Organizing and STAYING organized are two very different things. With that said, if you put in the time and energy to set up your environment in a thoughtful and practical way the task of staying organized becomes much easier. Here's how to master home organization!
Tip #1 - Declutter, declutter, declutter
Set aside a day, put on some tunes you enjoy, and go room to room pulling items that aren't practical, you no longer need, or that don't make you happy. Not sure how to begin? Keep reading, I'll tell you.
Make yourself a DONATE box and a TOSS box. Most items you're parting with can likely be donated to Goodwill or Savers.
PRO TIP: Drop your donation box(es) off as soon as possible, ideally at the end of your decluttering day. Try not to leave boxes in a basement, mudroom, or car. The idea is to physically and mentally free yourself by offloading quickly.
Take on one room at a time and don't overthink it. Go from one side of the room to the other looking in high-traffic areas for obvious items that can go. Then focus on areas that take more thought to tackle, such as dresser drawers, shelves, cabinets, closets, etc. Remember you don't have to do it all in one day, everyone is different and this task can be harder for some.
If you're struggling to decide whether to keep or discard an item then move on. Don't spend more than a couple of minutes on each object or time will really start to get away from you.
Keep in mind, unless something is sentimental it can always be replaced. Your items aren't YOU. Thoughts, emotions, and experiences are far more valuable than a picture frame or a chipped mug.
Tip #2 - Find a home for everything
This is the best tip I can possibly give when it comes to home, as well as office, organization. It's a simple idea, takes effort, but is completely doable.
Every object needs a thoughtful and practical place. This is especially essential for items you use every day that would cause stress if lost, e.g., cell phone chargers, T.V. remotes, keys, dog leashes, etc. A cell phone charger, for example, shouldn't move around, it should be kept in a spot where you can use it most efficiently. I keep mine next to my bed where I use it every night. I never search for my charger, I know exactly where it is. I do, however, have a second charger that can be moved around in case I need juice mid-day. I keep that bad boy in my kitchen and use it as needed without disturbing my go-to that stays safely at my bedside.
Much like decluttering, go from big picture to small picture. Start by assigning a purpose for each of the rooms in your home. Mixed-use rooms aren't a deal breaker, but combining office, bedroom, storage, library, and playroom is a recipe for a big ol' mess. For instance, if you have a designated office area it's easy to know exactly what belongs in that room and it's also a whole lot easier to focus on office tasks when you're in there. Fewer distractions and less chaos = more calm productivity and enjoyable experiences.
"For every minute spent organizaing, an hour is earned." - Anonymous
As you find permanent places for your things keep similar/like items together and resist the urge to pile. When you make piles it becomes incredibly difficult to ever find the things you need when you need them. Neat bins and baskets are great for dividing and organizing.
Tip #3 - Use the right organizational products for optimal home organization
Utilizing bins, labels, and gadgets without purging or making practical decisions about item placement won't organize your home. Putting clutter in bins is still clutter.
I suggest purging first then start looking for helpful products. There are tons of fun and useful resources on Amazon and at The Container Store, but there are typically pretty great finds at Savers and on Facebook marketplace too. I always look for used stuff first then I move on if I can't find what I need.
PRO TIP: Clear bins are fantastic because you can see the contents easily. Stacking bins are also highly recommended to make the most use of space. Matching bins will give a more visually pleasing aesthetic. Check these out!
Tip #4 - Set up a filing system for important documents
This one might seem out of left field, but I assure you it's very important. Whether you manage your documents in paper format or electronically, you should have a proper system to stay organized. There are some docs and items that you don't need every day but when you do it's wildly stressful if you can't find them. I guess this applies to many things but in this case, we're talking about passports, specialized licenses, retirement account info, taxes, vaccination cards, etc.
Get yourself a filing cabinet and hanging folders, preferably a cabinet that locks. If you're a hard copy person, you'll need a larger cabinet. I suggest creating a folder for each subject and then sub-categorize by date within the folder so it's easy to find what you need when the time comes.
Tip #5 - Maintain order
Here's the real icing on the organization cake. To keep your newly organized environment staying beautiful and operating smoothly be sure to whip through every now and then to declutter in small bursts. It's natural to accumulate stuff, it just shows up! Once you're all organized though it becomes easier to notice the things you don't need and it's a much smaller undertaking to purge regularly rather than in one giant burst every few years when everything really gets out of control.
In short...
We're purging, sorting, homing, and maintaining. If you find that you're struggling to apply these steps, but you have the desire to get organized, don't worry! Please feel welcome to reach out, I offer professional organization services including hands-on work and/or remote consulting: Learn more at spruceandtidy.com.
Don't forget to like, share, and comment. I want to hear your feedback - new ideas are always welcome!
Nothing makes me vibrate joy like an organized space!!