OverDrive Inc. - The home edit: a guide to organizing and realizing your house goals (includes refrigerator labels)

Thank you to my husband, John, and my kids, Stella Blue and Sutton Gray. I know you thought this day would never come, Stella, but the book really IS done this time. And a huge thank-you to Jamie for holding my family and business together, to my parents for being my biggest supporters, to my mother, Roberta, for being my greatest influence, to my mother-in-law, Liz, for always being there, and to my brother, Dashiell, who is the real writer in the familyI love you all more than words could ever say.

Clea

To my grandfather A. Aaron Elkind, who always dreamed big and taught us all to do the same, to my grandmother Rosella who has unequivocally championed every single one of my businesses, to my parents Sari and Stuart, sister Alexis, aunt Marcy, in-laws Gail and Marvin, grandparents Rita and Erv, and last but definitely not least my husband Jeremy and children Miles and Marlowe for ENDLESSLY supporting this wild ride.

Joanna

We could not have ever (EVER) completed this book without the support and contributions from our INCREDIBLE team, agent Lindsay Edgecombe, editor Angelin Borsics, designer Mia Johnson, production manager Kim Tyner, production editor Abby Oladipo, compositor Alexandria Martinez, and managing editor Aislinn Belton. Lastly, a very special thanks to all of our fans, followers, and clients.

To access these refrigerator labels, visit http://rhlink.com/9780525572657amain and download and print the PDF from your computer. For printing, you will need 8- x 11-inch clear repositionable sticker project paper, such as Avery 4397.

ENTRY

Lets start with the entryway, which is a space that varies quite a bit from home to home. For some, it might mean a mudroom; for others, it might mean a coat closet by the front door. But what we all have in common is that every one of us enters our home through a door and needs a place where we can immediately put down our things. Even the smallest New York City apartment needs a hook on the wall or a tiny table for keys and mail.

Take stock of all the items that enter and exit your house on a daily basis. This might include backpacks, coats, hats, handbags, umbrellas, mail, keys, etc.but each household has varying categories. Then take a moment to think about where everything naturally lands when you walk in the door. For instance, do shoes pile up on the floor? Does mail end up on the kitchen counter? Once youve figured out everything you need to account for, design a solution that will fit your needs and your space.

TOP 5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR ENTRY LOOKING PICTURE PERFECT AT ALL TIMES

1. Live alone.

2. Make sure your kids use a separate entrance.

3. Dont own things.

4. Change your mailing address to your neighbors and pick up your mail once a week.

5. Start going places without shoes or jackets so theres nothing to take off when you walk in the door.

Orjust accept that it wont stay perfect ALL the time, but cleaning up counts as cardio.

THE MAKESHIFT ENTRY

Some entryways only have room for a table and not much else. The trick is to maximize the space in every way possible so that all your categories stay organized. Within just three square feet, we created an easy-to-maintain system for a family of four.

1. Decorative objects on the tabletop preempt any pileup of coats and handbags (these items belong hung on hooks or in a nearby closet)

2. A table with drawers designated for mail, keys, and sunglasses

3. A divided and labeled basket underneath the table holds backpacks (one per child) and hanging files

THE TRADITIONAL MUDROOM

A standard mudroom generally has three or four built-in stalls and includes hooks and cubbies, which is the equivalent of an organizational blank canvas. A mudroom can also be the equivalent of Grand Central Terminal, so its a good idea to designate a spot for each member of the family. It will hold everyone accountable for his or her own space!

1. Seasonal and infrequently used items placed in baskets on harder-to-access upper shelves

2. A hook for each family member

3. Knit hats and mittens for the winter and hats and sunscreen for the summer stored in lower lidded bins

4. Shoe baskets for each child (clearly labeled!)

MOLLY SIMSS MUDROOM