In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining an organized home is more important than ever. A well-organized home not only enhances your living space but also reduces stress and promotes a sense of calmness. Whether you’re decluttering your closet or finding ways to efficiently manage your kitchen, effective home organizing methods can transform your space into a sanctuary. Here are my top ten spaces to start effectively begin to organize your home, making it a more functional and enjoyable place to live.
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Organize Your Home – Getting Started
If you are like me, your to-do list goes beyond the hours available in the day. As a mom on the run with four daughters, working full time, I know how hard it can be to get started on those seemingly overwhelming organization projects. Just finding time to get the laundry done and make dinner can be a challenge some days! If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone.
It took me quite a while to figure out how to organize our busy (and full) home. I have outlined my top ten spaces to help organize your home. This is not a start-to-finish list. Read through and decide which project you would like to try. What would make the biggest impact on you and your home? When you are ready, move on to the next project. I find that once I start organizing a space, I feel so much better! It motivates me to keep going. If you have been putting off an organization project, this is your sign! Keep reading to pick that perfect organization project to get started!
1. Declutter and Simplify Your Closet
A cluttered closet can make getting ready for the day daunting. Effective home organizing methods begin with decluttering. Remove everything from your closet and sort items into three categories: keep, donate, and discard.
Implementation Tips:
- Use the 80/20 Rule: We often wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Focus on keeping that 20%.
- If the other 80% makes up special occasion outfits, narrow that selection down and keep only what you love to wear.
- Seasonal Rotation: Store out-of-season clothes in labeled bins or vacuum bags.
- Be sure to designate a space for these items once in storage; try a higher shelf in your closet, under the bed, or in a clean, dry space in the basement.
- Organize by Category: Hang similar items together, such as shirts, pants, and dresses.
- You can further break this down by long-sleeve vs. short sleeve or by color if you prefer.
- Limit Non-Clothing and Apparel Items: Remove items other than clothing, bags, shoes, and jewelry to place in appropriate storage locations.
My closet had become the collection space for just about everything, beyond more clothing than I needed, including kids’ art projects, wrapping paper, keepsakes, paperwork, and more! The additional clutter made getting ready for the day a challenge. I transformed my chaotic closet by removing all of the extras and placing them in designated storage areas, donating unused clothes, installing a closet system with adjustable shelving to maximize space, giving everything a home, and making my morning routine seamless.
2. Streamline Your Living Room
The living room is the heart of the home. To create a welcoming space, focus on organizing elements that enhance comfort and functionality.
Implementation Tips:
- Use Multi-Functional Furniture: Choose coffee tables or ottomans with storage.
- This provides a place to keep remotes or other small items accessible but out of site.
- Cable Management: Use cable organizers to keep electronic wires tidy.
- This is especially useful with computer equipment or around the TV. Not only do organizers keep everything together and looking cleaner, but they also help protect little ones and pets who might get into loose cables.
- Display with Purpose: Limit decorative items to those that bring joy or have sentimental value.
- If you have several pictures or keepsakes, try rotating them with the seasons. This way, you can still keep your favorites without feeling overwhelmed.
As you work through the space, dust and wiped down as you go. This makes cleaning a breeze! Now is a great time to move your furniture to give the room a new and inviting feel. Think about the paths through the room and where to place the furniture relative to the TV and fireplace (if you have one).
3. Optimize Kitchen Storage
A well-organized kitchen makes meal preparation a joy rather than a chore. Implement effective organizing methods to maximize efficiency and create a functional baking space.
Implementation Tips:
- Drawer Dividers: Use them for utensils and kitchen tools. Make sure to measure your drawer size to ensure a perfect fit.
- As you are placing your utensils back in the drawer, consider each item and its use. This is a great time to purge the extras or unused items.
- Cabinet Organization: Group similar items and label them for easy access if you prefer. Keep everyday dishes together and easily accessible. Move seasonal or rarely used items to higher shelves.
- Refrigerator Clean-Out: Take the time to empty and clean out the refrigerator.
- How many pickle jars or ketchup bottles are hidden in the back of the fridge? Refrigerators get cluttered, too. It is important to remove old items and arrange your fridge to easily find what you need.
- Start by taking everything out and washing down the shelves and drawers with warm soapy water.
As someone who loves to bake, especially around the holidays, finding what I need quickly can be stressful. Every fall, I take the time to prepare my kitchen for what I like to call the Holiday Baking Season! When the kitchen is organized and clean, and you know what food you have, meal prep and baking become much easier.
4. Create an Organized Pantry
A tidy pantry is essential for efficient meal preparation and reducing food waste. Because it is small, it is one of the first places to consider when you begin to organize your home. Below are some tips to help organize by food type and expiration date.
