Have an Organized “Launch Pad”

At the end of a long day you come home, throw your bag down, kick off your shoes, and slump on the couch… sound familiar? Then the next morning you wake up and are trying to get the kids ready for school. Your purse is on the floor. Your lunch kit lies on the floor untouched from the previous night. Your child is trying to find their other shoe. 

What if I told you that you didn’t have to live this way? What if there was an easy solution that you could use to organize your everyday items. Let me introduce you to a launchpad.

A launch pad is a place where you enter and exit your home. It is a place where all your items that go back and forth to various activities live. It is important that this area is organized so that you can get out of the house quickly in the morning. When designing your launchpad think about where people will place the following:

- bags

- shoes

- coats

- backpacks

- keys

Remember that it needs to be easy for people to use. A shoe rack and hooks are key items to have in this area. I recommend designating 1-2 hooks for each person and labeling them with their name. Each person’s hook(s) hold their coats and bags. It is useful to have an extra hook for all car keys to ensure that they do not get lost. You can also have other special hooks depending on the needs of your household. For example, in our house we even have a special hook for the dog leash so it is always by the door ready to go. 

Make sure you establish rules about the launchpad. Each person should have 1-2 pairs of shoes, 1 bag and 1 coat in the launch pad area. Any extra items need to be stored in a separate area. Your launchpad may also be where guests enter your home so ensure you have extra hooks for their coats. 

Having a launchpad ensures a smooth transition into and out of your home. You will be more organized and less overwhelmed each day. 

Melanie McConnell is a Professional Organizer and the owner of Mello Spaces. A former elementary school teacher and a mom of 2 under 3 she helps families get organized. Check out her website www.mellospaces.com and follow her on Instagram: @mellospaces

Florena Davies is a Professional Organizer and Owner of Organize by Flo. She helps individuals and families of all kinds achieve their organizational goals and create spaces that reflect their unique needs and lifestyles. Check out her website at https://www.organizebyflo.com/ and on instagram @organizebyflo.