Getting organized and maintaining your space can be overwhelming at first. Here are the best organization tips you can start using today that will make a world of a difference!
If we're being honest, I'm sure all of us have struggled to keep certain areas of our homes or lives organized consistently. I know I'm personally guilty of this no matter how hard I try. There's always that one coat closet or junk drawer that gets crazy over time. Thankfully there are a ton of extremely helpful tips, tricks, hacks, and more that can make staying organized easier than ever.
Even though I am generally an organized person, I am constantly learning new things that I get so excited to share. I've also tried some things that have flopped haha.
Here are my 11 best organization tips that I will always recommend. Some of these you may have heard of before and some you may not have considered trying in your home. All of these suggestions are geared to keep your home free of clutter and as organized as possible! And trust me, these are things you can start trying today.
This post is all about organization tips!
Best Organization Tips
1. Edit Your Items
When it comes to clutter, it is extremely easy to get overwhelmed. This tip is number one because you will utilize it in any and every space you are organizing. Before you can determine how you are going to contain or organize your items, you have to go through each one individually.
In this step you are going to pull every single thing out of the area you are going to organize. And I mean completely empty the area. From here you are going to determine what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away.
Be sure not to hold onto anything you no longer need! This is the easiest way for clutter to accumulate. It is much easier to organize your space when you are only working with essentials and items you use regularly.
Obviously, we want to prioritize sustainability so I always recommend donating what you can. However, if it's not something you can donate don't be afraid to toss it.
2. Contain Your Items
I know this step seems obvious but hear me out. If there's one thing you take away from this post it should be that baskets and bins are your best friend when it comes to organization. When you think of an ideal linen closet, pantry, basement or garage, I'm sure there are baskets and bins within the space to contain the loose items.
In step one you have emptied the space and determined what you are keeping. Now you can see what dimensions you are working with and purchase products that will hold the items you are keeping.
Containing your organized items will make it easier for you to find things and will help keep you from overcrowding the space.
3. Utilize Your Space
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when setting up their space is not taking advantage of vertical space. When you think of vanities, cupboards, closets, etc., there is limited surface area. However, if you add shelves, stackable bins, etc., you can easily double or triple your space.
Even if you aren't buying products to organize the area, consider stacking items instead of placing items side by side. You will be shocked about what you can fit in small spaces when you use the space wisely.
4. Tackle the Common Clutter Areas
We all have them. Junk drawers, utensil drawers, Tupperware drawers, spice cabinets, etc. We all have areas that never seem to stay organized no matter what we do. Although these spaces will still need to be maintained regularly, there are products that can assist.
For the junk drawer, small plastic organizers will be your best friend. Utensil drawer organizers are common but there are superior ones out there. Anything that assists with Tupperware lids will be your best friend.
Any area in your home where you regularly toss miscellaneous items can benefit from simple products that will last you a lifetime and will make a world of a difference.
5. Keep it Simple
When it comes to organization tips, this is extremely important. Often when we get in organization mode, we try to tackle too much at one time. And by all means, if you have the energy, tackle as much as you can. However, if you find yourself getting overwhelmed, remember to take a step back. If you're starting from scratch, make a list! Write out all of the areas you want to tackle and work on one at a time.
My favorite tip of all time is to set a timer. This is a game changer when you don't know where to start. Pick one spot, a timeframe that works for you, and see what you can accomplish in that time. You will be shocked at how much you can accomplish in even just a half hour.
6. Label, Label, Label
If you are going to utilize bins and baskets in your space, labels will make a world of a difference. Getting organized is just the first step but the most important step is maintaining. This will make the biggest difference overall.
In order to keep a space maintained, you need to know where things are and where they go. I personally think labels are aesthetically pleasing and extremely functional. You can easily order options on Amazon or Etsy. However, if you are a crafty person there are a number of easy ways to do them yourself!
7. Find Everything a Home
Obviously, everyone's space is different. However, the important thing to remember is that you can get creative with any space. When items don't have a home, your space is going to feel cluttered no matter what. If you are tackling your entire home, mapping zones out is a great way to find spots for everything.
If you are tackling a smaller space, you can do this in the editing step. Look at what you have and categorize similar items. Have one home for all of your cleaning products. Have one home for all of your beauty products. When similar items are scattered throughout your home it will easily feel unorganized and chaotic.
This is another way baskets will be your best friend. Having all of your throw blankets in one spot will feel a lot different than having them in three different spots in your home.
8. Get Creative With Unused Space
Most of us have areas in our homes that are not utilized. This could be space above your fridge, under your bed, vertical space, etc. If you don't have the luxury of a large basement, garage, or attic, take a look around your home and see if there is space that you can get creative with.
It's important to remember that although we may want everything tucked away or behind a door, our space may not allow that. There are ways to utilize space in an aesthetically pleasing way that will give you more space than you started with.
9. Let It Go
I find it is super common for people to struggle when it comes to getting rid of items you no longer need. We can all be sympathetic to the fact that we either purchased or received these items at one point. And although we don't want to be wasteful, we also need to be comfortable in our space.
If you're reading this I think it is safe to assume you are ready to tackle your clutter. In order to sort through your items to determine what you are keeping and what you are going to donate or toss, you need to be in the right mindset. Remember why you started!
We all want to go into our closets, drawers, etc., and only be confronted with items we actually use or want. Don't be shy when it comes to letting items go. Most things are replaceable if necessary and you will really notice what items you miss and what you don't!
10. Make It Fun
Getting organized can be a dreaded task. And trust me, even though I love to have things organized I don't always love the process. There are usually a few things I do that help make the process more enjoyable.
- Play your favorite music - this one is simple but music makes everything better. Throw on your favorite playlist and jam out while you organize. You can even use this as your timer. Once the playlist is over, you're done for the day!
- Listen to a motivational podcast - if you are struggling to get started, put on a podcast that will motivate you, give you tips along the way, or remind you why you started the project. I promise it will help!
- Take before and after pictures - if you are someone that enjoys satisfying things, take a picture of your space before, and one after the project is complete. You will quickly be reminded about how far you come and this will motivate you to tackle the next project!
11. Organize Your Storage Spaces
As we are organizing our main living areas, things that we don't need readily available at all times tend to make it to the basement, garage, or attic. These spaces quickly get cluttered and disorganized. There are a number of helpful storage organization tips out there but I like to keep it simple.
Shelving units and bins will help keep these spaces organized so you know where your items are when you need them. Also, remember to keep some space open if you can. This way, when you have items that need to be stored you have space available. Having more than you can store is one of the quickest ways to a cluttered home.
So there you have it! These are the top 11 organization tips I have for decluttering and organizing your space. I utilize these tips in my everyday life and especially when I am tackling a bigger project. These small tactics will make a world of a difference in your organization game, trust me!
Overall, remember to only keep items you need, get creative with your space, keep it simple and try to find the joy in the process! You will be so glad that you took these projects on. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, remember why you started! The end result will be so worth it.
This post is all about organization tips!
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