Reduce clutter, organize ideas with an inspiration folder

If you’re anything like me, you love getting shelter magazines and catalogs in the mail. Each one that arrives brings with it a fresh crop of decorating and home improvement ideas. The only problem is that all that glossy paper adds up to one (or two or three) HUGE piles that can quickly take over the available space on counter tops, tables and nightstands.

I found an easy solution that allows me to keep track of ideas I find without letting the piles get out of control.

Last year at Haven, I received an inspiration notebook courtesy of HGTV Home.

It is basically a three-ring binder with labels for each room – plus some extra labels such as “Outdoor Living,” “Accessories” and “Favorite Products.” I added some clear sleeves to my folder and now I use it to file pages that inspire me from the magazines and catalogs I receive. You could easily create your own inspiration folder.

After I mark and file what I like, I send the rest of the publication to the recycling center. My inspiration folder truly does help keep the “hoard” under control. The magazines and catalogs I have yet to read get stored in a basket in the living room. When the basket is full, it’s time to purge.

I use a similar filing system to organize my CDs and DVDs. It saves a ton of space.

For the deets on that, click here.

Do you have a method for storing and organizing your magazines and catalogs?