Have p-touch label maker and storage bins-will create order out of chaos.

After a full day-six workers, 4 ½ flatbed trailers and one large moving van, the house was cleared out. The basement looks incredible. Smooth Transitions of Louisville is amazing!

Next week the landscapers are coming so the view will be spectacular.

So lovely.

One of the things I like to do for my clients is set up stations around their homes for various tasks. Keeping all the items you need grouped together for a specific task gives you more control and ultimately saves you time.

A portable wrapping station can be a huge help. Gather scissors, tape, ribbon, paper, gift tags, package decoration, markers and anything else you’ll need for wrapping gifts and store them together in an under bed container. This will eliminate trips through your house in search of supplies.

My favorite station is an attractive basket by the front door on a table or chest. Ours is filled with the dog leash, poop bags, ipod, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and keys. This could also be a great drop for cell phones when not recharging. No more running around the house at the last minute looking for lost keys or misplaced cellphones before heading out the door.

Since the kitchen is where you tend to spend much of your time and where family seems to gather most, setting up a Life Management Center for things you often need within reach will streamline everyday tasks. Have a bulletin board to display important schedules and the family calendar. Don’t allow it to get too cluttered.

Equip a nearby drawer with the supplies for bill paying and letter writing. Stationary, stamps, letter opener, business envelopes, scissors, paper clips, post-its, tape, pens and pencils and stapler. I always keep extra staples and tape refills on hand. Avoid lost messages and missed phone calls by having pen and paper near the phone. Deal with mail daily and remember to always open it over the trash. Display bills in a prominent place.

Create a desk area in the bedroom should you need a quiet space for writing and homework. Some children prefer doing homework in the kitchen and thrive on the stimulation around them. They have no trouble concentrating while others crave the solitude and like to retreat to their rooms.

Use your imagination and these tips for creating stations that work well for you and your family. The key is to teach everyone in your family to return things to their specific spot and replenish when necessary for optimal function and results.