It is time for some organization in your life. I know because we could all use a little more of that! Organization helps us feel more at peace and be able to accomplish more in less time. That is why I am happy to have Sara Skillen, the owner of SkillSet Coaching based in Franklin, TN to share some of her best tips on how to get an organized home. Her mission is to help busy people from all walks of life manage their stuff, their time, and their technology. She also specializes in coaching and organizing with adults challenged by ADD/ADHD. An active blogger and speaker, her tips and ideas have been featured in Fast Company, Angie’s List Experts, and NOU Magazine, as well as her own blog “Sorting Through the Haystack”. You will learn practical tips and techniques to navigate clutter, streamline your belongings, and create a harmonious living space that truly reflects your personality and style. I hope you enjoy her home organization tips.
Why You Need An Organized Home
An organized home offers numerous benefits, impacting both your physical and mental well-being. Here’s why maintaining an organized space is valuable:
1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Clutter can make it harder to relax and focus, leading to feelings of stress. A tidy environment promotes a sense of calm and control, helping you feel more at ease in your own space.
2. Home Organization Saves Time
When everything has a designated place, you spend less time searching for items like keys, documents, or tools. This efficiency allows you to focus on more important tasks or enjoy quality time with your family.
3. Enhances Productivity
An organized space helps you think clearly and boosts focus and productivity. Whether you’re working from home or tackling household projects, an uncluttered area fosters creativity and efficiency.
4. Improves Safety
Keeping things organized reduces the risk of accidents like tripping over items or knocking over unstable stacks. It’s particularly important if you have kids or pets who are prone to exploring.
5. An Organized Home Encourages Healthy Habits
When your home is organized, it’s easier to maintain routines like meal prepping, exercising, or getting enough sleep. For example, a clean kitchen motivates healthy cooking instead of relying on takeout.
6. Promotes a Positive Family Environment
An organized home creates a welcoming atmosphere. It can reduce tension among family members caused by misplaced items or a messy environment and foster a sense of teamwork when everyone contributes to keeping the space tidy.
7. Sets a Good Example for Kids
An organized home teaches children the value of responsibility and cleanliness. It can help them develop good habits that carry over into their own lives as they grow.
8. Supports Mindfulness
A clutter-free space encourages you to live in the present, helping you focus on what matters most instead of being overwhelmed by a chaotic environment.
Organizing your home can be an enjoyable and rewarding process! Keep reading for tips on organizing your home. Here’s a step-by-step guide to transform your living space into a functional, clutter-free sanctuary.
How To Organize Your Home
With the sun starting to linger a little longer in the evenings, are you feeling the need to get an organized home and clear out a closet or two (or maybe a whole garage or basement)? I read the other day that our “spring cleaning” traditions may have originated with a Chinese custom of cleaning the home right before the traditional New Year celebrations. The idea is that by sweeping away bad luck and misfortune from the previous year, there is room for good fortune to come in. Some people attribute the need to spring clean to the nicer weather for opening windows and freshening dingy spaces.
Whatever the reason, a survey from 2018 reports that 76% of Americans participate in some sort of spring cleaning ritual each year. But are they truly cleaning? What if there’s so much stuff covering the counters, tables and floors, that a thorough cleaning is not even possible? Before you catch the spring cleaning bug, perhaps it’s time to come down with spring organizing fever. Purposeful planning leads to greater success, so here are some great first steps to get an organized home.
1. Walk and talk through your spaces.
You can do this task solo or with a nonjudgmental friend or family member. Take pictures and/or record yourself talking about the most cluttered areas. Then – and this is key – look at the pictures or listen to yourself talk away from the space. Sometimes when you’re too close to your clutter, it’s tough to look at it objectively and you may feel overwhelmed about where to begin. Once you’ve looked or listened, you should have a better feel for which spots need the most attention.
2. Think it through: measure your time and resources.
When can you devote the time to clearing clutter? If you believe that purging the home office will take four hours, you should probably double that amount of time (if it takes less you can always kick back and relax). It’s also good to check your resources: will you need to purchase any supplies? (Pro tip: don’t buy supplies until AFTER you’ve purged!) Perhaps you’re thinking of hiring a professional organizer to help, or redoing a closet system. Be sure to set a budget for all of your organization solutions which may include things like chests of drawers and storage baskets.
3. Find some inspiration.
Whether you like to brainstorm ideas on Pinterest or Houzz, or your reward is simply being able to find your keys every day, keeping your brain on an end result makes beginning the process easier. Imagine what a decluttered space will look like, and how easy it will be to clean and maintain without the excess stuff.
4. Declutter
Grab some boxes and bags and go at it on the old clothing, the dusty knick-knacks, the old paperwork. Ask yourself these questions:
- Is this item still useful?
- When did I last use this item?
- Does this item bring good memories to mind?
Focus on high-traffic spaces that affect daily life, like the kitchen, living room, or entryway. Begin with one area: a drawer, a countertop, or one room at a time. As part of your plan to get an organized home, plan for donating, shredding, and recycling – and take that stuff out to your vehicle right away (or arrange for a pickup).
5. Categorize and Group Similar Items
Organize and group like items together (e.g., books, toys, office supplies).
Assign a “home” for each category. For instance:
- All cleaning supplies in one cabinet.
- Seasonal decorations in labeled bins.
6. Use Storage Solutions
- Baskets and bins: Great for toys, blankets, or pantry items.
- Drawer organizers: Keep small items like utensils or makeup tidy.
- Shelving: Maximize vertical space in closets or living areas.
- Clear containers: Ideal for storage in closets or pantries, so you can see what’s inside.
- Add hooks, dividers, or hanging shelves in closets.
7. Label Everything
- Use labels on bins, shelves, and drawers to help everyone remember where things belong.
- For kids, consider picture labels to make it easy for them to pitch in.
8. Establish Daily Habits
- Practice the “one in, one out” rule: Bring something new in only if you remove something old.
- Tidy up for 10–15 minutes each day to maintain organization.
- Encourage family members to put items back in their designated spots.
Conclusion
An organized home not only looks better, it makes you feel better! There are psychological benefits of an organized home. It can actually positively impact your mental well-being. Decluttering, tidying up, and designing a space can create an environment that promotes relaxation, focus, and overall happiness. So go ahead and follow our step-by-step guide to decluttering your home and achieving a clutter-free environment that feels good! Use these efficient sorting techniques and practical storage solutions to conquer clutter and create a serene living space.
Once you transform your home into a peaceful sanctuary with our expert tips, you can incorporate minimalist design principles, soothing colors, and natural elements to establish a serene oasis where you can unwind and recharge. Are you feeling it? Is the fever to get an organized home taking hold? Try curing it with some neat, organized, functional spaces!
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Stephanie says
I’ve just hit 6 months pregnant, and I am definitely in the nesting/cleaning zone! We are rearranging rooms this weekend and it’s the perfect opportunity to sort through some junk and throw/give away a lot that we just don’t use. I love the idea of taking a picture of it and then thinking through it away from the cluttered area…a little space from it could really help with objectivity!
Stephanie // http://www.absorbinggrace.com