Implementation Tips:
- First-In, First-Out System: When adding items in the pantry, place newer items at the back. This way, the older items will be used first.
- Use Clear Bins: Easily see contents and track inventory of your pantry staples. Clear bins keep food fresh and minimize the draw of insects or rodents (yikes!).
- Lazy Susans: Ideal for corner spaces to store cans and jars. If your pantry has a deep corner that is hard to reach, consider a Lazy Susan or pull-out drawer attachment to help make use of the space.
When organizing your pantry, it is best to take everything out. If you have children at home, this is a great task for them! Check the expiration dates and discard anything that is expired. Wipe down all of the shelves and vacuum the floor. Then begin putting everything back in using the tools above. By being able to see what you have in your pantry already, you will spend less time and money shopping for items you don’t need.
5. Arrange a Functional Home Office
With remote work becoming the norm, a functional home office boosts productivity. Don’t forget your office as you begin to organize your home. Create a space that encourages focus and creativity.
Implementation Tips:
- Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in a good chair and desk to promote comfort and functionality.
- Be sure to research the best ergonomic designs when shopping for furniture. Standing or convertible desks are an excellent option.
- Look for an ergonomic chair that is comfortable and adjustable to fit your needs.
- Cable Management: Use under-desk trays or clips.
- Check to see if this comes with your desk or requires a separate purchase.
- Personal Touch: Add plants or art for inspiration. Pick a piece or two of your favorite art of a family portrait to add a personal touch. Just remember, not every inch of your desk needs to have something on it.
- Live plants are beautiful and promote a healthy environment. Consider succulents, spider plants, ferns, or aloe vera as easy-care options.
- Bookshelf: Find a streamlined bookshelf or other shelving unit to place on the wall behind your desk. Not only will it provide a nice backdrop for those video meetings, but it will also give any books or other items you have a designated home.
Try picking soothing and inspiring colors to promote creativity and serenity. Think about what energizes you and makes you happy in your space. With a little decluttering and organization, your office space will be your go-to spot, even when you aren’t working!
6. Tidy Up Your Bedroom for Serenity
Your bedroom should be a retreat from the world. Unfolded laundry on the floor, paperwork on the dresser, and a half-unpacked suitcase hardly screams relaxation! This is the time to organize and declutter to promote relaxation and restful sleep.
Implementation Tips:
- Nightstand and Dresser Tops: Keep only essentials like a lamp, photo, necessary chargers, and book.
- While this can be daunting if you have a lot piled up, it will feel so much better once everything is in its place. Take one step at a time. Focus on a small areas and then move on. Do you love it? Do you need it? Don’t be afraid to let go of items that no longer bring you joy or you don’t truly need.
- Under-Bed Storage: Utilize bins for seasonal clothes or shoes.
- Be sure not to just throw items under the bed though. Limit storage to a few closed containers that will fit nicely under the space and are easy to get to.
- Dresser Cleanout: Limit clothes to those you truly wear.
- Similar to the closet clean out, think about what you wear regularly. Look at everything else to determine if it needs to be stored with out-of-season items or if it is time to let it go. If it is the wrong size or completely worn out, it is okay to let it go.
As you are decluttering, remove everything from the space. Before putting back what stays, take the time to dust and wash down the piece of furniture. This is also an excellent opportunity to strip the bed and wash the sheets. Vacuum the mattress and wipe down the bed frame. There is something soothing about crawling into a freshly made bed in a newly decluttered room. If it is nice outside, open the windows to let in some fresh air. If not, a diffuser with your favorite essential oil is another great way to add a soothing element to your bedroom retreat! A great night sleep will give you the energy to begin the next space on your list as you organize your home.
7. Organize the Laundry Room
Don’t forget the laundry room as you begin to organize your home. A well-organized laundry room can make washing clothes a breeze. Focus on efficiency and accessibility.
Implementation Tips:
- Vertical Hampers: Save space and sort clothes by color or fabric. Vertical Hampers save floor space and add a clean design element to your laundry room.
- Wall-Mounted Drying Racks: Utilize wall space for air-drying clothes with wall-mounted drying racks. This is a great option if you have limited floor space. When not in use, they easily fold back against the wall.
- Declutter and Organize Cabinets: Use bins for detergents and cleaning supplies. Organize the cabinets so that similar cleaning supplies are grouped together. This will help you to know what you have to help you avoid overbuying.
Laundry rooms can be a busy room in the house. Whether you have a large or small laundry room, making it work for you is important. Take the time to determine the best space for the items you use on a regular basis.
8. Create a Functional Entryway
The entryway sets the tone for your home. Organize it to provide convenience and a warm welcome.
