The first step in a home organization project is to declutter and then find the best places to store things. Invest in multi-functional furniture to make your space more organized, such as nightstands and ottomans that double as storage. A filing cabinet on top of an ottoman can be used for important papers and files. Then, you can use these multi-functional pieces of furniture to store other things. Another home organization idea is to add multi-functional storage to the kitchen or pantry.
Organize your closet
Closet organization is easy when you follow some basic home organization ideas. Organize your closet seasonally. This gives you time to edit what goes in each season. You can also take a few minutes each month to organize your closet. This will allow you to make better decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
Color-code your clothes. This may seem tedious, but it makes picking out an outfit so much easier. Color-coding your clothes by color will help you navigate through your closet quickly. You can also subdivide your clothes by color. For example, if you have long dresses, you can hang them on the left side of the closet, and short ones on the right. You can also place high-use items close to the wall.
Identify your closet’s problem areas and label it appropriately. Once you know where your clothes belong, you can start organizing it properly. Whether you’re using a DIY system or buying a custom-made closet, you’ll want to start by measuring the space. Then, decide how to organize your closet.
Keeping shoes and accessories separate from clothing is a good idea. Remember the principle of prime real estate! Also, more often you organize your closet, the less time it takes to maintain it. Ideally, you should do a quick tidying once a month and a full reorganization twice a year.
Organize your pantry
A pantry can be a very cluttered place, so it’s important to organize it properly. This starts with clearing out the old, unused items. Next, assign storage containers for similar items and make a list of pantry staples. Update this list regularly to keep it current. Make sure to label everything, so family members know exactly where to find the ingredients they need. One of the best ways to do this is by using chalkboard labels.
Then, start sorting the items in your pantry. Throw out those that are expired and don’t need to be replaced. You can also donate them to the local food bank if you can’t eat them. Also, group foods by type. For example, group pastas, grains, and vegetables together. Also, group flour and baking soda together. This will cut down on searching. Finally, keep the pantry clean.
Another good tip to organize your pantry is to cut the expiration dates off of all the packaging. Then, you can tape them to the containers. If you use glass containers, you can use a dry erase marker to write them on the glass. This way, you can easily see them and know when they expire.
A well-organized pantry will make meal planning much easier. You’ll no longer have to rummage through the cardboard boxes for what you need. Additionally, a properly organized pantry makes grocery shopping easier. A good meal plan will save you money and time, so a well-stocked pantry can be a lifesaver.
Organize your kitchen
Adding a hidden trash compartment to a base cabinet will free up valuable storage space and de-clutter your kitchen. Recyclables and trash take up a lot of space in a small kitchen, and hiding them from view will keep them out of reach of kids and pets.
One popular method of kitchen organization is to create “zones” where similar items are kept together. For example, a zone near the dishwasher could be dedicated to storing glassware and other cleaning supplies. The zones can be arranged in any order you wish. For convenience, you can also place similar items near each other.
Once you have identified problem areas in your kitchen, you can start organizing. Start by identifying your cookware. If it’s tattered and outdated, you may want to invest in a new set. Also, consider donating some of your unusable items. Start by decluttering one cupboard, then work your way up to the rest of the kitchen.
Disposable items, such as cups, can be repurposed for decoration. Hanging racks can hold utensils and pans that aren’t in use. Similarly, you can separate the kitchen into separate compartments for spices, flatware, and cooking supplies. Then, make sure to keep dishes and larger appliances in the lower cabinets. If not, they can easily become a mess.
Organize your office
Organize your computer desktop with folders. Clear the desktop regularly, and keep your files and papers in their proper places. Similarly, organize your drawers with drawer organizers, which are great for keeping small items or personal items organized. Assign different drawers to each person in your office, especially if you work together. For instance, each person should keep files and folders separate for work and for personal use.
File cabinets with dividers are an excellent way to keep paperwork organized. You can also use bookcases to house binders. If your desk doesn’t have a filing cabinet, consider using desktop organizers to contain clutter. Desk casters make it easier to move your desk around.
Another way to organize your desk is to label each zone. Use post-it notes or index cards to label the different areas. By doing this, you’ll be able to use the room more efficiently. For example, you can designate a certain drawer to keep tools you need for a task. You can keep a ruler, pen, and calculator in this drawer. These will keep the tools close at hand and will be easier to access if you need them.
Open shelves are another great way to organize your office and style it. Designer Joanna Whittaker created an office that makes the most of the available wall space. Her white shelving makes the space look spacious while leaving enough room for a floor lamp. Baskets on top of the shelves keep the area looking chic. You can also use large baskets to keep messier work items organized. Decorative bookends can also help keep books in order.
Organize your paperwork
Organizing your paperwork may seem like a daunting task. But it is not impossible to achieve a system that will keep your files organized and simplify your life. First, gather all of your old paperwork. This will help you sort out the papers that you no longer need. Then, you can file those that are important into the correct folders.
One way to organize your paperwork is to file it in an appropriate filing cabinet or 12-tabbed file folder. To start, you may want to clear out your kitchen table of papers. You can also create stacks of similar-type documents. Some areas can be combined, such as bills, insurance documents, tax documents, and receipts. It is a good idea to create go-to files for each type of paperwork. Likewise, you can keep separate files for each person in your family and different areas of your life.
After sorting through all of the paperwork, you can start discarding the ones that you no longer need. The first thing to do is make a recycling pile. You can even shred those sensitive documents. If you don’t have a shredder, you can take them to the store that offers this service.
Another good way to organize paperwork is to scan documents, and store them on the cloud. You can also organize your files by color coding. For example, you can label the important files by color. This will help you easily find the right file. Set aside a regular time each week or month to organize your files. Make sure to keep your electronics organized as well.
Organize your kids’ stuff
To organize your child’s school supplies, put them near the places they do their homework. This will help them to put them away quickly once they’re done. Instead of keeping all the supplies in one place, keep them in separate storage containers or drawer dividers. You can also label each container to make finding items easier.
You can also organize their clothes by season. For example, keep the clothes from the current season. Donate out-of-season and unloved items. Keep clothing that has sentimental value. It can also make it easier for kids to help out. Use bins to keep clothing and other items, and label them with appropriate labels.
Your child’s room is also a great place to organize their things. For example, you can organize the bedroom by using the extra closet space for toys. You can even incorporate art into the room with a pegboard. Another great idea is to use an open shelving unit to store books and decorative objects.
Another good idea is to make organizing your child’s stuff a routine. Decluttering your kid’s stuff once or twice a week will help make it easier for both of you. Make it a routine and keep a calendar with reminders. Your child will appreciate a clear environment and a lighter load. Remember to choose tasks appropriate to their age. Older children can choose toys, while younger ones can choose books and clothing.
