjust to the changes of his living environment.

 

[rainydaze]

Ame, you're off to a good start! I just wanted to suggest that you put key words in your ad (I've seen people actually put Keywords: xxx right at the end of their ad) to reach as many people looking for this kind of thing as possible. Use words like craft, crafts, scrapbook, paper, ribbon, graphic design, envelopes, stationery, art supplies, etc. - anything that remotely rings of what you are selling. And don't worry about unpacking your lots, just donate them as-is if they don't sell.

I used to be a graphic designer and I would have been all over something like this as a student! Maybe a bride on a budget would appreciate these materials? You could use words to that effect too - budget wedding, cheap wedding supplies, etc.

Good luck! I think your DH will see the light (of you getting rid of it, by whatever means you end up with) once the space is freed up in your house!!

 

[ame]

Great idea. I think the cover stock for a design student would be fantastic. At least the white/ivory.

I am giving til Wed to sell, if not Im taking a box to a preschool, maybe an elementary school that told me no, and then some to that upcylcewhatever.