Implementation Tips:
- Shoe Racks: Prevent clutter by storing shoes neatly. If you have a hall closet near the door, show racks can be out of sight. If you need to keep shoe racks in the entryway, opt for a smaller or hidden shoe rack, perhaps combined with a table or bench for seating.
- Mirror with Shelf: Perfect for a quick final check before heading out. Mirrors can help increase light and make a space feel larger.
- A shelf on the bottom or the mirror gives space for your keys or a small candle or plant to add a cozy touch.
- Hooks and Baskets: For keys, bags, and mail. If you have a small entry table, place a basket for keys and a basket for mail and the paperwork that comes in the house daily. If you don’t have a table, place a basket or key hooks under the mirror.
- Make sure at the end of every week to go through what is left in the mail basket. If it needs to be filed away, don’t put it off! Don’t be afraid to use that shredder either!
Ultimately, make your entry match your style while adding functionality. Create a way to get items off the floor and create a warm inviting entrance into your home.
9. Arrange a Play Area for Kids
An organized play area encourages creativity and ensures safety. While this can be a tough one if your little one loves every toy and game, there are strategies you can implement to manage their play space effectively. Tackling the toy overflow will help you to navigate the other spaces as you organize your home.
Implementation Tips:
- Designated Play Space: Keep toys stored in one space in the main part of the house.
- If you are like our home, it is easy to let the toys pile up in every room. With a little work, it is possible to minimize the amount of your children’s items scattered throughout the house. The first step is to designate a special room or corner of a room that is only for your little one’s favorite things.
- Toy Rotation: Keep some toys out of sight to reduce clutter.
- This is better than it sounds. Sit down and go through the toys. If your child has outgrown something, donate or sell it. If it hasn’t been played with recently but might still be enjoyed later, place it in a tote for a toy rotation. Keep a selection of toys out for the play space and place the others in the tote in a closet or other designated storage space. Every few weeks, rotate the toys. This will keep play time interesting without being over stimulating.
- Open Shelving: Low shelves or storage cube shelves are great for easy access and cleanup, making putting the toys away much easier.
- Add clean-up to your child’s bedtime routine. Make sure everything is off the floor and in its place before going to bed for the night. Add a clean-up song to make the process more fun!
- Labels and Bins: Encourage kids to sort and store toys properly. Labeling bins or storage cubes are a great way to help your little one learn to organize and keep things in their place. Add the name or the picture of the item on the front. Leave a few open shelves for favorite books and larger items too.
After setting up a play corner in our family room, the amount of clutter around the house decreased so much! My daughter loves that she has her own space. We set up the shelving with a small table and chairs for play-doh and coloring. Every night, we pick up our toys before going to bed. This routine has been a game-changer!
10. Simplify the Bathroom
A clutter-free bathroom enhances the start and end of your day. Focus on organizing essentials and decreasing clutter to help keep your space tidy and clean.
Implementation Tips:
- Drawer Organizers: For toiletries and makeup. Drawer organizers offer an excellent solution to storing small bathroom items (think makeup, hair products and brushes, curling irons, toiletry items, etc.). The goal is to get as much off of your counter as possible. Try to limit the items on your countertop to the essentials: soap, lotion, tissues, a small caddy of everyday items, and a candle if you love them as much as I do!
- Shower Organizers: Keep products within reach. If you have limited shelving in your shower or bathtub, consider adding a suction cup or adhesive shower caddy set. These will keep your shampoo and soap off the floor or the tub’s edge. With so many styles and colors available, you can create a space that matches your decor style and adds functionality!
- Towel Bars and Hooks: Maximize wall space for towels. If you have a larger wall, use towel bars. If you have a smaller space, go with hooks. These can be placed on the wall or back of the door. If you are adding towel bars and hooks, consider what works best in your space to keep those towels off the floor.
When cleaning out your bathroom, remember less is more! Do you really need three curling irons that are the same size? Are you still holding on to old products because you might want to use them someday? If you haven’t touched it in the last year, you likely won’t be using it any time soon. It’s okay to let go of these things. Remember the 80/20 Rule? The same applies to the items in your bathroom.
Don’t forget to check those expiration dates too!
You did it! You began to organize your home!
Organizing your home is a journey that requires patience and persistence. Implementing these effective home organizing methods for the different spaces in your home can lead to a more functional, stress-free environment where you truly love spending time. Remember, the key is to start small, focus on one area at a time, and gradually work your way through the house. By simply reading this article, you have taken the first step to begin to organize your home!
As you embark on this journey to organize your home, consider these questions: What room in your home feels the most chaotic? How can implementing these strategies improve your daily life? How do you feel once your space is organized? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Happy organizing!
