Recently there have been announcements of exciting changes with Microsoft solutions, and SkyDrive is included among the many enhancements.  SkyDrive is a versatile option available for Windows, Mac, iPad, and mobile devices.  Whether you are creating, editing, or sharing documents you can use SkyDrive with web apps for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.  You’ll be able to use it at work to stay productive on-the-go or working collaboratively with your team.  SkyDrive also has the flexibility to manage your personal documents, family files, to-do list, and photos.  

Storing your files and documents in SkyDrive allows you to access them from any computer or mobile device.  It includes Office web apps so you can create documents.  And you can share any file you like with your colleagues, friends, or family.

Sidenote: If you live in the Seattle area, attend our in-person “Organized Executive” series at the Microsoft Store in the University Village to learn how to use OneNote within SkyDrive.

• Use the shelves located from hip to shoulder height to store the items you use the most frequently.  
• Store most-frequently used items close to the door in your pantry, rather than in the back, to save time.
• Keep items you only use once per year out of the prime real estate, either high or low.
• Keep heavier items on the lower shelves.
• Adjust the height of your shelves to best accommodate the size of the items on your shelves.  Don’t waste space!
• Be sure that you measure your space and find the right product for your space.  
• Consider using standard size and color containers to store cereal, snacks and pasta.  This will help maximize the amount of space you’re using in your cabinets.
• Use clear plastic or glass storage containers to store your food items in the pantry.  Clear allows you to easily see what’s inside.
• Mount a shallow shelving system to the backside of your pantry door to increase the amount of storage space in the pantry.
• Store pot lids on the back of the door with a towel rack.
• If you keep overstock of foods, like rice, potatoes or flour, ensure you are storing the bulk in airtight/watertight containers.  
• Label your shelves or containers to make sure your system stays consistent.
• Explain your new organized system to other members of the household, so everyone can help maintain your pantry.

Have any tips or tricks of your own?  Share them with us!  And check out our Kitchen and Pantry boards on Pinterest for organizing inspiration.

1. Categorize the room based on the functions of your space (all cleaning supplies should be together, all office supplies also together, etc.)
2. Use partitions to divide the purposes of the room, keep the room feeling stress-free.  For example, try adding shelving units or curtains.
3. Create clear labels on the outside of containers so that anyone can easily find what they are looking for, as well as restock items that are running low.
4. Utilize vertical space with back-of-door hooks on closets and cabinets.
5. Make a cleaning or restock schedule if necessary to keep the room looking nice. Usually reminder signs are noticed for about a week after being posted, so clear the clutter of unnecessary signs reminding people to do dishes.

What does your team do to keep a clean break room?

1. Shelves that are the easiest to reach should have the most-used items.  Items that are only used occasionally can be stored higher or lower.
2. You don’t have to put all of an item in the same place; overflow can be kept separately.  For example, if you buy supplies in bulk, only a few boxes of pens, pencils, notebooks, staples, etc. need to be in the prime real estate.  Anything more than that can be put in an area that’s farther away and then you can restock your supplies weekly from your surplus.
3. Put heavy items closer to the floor and lighter items closer to the ceiling.
4. Categorize supplies that are used together.  For example, if you have a marketing packet that gets mailed out, group all the components of the marketing packet together in the supply room so you can spend less time assembling the packet.
5. Label everything clearly so that everyone can find supplies easily.  It also makes it easier to restock items where they belong.
6. Use appropriately sized containers to maximize the space available.  One of our favorite products for office supplies are the Deflect-O series; they’re perfect for all types of supplies.

Small spaces can include:

• Cubicles
• Office supply rooms
• Break rooms (that frequently serve other purposes as well)
• Home offices or shared office spaces (guest room/office)
• Closets
• Mobile offices (like a car)
• Various living spaces

All June, we are going to tackle how to organize some of the typical small spaces that we help clients with.

To get you started, here are some general tips to keep in mind:

• Use vertical space whenever possible.
• Use the backs of doors or other odd shapes to maximize space available.
• Think in terms of “prime real estate.”  Make sure you use the space that is easiest to access on the items that you use the most.
• Set up clear zones for categories of items, especially Active, Reference, and Archive.
• Label shelves and drawers in your utility room so you have a place for items (and the family can locate items easily without asking).

Follow us this month for daily tips on our Facebook and Twitter, as well as weekly blog posts!  Plus, check out our Pinterest boards for inspiration on how to maximize your space!