Okay we made it through an entire year of round-ups. Woohoo! This is it. Time to get our living rooms organized and ready to begin the new year with a fresh start.
Have you put away all your Christmas decorations to take your living room from cluttered and chaotic to clear and calm? Have you organized the living room toys or DVDs using some nifty storage solutions? Have you rearranged the room to give it a new and inviting look? Whatever you’ve done, whether you’ve made a big change or a little change, it’s all good. If something is working a little bit easier for you with some changes you were able to incorporate then let us celebrate that with you. Please link up below to a post on your site that shows us both your before and after pictures and remember to use the direct link to your round-up post and not to your homepage. That’s helpful for those of us who might not get a chance to take a peek at your post until later. Also, as a courtesy, if you are going to participate please be kind and link back to this post within your post.
The lucky winner will be selected randomly from the Mr. Linky lists from this month and last. So if you participate in both months you will be entered TWICE! The winner receives a coveted spot in Professional Organizer, Aby Garvey’s popular Organizing 101: Learn How to Get Organized online workshop beginning January 13th!
Please link up to your before and after living room picture post by Sunday, Jan 3rd at 11:59 pm PST. You still have time, it’s not too late. You can do it!
Now as for next year well I simply can’t tell you that yet unfortunately. I just can’t decide what it is exactly I want to do. I’m still trying to work it all out in my mind and haven’t fully committed to the idea of even doing it again. I often felt like I couldn’t devote the time to it that you deserved and I do hate the feeling of letting someone down. I definitely want to hear what you think though. Tell me your ideas and what you think would be helpful. I’m not making any promises just yet but your opinions are important to me.
Happy New Year everyone!!! Here’s to an organizing good time in 2009!!!
The Happy Housewife says
I would love for you to do it again because I didn’t find out about it until half-way through the year! I am planning on organizing my home room by room next year and you are always a great source of ideas and inspiration!
Toni
Pip says
Wow..perfect timing, i started tackling my living room this morning! Off to get photos!
Debbie says
I like doing this, even if I don’t participate, I love reading everyone else’s ideas. Small ideas and small things help me run smoother through the year. So even if you didn’t do a big overhaul…small ones help too.
Love your blog!
Blessings
Debbie
Krisi says
I thought it was a great idea. This was the first month I participated with actually taking pictures but I thought it was good to tackle a room (or drawer etc.) at a time.
Thanks for hosting it!
Creative Triplet Mom says
I would love for you to do it again. I did get to tackle a few rooms but still need to do more. It was very motivating to be told what room to do each month and to focus on that one room. I know if I did it myself it probably wouldn’t have gotten it done. Also loved your posts each month especially the videos about organizing tips. But if you have a better idea anything is greatly appreciated. Happy New Year. I’m off to redo my filing system to monthly!
Tami says
WAIT! I didn’t know about you last year! My house needs to be organized too. Please, please do it again!
Lizzie says
We rearranged our living room this month!
Forgetfulone says
I sure hope you decide to do some kind of challenge, even if it’s every other month instead of every. I’m sure it’s time-consuming. But you ARE a professional! And if anyone can come up with something, you can! And I look forward to it.
The living room is almost back to normal here. The one thing we haven’t done is select new wall art because we can never agree on anything!
Jill Scott says
I didn’t start blogging until mid-year, so my house isn’t organized yet. I do so want to continue, but I can understand if you can’t commit to hosting it. I’ll do it for you, if you want. I would love to host it. 🙂
Lady Ozma says
Good luck to those of you who don’t wait for 12th night to come before reclaiming your living room!
I’m so going to swipe all your ideas for my living room! I barely had time to unpack my house and get things sort of semi done before having to set up for Christmas. I look forward to figuring out what to do in my living room mid January! 🙂 I have a new house to organize!
Catharine says
I love these monthly round-ups….it gets me motivated….with the exception of this month…bending over to pick-up and organize when your 9 months pregnant and due to “pop” any day is just too hard for me…so the livingroom has been put on hold until after this lil one decides to come out….hopefully today or tomorrow =) but even if its every other month or once every 3 months do something…my house is still a crazy unorganized mess…I need motivation and ideas.
Vicki says
The best living room organizational tool I use is a entertainment center.
The cabinets hold games /coloring books on one side, the other houses the electronics (dvd, cable box etc)
My boys have got quite a collection of movies and no way do we have room for all of them IF they were in their original boxes, so they go in alphabetical order in a dvd album and that is kept in a drawer that’s in the entertainment center. Across the room I have a ceramic box just the right size to hold 3 remotes upright, so nothing else can be stashed in there.
LisaC says
I think the monthly round-ups and closet organizing tips are great! Like an outside motivator. 🙂 And surely after a year everyone does need to do it again.
Lacy says
I soooooooo want you to do themes in stead of rooms this year! Here is the list of theme ideas I came up with: Refrigerators, cars, pantry, cabinets, closet, shelves, toys, organize with containers, papers, under the bed, and laundry. If anyone thinks of any more theme ideas, post them! Lets lobby Laura on this you guys! You know we all have resolutions to be more organized, lets get going! 🙂
Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama says
I didn’t participate every month, but that’s the beauty of this challenge. You can pop in and out when you want to! I’m all for doing it again next year, or something similar. It’s all about accountability!
jacque says
I could not do without this website! As a feng shui devotee, this site helps me stay in focus! I have deChristmased my house and have made my calendar and every day To Do Lists and I am so ready for 09. I work from home so I have a home office (in half of my living room) and a sewing studio (in my second bedroom) so I must keep organized or it is clutter beyond belief. Thanks for all the help last year and here is to a simple, uncluttered, organized and prosperous 09!
Masked Mommy says
I left my link! Now you officially know how much some of us REALLY need your help 🙂
Jennifer says
I also did not participate last year, but enjoyed “lurking” and seeing others’ successes. I would appreciate another year of room-by-room, but also liked the idea of organizing by “themes” since that seems to lend itself to smaller projects (for those of us who don’t have time to do a whole room). It might also generate a larger quantity of ideas about each theme spot than if each of us is left to do a whole room then share the total results.
Whatever you decide, keep up the good work! I really love this site! 🙂
Yestheyareallmine says
I would love for you to do it again. I had a great time participating and my house and family benefited so much from it!
Sarah says
I am hoping on the organizing wagon! And I need some help!
melanie says
Hi! Thanks for inspiring me to post about my living room! I have seen your challenges but never contributed!
Mrs. H. says
I would love to see more challenges!!! I love a good challenge. The “theme” idea mentioned early would be fun. Thanks! 🙂
Nancy Schiedermayer says
My favorite thanksgiving menu item has to be my mother in laws sausage stuffing recipe