How to Organize Your Home with a 3 Step Plan
I just recently re-organized my apartment,ย and I thought I’d share with you how to organize your home with a three step plan.
Living in a small space can be a challenge. The living room is the play room, and the kitchen as well. The nursery doubles as the craft room and the home office, of course. This means that there is constantly clutter in the main areas. This does not have to mean living in a mess.
Breaking up the task of organizing your home can make a formidable task more approachable.
How to Organize your Home:ย
Step 1. Assess Your Mess
What’s getting in the way? In the case of my desk, for example, it was the pens we just used (normally kept in the top drawer beneath my laptop), mail that needed to be taken care of, spare change, etc. It can be toys that don’t have a home yet, or any other clutter that seems to be constantly building up.
Figuring out what your “problem” items are allows you to go on to the next step:
Step 2. Create a Home
Now that you know what your problem areas are, find a solution for each problem. For the problem of the pens which were obviously not finding their way back to their home easily enough, I covered a pringle can with colored paper and now I have a place to “dump” them.
For mail that needs to be taken care of, I designated a cardboard box.
Think outside the box, giving items that are already lying around a new purpose, one that it may not have been created for. Shoe organizers are one of the best things you can use to organize – the little compartments on them are perfect for holding all sorts of things. I used one kind for my many scarves and hats (organized by color of course),
and another for my baby’s toys and books (you can learn how to turn a shoe organizer into a book rack here. It will teach you how to neatly expand compartments for books and larger toys).
Step 3. Divide and Conquer
This is usually the most intimidating part – tackling the actual mess. I just take it one thing at a time. I pick up a random item, and place it in the new home I created for it.
TIP: If there is no home for the item, and you haven’t used it in the past year, throw it out!
The concept is really simple: See what you have, make a place for it, and put it there. The key is that everything has a home in a place that’s comfortable and convenientย – once each item has a place it belongs near where you can use it, it’ll be easier to keep it in place. If you tend to dump something, make a place to dump it (hooks for coats…)
Of course, the main thing is to repeat what’s worked for you in the past.
A few extra hints to help you organize your home:
- Never let it build up too much again
- Upcycle when ever possible
- If you live in a small space think vertically (put hutches on your desks and dressers, shelves on the walls)
- Look for hidden storage solutions (do you have deep windowsills? under beds and couches? are you using the vertical space in your closets?)
- Invest in things like plastic storage drawers and over the toilet organizers
- Always try for multi-purpose items when purchasing new furniture (storage ottomans, coffee tables that can be used as a dining table as well, etc.)
Do you have any tips for eliminating clutter? Comment below to share them!
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One of the most important things I do is declutter. On a massive scale. Every 4-5 months, about 2-3 times a year, I go through every room in my house and get rid of anything I haven’t used since the last time unless, of course, it’s a seasonal item. It takes time, about 2 weeks for my 3 bedroom apt, but it is so worth it. Whatever I can, I sell, and whatever is garbage I very happily throw out. Another thing is, I don’t save my kids clothing past size 24 months. The space it takes up is too great. On a smaller scale, I try not to buy in bulk. I dont have a BJs or Costco membership. Unless it’s toilet paper, its not worth it for me to have 50 cans of tuna taking up space. Also, a designated spot for keys, wallets, chargers makes a big difference in both clutter and the morning rush. And last, but not least, when the kids are playing there are 3 toys out at a time. Maximum. It makes controlling the mess that much easier and less taxing.
Another great idea for decluttering: the website swapmamas. you can swap for other people’s things they don’t need. Just make sure you’re getting what you need, not more junk. Also, the keys, wallets chargers idea is great – an ashtray or small tin works great for that too!! Thanks for your tips!!
This advice in this post is super practical and do-able! Thanks for sharing
this advice is super practical and do-able. great post!!!
My biggest piece of advice for organizing the home is to get rid of the junk. If you have not used something in more than a year or so, donate it or toss it. You obviously do not need it.
Goodness did I need this as a reminder to take it slow and one step at a time to tackle the home. Thanks for sharing!
We are in the midst of decluttering and finding homes for things. Moved in to our house a year ago and are still working on just where stuff would best fit. Thanks for the great tips, good reminder to take it slow and it will get done.