My Top 20 Organizing & Decluttering Tips
Let’s be honest, it can be daunting to start organizing your whole house. So start small and gradually implement some tiny habits that will make organizing easier going forward. Here are some of my favorite organizing and decluttering tips and tricks!
1 - Don’t buy organizing containers until after you declutter. Yes, it can be super fun to wonder the aisles of The Container Store, but it is much better to wait and do this once you know what you need so you don’t over buy. You may also find some containers you already own in the process.
2 - Think of what you hate to pull out or put way - fix that first. Does a pile of something always fall out when you reach in the closet for your coat? Is there a stack of stuff on the toolbox that needs to get moved every time you want a screwdriver? Start with what irritates you most.
3 - Open all mail right away. Once mail starts piling up, it’s a slippery slope. Always open mail immediately and toss what you don’t need. Keep a shredder or theft protection stamp handy to safeguard against identity theft.
4 - Create easy access to reusable bags. How often do you get to the store only to realize you forgot a bag? Fill a decorative tote or basket with reusable shopping bags and keep it near your front door, so you can grab a bag & go!
5 - Use boot inserts. Say good-bye to drooping boots that fall over and get pushed to the back of the closet only to be found later covered in dust bunnies! Boot inserts are inexpensive, easy to use and will keep your tall boots, especially those made of leather or suede, from creasing.
My boots with inserts!
6 - Break up large drawers. Most drawers become “junk” drawers because the space is too big and nothing has it's own place. Divide these drawers up with multiple smaller containers.
TIP: You don’t need to buy new products. One of my clients uses old cell phone and tablet boxes. These are usually very sturdy and low enough to fit in desk drawers!
7 - Designate spaces. Assign a home to everything! It is much easier to stay organized when you know where things belong. This is for smaller items like keys and change, as well as larger items like a vacuum or winter blankets.
8 - Keep flat surfaces clear. An easy way to stop your home from gathering piles is to make it a habit to always keep counters and tabletops clear. It also forces you to designate spaces (see above).
9 - Limit similiar purchases. I only buy clothes I like in two colors max because at some point they will wear out or go out of style and it’s much easier to part with two sweaters than five!
10 - Stick small hooks inside cabinet doors. Hanging is a great way to store bottle brushes, dishrags and more without taking up precious drawer or cabinet space.
11 - Create a returns basket. Put a basket near your entry way to gather items that need to leave the house, such as purchase returns, library books, the neighbor’s casserole dish, etc. This saves you time from having to hunt things down as you are walking out the door.
12 - Set aside time to manage your email. Just like physical clutter, electronic clutter can take over your life. Dedicate one day each week for email maintenance, such as unsubscribing from newsletters, filing emails, setting up rules and responding to oustanding messages.
13 - Try the hanger trick. Turn all of your hangers the “wrong” direction. Once you have worn something, put it back facing the right direction. After six months , you can quickly see (and donate) the items you haven’t worn!
14 - Store a container in each persons’ closet for donations. When something will no longer worn due to size or other considerations, it can get tossed right in, rather than put back in the closet or thrown in a pile to be dealt with later. A designated bin makes it easy to clear out items.
TIP: Want more information on how to responsibility donate your used clothing items? Check out Where Should I Donate My Old Clothes?
15 - Create a necklace display. Necklaces are tough to store neatly. The only real option is to buy a necklace stand. Instead, hang necklaces on a pretty bulletin board. I got this one at HomeGoods for under $15!
16 - Arrange spices alphabetically. This allows you to quickly find (and return) your spices to the correct location. Don’t forget to check those expiration dates, too!
17 - Make a space for handbag contents. I switch purses a lot and hate transfering all of my items each time. So I put the things I may need, like lip balm, tissues, eye drops, etc., into a plastic organizer. When I grab a purse, I simply pull out what I need for that day and toss it in! At the end of the day, don’t forget to empty you purse and put everything back.
18 - Create kids’ memory boxes. Take regular totes or boxes and designate one per child (they can even help decorate them). Store all of the artwork, photos, certificates and other items you want to keep here.
19 - Group like items together. Gather all similar items from around your house and store them in one spot. This not only makes it easier to find things, but keeps your home looking neater!
20 - Store similar shaped food containers & lids together. This small task makes storing leftovers so much easier!
Everyone deserves a home that is a haven
There is more to decluttering and organizing than just throwing things away and putting things back. You want to create a space for yourself that is both orderly and beautiful. How?
Reducing visual clutter and allowing empty spaces will really help. Every bit of shelf space does not need to be filled.
Uniformity can also help to create a sense of calm; use matching containers and put similarly colored items together.
