How to Organize Your Home Quickly: Simple Solutions for a Clutter-Free Space
Not everyone is in a place to thoroughly declutter and organize their space, but that doesn't mean it needs to be hard to keep it mostly clutter-free. Here are five things you can do right now to clear away the clutter and make your home more of a haven!
1. Buy Matching Hangers: You have probably heard this one before, but from my professional experience, it’s true. If all of your hangers match, your closet will immediately look better! Not only that, good hangers support your clothes and allow them to keep their shape better. They also prevent them from sliding off onto the floor. For clothing closets, I recommend any sturdy velvet hangers in black. Why black? Because lighter colors can discolor or stain from some fabrics. Plus, black is always easy to match no matter what brand you buy. For coats however, I typically recommend wooden hangers which can hold more weight. IKEA always has a great deal on these - eight hangers for just $5!
I have found that dark-colored velvet hangers work great for most standard clothes closets
2. Use Opaque Bins: Do you tend to toss clothes on to your shelves you don’t want to or don’t have time to fold? What about craft supplies? Or electronics, like remotes, charges and headphones that don’t neatly stack? If you don’t have the time or inclination to neatly organize these items, put them in baskets or fabric bins you can’t see through. This will give your shelves a super streamlined and organized look without actually having to organize!
Tightly-woven baskets, fabric bins and opaque plastic totes are all great options for hiding clutter
3. Categorize Junk Drawers: This is easier than you think. First, dump out the drawers contents and quickly categorize similar items. Pick general categories, like “office supplies” or “small tools”. Next, break up the drawer space in some way so you have smaller compartments. While you can buy drawers organizers like these, it will work just as well if you use items you already have in your home, like small jewelry boxes or old iPhone boxes.
Compartmentalizing the space is key. The reason drawers often become junk drawers is because they are too large for the small items being tossed in and there is no dedicated purpose. Identifying items and sorting items in your junk drawer into smaller spaces and categories will make it easier to find what you need.
4. Think Vertically: Keep things off of counters and floors by thinking vertically! Here are a few easy options:
Hooks - Locate unused wall and cabinet door space and put up hooks. For areas where you don’t want to make a hole, try Command hooks. They are perfect for hanging dish rags, utensils, cutting boards and more.
Baskets - No space for hooks? Try over-the-cabinet storage baskets, like small ones for sponges and sprays or deep ones for baking sheets and cutting boards.
Racks - You can also buy wall mountable racks, which are perfect for tin foil and plastic wrap.
Organizers - Over-the-door organizers are great for storing everything from shoes to painting supplies to toiletries. They are simple to put up and use, plus they are hidden away behind a door.
There are lots of options for hanging items that would normally take up valuable cabinet space
5. Make It Move: Not everything in your home needs to be stationary. You can easily pull out items when you need them and hide them away when you don't. Here are just a few ideas:
Rolling Storage Carts - Kids’ crafts, baking supplies, homework items, back up toiletries and extra food are just a few things you can keep on a rolling cart. They are perfect for things like spices and cleaning products - things that don’t need to be in view at all times. Some carts are super thin and specifically designed to make use of even the thinnest of spaces often found in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens between cabinets or large appliances. For appliances, find a heavy-duty one made of metal.
Expandable Clothes Rack - There are a lot of great options for hiding away drying racks when you don’t need them. Check out this GorillaRack which is sturdy and space-saving.
Hide Away Furniture - From Murphy beds to foldable wall mounted desks to dog beds hidden in end tables, there are a lot of options today for multifunctional furniture. Less furniture = less clutter!
Remember, you don’t need to be perfect at putting everything away to have a home that looks organized (most of the time)!
