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Maintaining an organized home is challenging for many, but studies show, having an organized home not only creates a positive living space but also enhances productivity and reduces stress.
We believe in the benefits of organization and simplicity which is why we put together 5 super easy steps to bring order to your home. If you're overwhelmed and your house is currently chaos, fear not! Let's walk through these steps!
1. Assess and Prioritize
Sit down with a pen and notepad (and maybe a cup of coffee or wine). Then write a list, begin by assessing each room and identifying areas that need organization. Don't overthink it, just put your thoughts on paper in front of you!
Write down the 5 Ws for each area to get to the heart of the issue:
- Who (tends to be the culprit of disorganization? - no this isn't a blame game, just an assessment)
- What (is usually disorganized and cluttered? Shoes, toys, clothes, paperwork etc.)
- Where (does disorganization tend to occur in my home?)
- Why (does this keep happening? Bad habit, poor home interior layout or too much stuff?)
- When (does this usually start getting disorganized)
Once you get a handle on the situation, you can probably start troubleshooting and answering some questions;
- Do I have too much stuff?
- Do I have bad habits?
- Do I not have the right storage resources?
- Is our interior layout not flowing well?
Once you've got some answers, prioritize where you'd like to start. Taking one room at a time helps manage the process effectively without feeling overwhelmed.
Pro Tip: Start with the most cluttered area for an immediate sense of accomplishment.
2. Declutter and Design
Now, with your plan on hand, it's time to get to work.
This is key: Clearing out unnecessary items is the foundation of organization.
Take a ruthless approach – if you haven't used it in the last year, consider letting it go.
Create three piles: keep, donate, and discard. Donate items in good condition to local charities, friends or family and recycle or dispose of the rest responsibly.
Pro Tip: Use the "KonMari" method – keep only items that "spark joy."
Now, once you've got the bulk of that completed, refer back to your assessment, did you find that there are bad habits or "systems" you've developed?
Next is to solve for that going into our next steps.
Example: Perhaps you find that your shoes are continually scattered throughout your house. See if you can design a habit or or invest in a storage solution that will make it easier to avoid this. More on this in step 4.
3. Invest in Storage Solutions
Once you've streamlined your belongings, invest in storage solutions that suit your space, style and needs.
Utilize shelves, baskets, and storage bins to keep items neatly organized. Clear containers (check out our digital download pantry labels!) are especially helpful for quick identification.
Think in terms of both short term daily storage of items and long term storage of possessions with lesser use.
Pro Tip: Opt for multifunctional furniture with hidden storage to maximize space.
4. Establish a System and Label!
Develop a consistent organization system for each room. Everything should have a designated place as it pertains to its use.
Label containers or shelves to make it easy for everyone in the household to maintain the order. Make this obvious to avoid the "where does this go?" question 5 times a day.
A clear system prevents clutter from creeping back in. When you see what your house could be when it's fully organized, that will provide extra incentive to maintain it!
Pro Tip: Categorize and sort items logically anything to their use to streamline the retrieval process.
5. Maintain with Daily Habits
Unfortunately, Organizing your home is never a one and done deal - it's an ongoing process, but the more consistent you are, the easier it will become.
So it's best to develop daily habits to maintain order.
- Spend a few minutes each day tidying up, returning items to their designated spots.
- Regularly revisit and tweak your organization system as needed to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Make it a part of your family routine
Pro Tip: Make it a family effort – and make it fun. Make a game out of it and incentivize consistency! Involve everyone in maintaining your newly organized home.
Going forward,
By following out 5 super easy steps, you'll not only declutter and organize your home but also create a harmonious living environment for your family.
The key is to approach organization as an ongoing process, making small adjustments as needed. With a well-organized home, you'll find that daily tasks become more manageable, you'll have a deeper sense of clarity with your living space transformed into a sanctuary of peace and productivity.
I hope you found these 5 super easy steps to be helpful. Subscribe and keep in touch, we'd love to hear how it goes!
Check out some of our other blog posts!