The kitchen is where we go to 'nourish' our bodies and families and is often a space that is bulging with things. So many different mugs, and pots, and bowls... we have more dishes, more utensils then we have space to house. We think we need all these lovely things but actually, what we really need is to sort through all our things, keep what we really use, give away what we don't and organise ourselves into work zones.

Basically, you need to access what you do in the kitchen...

If you have decided to tidy up your space, resign yourself to the fact that you will have to turf many things out.

You may feel as if you're wasting so much money but if you focus on what you're trying to achieve AND organise a garage sale, you'll be able to recoup some money. So decide on a date, set the target, advertise in the local press and get it done. You'll feel enormously relieved you did.

Here are a few helpful tricks to use when organising your time (sourced from the POAA flyer).

• Keep filing systems simple with only four or five main categories that make sense to you.
• Do 'it' NOW. Don't procrastinate.
• Change whatever doesn't work for you.
• Use only one diary or calendar to record all your appointments - private or professional.

I have taken to making lists as a result of my constant 'porridge brain' (you know that syndrome that makes an appearance when you're pregnant and doesn't leave?).

There is the priority to-do list in my diary, the work-around-the-house list on the white board, and the shopping list in the kitchen. I try to place these strategically on the way to the car or the office so that I see them and therefore remember to do what is on them.

I know writing lists doesn't work for ever...

Whether you have one garage or two, it needs to be organised otherwise it risks becoming the dumping ground for all manner of household items.  So, if your garage isn't working for you, resulting in you parking one of your largest assets outside, then you need to make a plan!

Start, as usual, by taking everything out so you can see what you have and what you don't need. It is a process, but the best tip, once you have sorted through everything, is to group your items by cate...

The golden rule of organising your cupboard is "if you haven't worn it in a year - toss it". SO, first things first - you have to toss all those clothes that are collecting dust. BUT in the event that you really aren't sure if you should toss an item of clothing, then 'flag' the hanger. During the next 6 weeks, if you wear a 'flagged' item, it is in the clear but after the 6 weeks, toss what is still 'flagged'.

I have finally labeled my linen shelves so that I can find what I am looking for but I recently saw a television programme where the presenter stored her sheets by folding the fitted and flat sheet and one pillowcase into a neat square and then placed this into the remaining pillowcase.

This makes it easy to recognise the set and everything is all together when you need it.

It stands to reason that items of clothing you use often, need to be accessible. So store these at eye level or below whilst keeping items you seldom use, higher up. If you don't have a lot of space in your cupboard, then store seasonal clothing like large jerseys or conversely, your swimming gear, in clear and labeled boxes. That way you have more shelf space for the items you need this season.

To save yourself lots of backache, store heavy appliances (liquidizes, mixers, food processors) on a sturdy tray in your cupboard. That way, when you need to use it, you can slide the tray out and get what you need out with minimal strain on your back.

I have often read the recommendation of professional organisers to use a timer when tidying up. Although I understood the philosophy behind the suggestion, I wanted to put it to the test so I used it with my kids this week-end.

I told them before I even began, that I wanted to set the timer to ONLY 5 minutes to tidy up their desk and throw away used paper and 'stuff' lying around collecting dust.

So we duly set the timer and off we went with the tic-tic-tic in the backgro...