Home organization isn’t just about appearances. It’s about creating a space where you can think clearly, work efficiently, and relax fully. When your surroundings are cluttered, your mind can feel cluttered too. On the other hand, a well-organized home can uplift your mood, boost your productivity, and provide a sense of control and satisfaction. So, how can you achieve a more organized home? Here are 14 ways that have worked for me.
1. Start with a Purge
In my experience, the first step towards a more organized home is de-cluttering. Take a weekend or a few days to go through every room and get rid of anything you don’t need or use. This can be difficult, especially when you’re attached to items with sentimental value, but it’s essential for creating more space and reducing visual clutter.
After my first big purge, I was amazed at how much more open and peaceful my home felt. I donated some items, sold others, and recycled or tossed the rest. The process was therapeutic, and it made the subsequent steps of organizing my home much easier.
2. Use Storage Solutions Creatively
Once you’ve de-cluttered, it’s time to find a place for everything that’s left. But instead of cramming everything into closets and drawers, consider using storage solutions creatively. This could mean using decorative baskets to store throw blankets, mounting a pegboard in the kitchen for utensils, or using a room divider with shelving to store books and display decor.
When I implemented creative storage solutions, it made my home feel more personalized and functional. My items were easy to find, and the storage solutions themselves added to the aesthetic of my home.
3. Create a Daily Cleaning Schedule
A daily cleaning schedule can help maintain the organization and cleanliness of your home. This doesn’t have to be time-consuming; just a few tasks each day can make a big difference. For example, make your bed in the morning, do the dishes after each meal, and do a quick tidy-up of the living room in the evening.
I found that a daily cleaning schedule helped me keep on top of things, and prevented messes from building up. It also made deep-cleaning days much less daunting.
4. Organize by Category, Not by Room
One of the most effective organization strategies I’ve found is organizing by category, not by room. This means grouping similar items together, no matter where they’re located in the house. For example, gather all your books together before deciding where to store them.
This method, popularized by Marie Kondo, helped me see exactly how much of each item I had, which made it easier to de-clutter. It also made it easier to find things, because I always knew where to look for a specific category of items.
5. Label Everything
Labeling can be a game-changer when it comes to home organization. It ensures that every item has a designated place, and it makes it easy for everyone in the household to know where things go.
When I started labeling, I was surprised at how much it reduced clutter and confusion. I used a label maker for things like spice jars and storage bins, and I used chalkboard paint and chalk markers for larger items like baskets and crates.
6. Use Vertical Space
When organizing, don’t forget to use vertical space. This can include walls, the backs of doors, and the insides of cupboards. For instance, you might use a tall bookshelf to store books and decor, or you might hang racks on the inside of a cupboard door to store spices or cleaning supplies.
Using vertical space effectively allowed me to store more items without taking up more floor space. It also drew the eye upwards, which made my rooms feel larger and more open.
7. Keep Flat Surfaces Clear
Keeping flat surfaces clear can drastically reduce visual clutter. This includes tables, countertops, desks, and floors. Try to keep these surfaces as clear as possible, only keeping out necessary items and a few pieces of decor.
When I started keeping flat surfaces clear, I noticed that my home felt more spacious and less chaotic. It also gave me more room to work and play, and made cleaning easier.
8. Use Color Coding
Color coding can be a fun and effective way to organize. You might color code your closet, your filing system, or your kids’ toys. For example, I color coded my books by genre, which made it easy to find what I was looking for and created a visually pleasing display.
Color coding not only made my home more organized, but it also brought more color and personality into my spaces. Plus, it made it easy for my children to help with organization, because they could easily understand and follow the color coding system.
9. Implement the One-In-One-Out Rule
One of the best ways to prevent clutter from building up is to implement the one-in-one-out rule. This means that for every new item you bring into your home, you should get rid of an old one.
This rule helped me keep my home at a comfortable level of fullness, and prevented me from accumulating too many items. It also made me think twice before making purchases, because I knew I would have to part with something in return.
10. Utilize Multi-Purpose Furniture
Multi-purpose furniture can help save space and reduce clutter. This might include a bed with built-in drawers, a coffee table with storage, or a bench that can serve as a dining seat and a place to store shoes.
Multi-purpose furniture made my home more functional and helped me maximize space. Plus, it often added a unique and stylish element to my decor.
11. Make Use of Under-the-Bed Storage
The space under your bed is often overlooked, but it can be a great place for storage. You might store out-of-season clothing, extra bedding, or rarely-used items under your bed.
When I started using under-the-bed storage, I was able to free up closet space and reduce clutter. I used storage bins with wheels for easy access, and I made sure to label everything so I could easily find what I needed.
12. Create a Landing Zone
Creating a landing zone near your front door can help keep clutter from spreading throughout your home. This might include a coat rack, a shoe rack, and a place to put keys, mail, and other items you need when you leave the house.
When I created a landing zone, it made coming and going much smoother. It also helped me keep track of important items, and it prevented coats, shoes, and bags from cluttering up other parts of my home.
13. Regularly Reevaluate and Adjust
Organization isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. Regularly reevaluate your organization systems and adjust as needed. You might find that what worked a few months ago no longer works, or that you’ve accumulated new items that need a place.
When I started regularly reevaluating and adjusting, I found that it kept my home organization fresh and effective. It also allowed me to continually improve and refine my systems.
14. Keep a Donation Box
Finally, keep a donation box somewhere in your home. Whenever you come across an item you no longer need or want, put it in the box. When the box is full, donate the items.
Keeping a donation box helped me continually de-clutter and keep my home organized. It also made donating a regular habit, which felt good and benefited others.
