Best of the Best

There’s no doubt about it, we are a nation of media fanatics! Movies, music, and magazines are among the most popular forms of entertainment and relaxation today. There’s nothing like kicking back at home with a good movie on a Sunday afternoon. Or curling up in your favorite chair and spending some quality time with People magazine. But when you begin to be surrounded by this stuff, it’s not fun or relaxing!

Have you ever looked at your entertainment center, bulging with CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes, and wondered how in the world it got that bad? And what about that ever-growing heap of magazines in the corner of the den? Do you feel guilty about the fact that you’ve been meaning to do something about it, but can’t quite figure out what that ‘something’ is?

Let me tell you, you’re not alone! It happens to the best of us. When it comes to multi-media, the accumulation process begins slowly, almost imperceptibly. You buy a few new CDs here. The latest DVD release there. The most recent issue of your favorite magazine arrives in the mail. And before you know it, you’ve got enough inventory to open your own entertainment superstore, but considerably less square footage in which to store it.

Never fear! Bringing order to a multi-media collection can be an entertaining organizing project when you approach it with a plan. The first step is to use the golden rule of organizing and group like things together. Once you’ve done that, go through each category and determine if it needs to be pared down. Remember, it’s not about getting rid of everything. It’s about letting go of what is no longer serving you so you can open up space for the things you still use and cherish.

Once you’ve sorted and pruned your collection, you’re ready to determine the best way to store it. And thanks to the wide array of products available, you should have no problem finding something that fits your needs, taste, and budget. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Lights, camera, action!