With a new year, a new century and a new millennium, I decided it was time to clean out the old, get organized and open up space for the new to come into my life. I took a few minutes off from organizing to put my ideas into an article.

Benefits of Color-Coding

   Color-coding is one of my favorite ways to organize. Each person in the family chooses a different color for his or her belongings, such as drinking cups, toothbrushes, towels and washcloths. Color-coding prevents confusion and keeps items organized and ready to use. At a glance, you will know who did not put a towel or toothbrush away.

Color-Coding Strategies for the Home

Color-code bed linens by size. Purchase all single-bedsheets, blankets and matching pillowcases in shades and prints of the same color. Choose a different color for all double-bed sheets and another color for queen- or king-size linens. Fold sets together. Color-coding by size allows family members to find bed linens almost instantly.

To avoid confusion when two family members share a closet, make hanger tops with strips of colored tape. Or you can buy plastic hangers in different colors. Even young children can locate their clothing quickly this way.

To help simplify washing, try this system: Purchase one laundry basket for each individual, all in different colors. As you fold, iron or pick up articles, place them in the correct laundry basket. It is easier for each person to put away clean laundry.

Another system of color-coded laundry hampers or baskets helps family members sort clothes for washing. Use three baskets or hampers large enough to hold one washer load of clothes each. Buy a white basket for the all-white clothes, a medium-colored basket for the light-colored clothes and a dark basket for the dark-colored clothes. Family members put dirty clothes and towels in the appropriate baskets. This saves time sorting mixed clothes.