Nearly every household has one: a pile of paper on the kitchen worktop. It starts with a letter, a leaflet and a note from school, and within days it has spread. The pile is hard to sort, because it mixes things that need attention with things that can go in the bin. A small system, with a few habits, puts an end to it.
Understand why it lands there
Paper lands on the worktop because that is where people arrive with their hands full. They come in, put things down, and forget about them. Rather than fighting the habit, give the paper a better place nearby. A wall pocket, a tray or a shelf close to the door will catch most of it before it reaches the worktop.
Sort on the spot
The best rule is to deal with each piece of paper once. When it comes in, decide immediately: does it need action, does it need to be kept, or can it be thrown away? Leaflets and envelopes can go straight into the recycling. Keep a small bin or a paper bag next to the door for this. Anything that needs action goes into a tray, and anything to keep goes into a folder.
A tray for things to do
An in-tray on a shelf or a wall gives every family member a place for papers that need a reply, a signature or a payment. When it is full, that is the sign it is time to sit down and work through it. Make a habit of doing this at a set time, perhaps at the weekend over a cup of tea.
Family papers in one place
School letters, invitations and timetables can go on a noticeboard or in a file kept in the kitchen or hall. Ask children to hand over what they bring home as soon as they arrive, rather than leaving it in a bag. A calendar next to the board helps everybody see what is coming up. With a clear place for each type of paper, the worktop becomes a place for cooking again, and the paper never gets out of hand.
