The Gallery

5 steps to organization

imited space creates challenges for comfortable living and efficiency affects the quality of daily life. So how, with limited space or resources, can we maximize what we have? 5S is a practical methodology that businesses use to minimize waste and maximize capability and consistency. Developed by Toyota and integral to their success, it has been adopted worldwide.

A five step process, 5S creates impressive improvements. As one instructor quipped “It works for business, but I use 5S in my personal life.” Indeed, its benefits have extended into my daily life too, most recently in the reorganization of my home.

The 5S steps are; sort, set, shine, standardize and sustain. Before we look at how 5S can create a revitalized living space, I’ll offer some personal advice. When envisioning your space, dream big. Account for things like what your perfect morning routine would look like and how you would ideally spend evenings. If you cook, or don’t, what kitchen arrangement is best? By addressing your desired lifestyle and routines along with material considerations like storage and furniture, you can create an environment that has a positive impact from morning to night. SORT: Many people have become familiar with Marie Kondo and her method for decluttering. This is similar to step one. Get rid of what you don’t use and sort what remains into logical categories like used daily, seasonally, in the morning or evening etc. Be honest with yourself about what is used and needed. SET: Let’s organize! Point of use storage, or POUS, allows access to everything needed for specific tasks without wasted space or time. Seemingly inconsequential, seconds add up and are especially noticed when time is short, like rushed mornings. Hanging pot racks above the sink or stove reduces accessing cabinets. Beds with integrated storage eliminate walking from a closet across the bedroom. This is an area where creativity makes a difference.

Another element is layout. Use graph paper to map a space to scale and then cut out furniture footprints using the same paper to plan a layout without unnecessarily moving things. In small spaces, inches make a difference. Setting items off-angle can create walking space and furniture built to fit in corners, like desks, go a long way. SHINE: Cleanup time! I integrate this into the first two steps, but it can be done

Lseparately. In addition to creating a fresh feel for your new space, continue organizing to make regular cleaning more efficient. For example, I keep an additional broom in my bathroom to easily sweep after cleaning my cat’s litter box and I now sweep this whole room as often as I clean the litter. STANDARDIZE: Organizing alone won’t perpetuate itself, so daily action is also needed. Checklists and schedules, in addition to new habits, help internalize changes. As I read and journal with my morning coffee, I habituated returning those items to their POUS rather than leaving them on the table. SUSTAIN: Discipline is key to keeping up with organization. As with anything, long-term success requires continual follow through. In the classes I took, we were cautioned that this can be the hardest step of 5S, but once the benefits are continually felt it becomes like second nature. Using 5S in a 535 square foot space, I created my own place for movies and reading, an exercise area, home office with drafting table, breakfast bar, pool table, feline feeding and play zone, a sewing table and all the requisite storage. Try it out for yourself and see what practical magic you can create! n

By Garett Dickinson