{"id":5431,"date":"2017-07-13T17:55:35","date_gmt":"2017-07-14T00:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/restoringorder.com\/?p=5431"},"modified":"2020-03-24T07:35:03","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T14:35:03","slug":"transforming-cluttered-outdoor-space-backyard-respite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restoringorder.com\/transforming-cluttered-outdoor-space-backyard-respite\/","title":{"rendered":"4 C’s for Transforming A Cluttered Outdoor Space into a Backyard Respite"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Transforming-A-Cluttered-Outdoor-Space-into-A-Back-Yard-Respite\"<\/p>\n

Has your backyard patio or deck become a dumping ground, staging area, or storage space?<\/strong> We find that people avoid the process of organizing because it is overwhelming and they don\u2019t know where to start.<\/p>\n

This can be true for our cluttered outdoor spaces, too. They afford the real estate for us to \u201cspread things out\u201d and all too soon they can become cluttered. Over time, these spaces accumulate displaced or overflow items. Our delayed decisions unintentionally create \u201cstaging\u201d or \u201cdumping\u201d areas.<\/p>\n

We recently helped our client, Juanita, transform her cluttered outdoor space into a backyard respite. Over the past few years, her deck had become an overflow space. With the garage and shed full, items started accumulating on the deck and even the grass.<\/p>\n

Unused bins, pots-to-be-planted, items under consideration to be donated, and even paperwork to-be-sorted landed on her deck. Eventually, she had her husband erect a tarp over one half of the deck just to cover her staging area.<\/p>\n

\"Transforming<\/p>\n

Creeping, backlogged clutter happens to the best of us, and Juanita found herself unable to enjoy her back yard because clutter covered her living space.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s indoor or outdoor clutter; if you can relate to Juanita\u2019s situation, here are 4 \u201cCs\u201d that will help you reclaim your space<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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  1. Categorize \u2013 Get Everything Out<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The first step is to get everything out of the space! Establish a large sorting area to pull all the items out.<\/p>\n

    Our professional organizer started by helping Juanita pull all the items out of the deck area and sort them by category. Categorizing first makes the decision-making process easier as you can clearly see how much you have of a particular category.<\/p>\n

    Next, they purposed<\/em><\/strong> the deck space \u2013 creating a potting station and a sitting area on one half of the deck. The other half of the deck became a dining area with several seating groupings for small or larger gatherings.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Assigning a purpose to different areas of the deck informed the decision of what items would go in that space. In fact, a common organizing pitfall is failing to assign a purpose to a space!<\/strong> Without a designated purpose, spaces become catch-alls and overflow areas. Once a space is given a purpose, clarity arises about what should live in that space.<\/p>\n

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    On Juanita\u2019s deck, the items that didn\u2019t fit within the designated purpose were either rehomed or purged.<\/p>\n

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    1. Cull \u2013 Thin<\/em> Out Your Possessions<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      After deciding what purpose the deck would serve, they had a lot of culling to do to deal with the volume of stuff left over. It was time to make decisions about all the items that were stashed on the deck to deal with \u201clater\u201d. They donated, gave away, and recycled until Juanita\u2019s items would fit in her space.<\/p>\n

      \"Transforming<\/p>\n

      There are so many services out there to help you get stuff \u2013 even cumbersome items \u2013 out of your home and space. Once you know what you\u2019re getting rid of, get on the phone and find resources! Don\u2019t let that pile stick around and clutter your space.<\/p>\n

      For some service provider recommendations, visit our Life Simplifying Services<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

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      1. Clean – For a Fresh Start <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        When you have determined what to keep, take the time to clean items before returning them to the space. Clean out old bins if you can, rather than buying new bins \u2013 less plastic acquisition is a good thing! Clean or dust the furniture. Even power wash or re-stain the deck or patio if needed!<\/p>\n

        After investing the time in organizing the space, cleaning gives a fresh start! \u00a0You are more likely to use (and show off) the space when items are clean!<\/p>\n

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        1. Create – the Space You\u2019ve Always Wanted<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          We invite you to do more than \u201corganize\u201d your space \u2013 make it serve YOU!<\/p>\n

          Get creative and dream a little about how you want to use the space. Think outside the box (and possibly the floor plan!) to create a space that is unique to you.<\/p>\n

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          On Juanita\u2019s deck, we created a beautiful, shaded potting station for her. We had noticed that some of the clutter was from potting projects and determined that Juanita would benefit from, and enjoy, a place to do her potting. She even added speakers so she can enjoy her favorite music while doing one of her favorite pastimes.<\/p>\n

          We created a sitting area where Juanita and her family can actually enjoy their outdoor space.<\/p>\n

          \"<\/p>\n

          Since Juanita had several sets of furniture, we created small groupings of chairs and tables – some high, some low \u2013 where Juanita can sit in the sun or shade as she chooses. She can also group multiple tables together for hosting larger groups.<\/p>\n

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          Juanita is thrilled with her deck overhaul and said that getting rid of all that excess that she didn\u2019t need has given her freedom to enjoy the important things. She and her family can now spend the summer enjoying their backyard respite.<\/p>\n

          \"<\/p>\n

          Like Juanita, you can apply these 4 \u201cC\u2019s\u201d to transformed your cluttered areas into enjoyable living spaces!<\/p>\n

          Watch our segment<\/a> aired on More Good Day Oregon<\/a>:<\/p>\n