Let’s just agree on this- home organization sometimes feels like a full-time job! Especially when we dare to tackle everything at once. How many of us are guilty of doing this- trying to be done with our entire spring cleaning over a weekend? Or do a complete holiday overhaul in a day. Very brave of us, I would say. But perhaps not the smartest idea after all.
I know, I have overestimated my capacity to organize my entire home on quite a few occasions. Over the years, I have learned from my experiences. Home organization isn’t a one-and-done deal. Rather it’s a process in motion. And as with most processes, there are certain things that you can do to make this one easier as well.
Putting your house in order, if you can do it, is one of the most comforting activities, and the benefits of it are incalculable.
Leonard Cohen
So, in today’s article, we shall take a look at a few tips and tricks that will surely make your organization endeavor more manageable. These are tried and tested methods and what is more, you might actually enjoy the process.
But before we delve into the tips, let’s ask an important question.
Why Focus On Home Organization?
It’s always nice to have a clean and orderly place. Especially when that place is our home. Our abodes are our sanctuaries in most cases and ensuring that they remain tidy makes our lives a bit more comfortable.
At the same time, it is also necessary to point out that a clean and organized space is calming. I know that I get very stressed when my home is cluttered and untidy. Putting things away in their place gives me an odd sense of peace and I cannot be the only one on that boat.
Thus, home organization is but a step towards having a more put-together, less stressful, and definitely less anxious life.
However, I would also like to mention one thing here. Over the years, through anecdotes and personal experiences, I have understood one very important aspect of tidying my home. When one is feeling down in the dumps and depressed, cleaning and organizing the home is the last thing on the mind. So if you find yourself in such a situation or know of someone who is, be gentle. To yourself and to others. While having a tidy home is an excellent thing, remember that it isn’t the most important, especially not at the cost of mental well-being.
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10 Home Organization Tips For You
Now, let’s look at 10 home organization tips that will make you feel so much in control of your life (and clutter)!
1. Declutter First
The first thing to do is of course declutter. Take out all the junk that you have been hoarding. Give away things that you haven’t used in a long time. Yes, that means all those clothes that you have been keeping for “the right time to wear”. No, you don’t need them now.
Reducing the number of material possessions is the number one way to bring order into your life. The fewer things, the easier it is to manage them. Simple!
Related Read: How To Declutter- 10 Easy Tips To Help You Get Started Today!
2. A Place For Everything
Once you are satisfied with your decluttering efforts, set on to find a place for everything. This sounds tedious but is a wonderful practice when it comes to home organization.
Allot specific space for various items. Use baskets, boxes with lids, organizers, and hampers to store everything. And develop the habit of putting back things in their designated spots after use.
3. Implement The 5-Minute Rule
This is as simple as it can get. If a task takes about five minutes to complete, then do it now. Do not put it off. This way you can put an end to all that unnecessary procrastination, especially when it comes to doing household chores
4. Create A Cleaning Schedule
Whether you are a stay-at-home parent or busy working outside your home, having a cleaning schedule benefits all. One key element of home organization is having a more or less tidy space at most times. Now it isn’t possible to clean your entire house every day. That’s where a schedule comes in handy.
Tackle different areas of your home on different days. If you are too busy on the weekdays then just focus on tending to the high-traffic areas of your home. This will most likely include the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Reserve your thorough cleanings for the weekends.
5. Try A Seasonal/Capsule Wardrobe
Keeping in line with the theme of minimalism for home organization, consider curating a capsule wardrobe.
This particular tip will not only result in a tidier place but also reduce your decision fatigue. Especially on those rushed mornings.
If you are not comfortable with the idea of a limited capsule wardrobe, then go for a seasonal rotation of clothes. Store your off-season items in bags or boxes, label them, and forget about them till the next year.
Related Read: Shop Your Closet- Create New Looks Without Spending Extra!
6. Invest in Multi-Purpose Items
Look to invest in pieces that have multiple purposes in your home. One such item is the ottoman that doubles as storage. These are really lifesavers, especially when it comes to home organization.
Think nested tables, seats, and coffee tables that double as storage, couches that transform into beds, dining tables that extend, etc. The possibilities are endless. These pieces look good and remove quite a bit of visual clutter.
7. Basket And Label
Baskets are an absolute must for an organized home. And don’t forget to label them. This makes finding things easier, especially when you are in a rush.
8. Rotate Toys
If you have kids then I am pretty sure that one of the biggest causes of clutter in your home is their toys. Now, for the older ones we can and should teach them to pick up after themselves. But for the younger ones, one way to handle this is to rotate their toys.
If you follow the Montessori method at home then I am sure that you are already doing this. But for those of you who don’t, the idea is to bring out only select toys for a period and alternate them as necessary. This serves a dual purpose- children do not get bored with playing with the same things and you get to control the amount of toys.
Remember, the lesser the things, the lower the mess.
9. Make It Look Nice
Once you have successfully tackled the clutter and organized stuff according to your satisfaction, make it look nice. You don’t need to create a Pinterest-worthy home. However, adding various decor accents according to your specific taste will work wonders.
I have personally found that a clean home is calming. But a clean home with a bit of my personal aesthetic touch is absolutely delightful.
10. Enlist Help
Last but not the least, ask for help. Doing all of the above as a continuous habit is not an easy task. So if you have family living with you, enlist their help. Teach your children this essential life skill. Get your partner on board.
And if you live alone, then fret not. While you will have to do all the day-to-day chores on your own, you can still get some help. Make major assignments an event. Decluttering your wardrobe? Why not invite your bestie over and go through your stuff with a bottle of wine as a companion? Just because it’s mundane it doesn’t mean it can’t be fun!
Peace.
Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
