Top Tips and Tricks for Stress-Free Home Organizing
Organizing an entire home yourself can be daunting, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Many people bite off more than they can chew and become overwhelmed by the process. Below, we’ve gathered tips on how to avoid the most common home organizing mistakes.
Make a Plan
Take stock of your home and decide what needs organizing. Is it the whole house? Basement? Or just a room or two? Once you’ve determined the scale of your project, you can prioritize the areas that need it the most.
Start Small
As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Taking on too much at once will only cause more stress and overwhelm you. Once you’ve determined which area or room you will start in, break that area down into sections. For example, in the bedroom, start with one dresser or a section of your closet. In your kitchen, start with the upper cupboards or pantry.
Stay Focused and Keep it Short
Organize one space at a time and finish before moving on. It can be easy to get distracted and start another area before finishing the previous one. Stick to your plan and enjoy the little rewards as you go! To avoid burnout, keep your sessions short (1-3 hours at a time).
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
One of the most important steps that often gets overlooked is decluttering. Before you can start organizing, you need to declutter. Toss out anything that is broken, ripped, or otherwise damaged. Donate or sell duplicate items or items that no longer serve you. If you’ve been hanging on to something for more than a year and haven’t used it or even looked at it, consider why you still have it.
Like With Like
Group similar items together, as this will give you an idea of the storage solution you may need. It will also help you pare down even further if you discover you have more duplicates.
Measure
Get appropriate organizing containers/tools that will fit your space and your items. You may have an idea of what you want your finished space to look like, so you rush out and buy baskets, containers, and bins, only to find they either don’t fit your space or your items.
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
It is easy to see beautiful images on social media and want the same, but remember, your space doesn’t need to be identical to everyone else’s. Creating a functional space that works for you and your home will be more beneficial than trying to duplicate someone else’s. Take tips and tricks and make it your own. It will be easier to upkeep, and when it’s functional, it will also be beautiful.
Purge As You Go
Remove garbage, recycling and donation items as you go. Avoid stacking the discarded items into a corner, letting them accumulate. Remove garbage and recycling at the end of each decluttering session, and depending on the schedule you’re following, remove donations at least weekly or even twice weekly.
Keep It Up
Get other members of the household involved. Have everyone in the family help with the process and ensure they know to put things back where they belong. Follow the one-in-one-out rule. Stay on top of your organization by removing a similar item when you bring home a new one. This works well for clothes, children’s toys, bedding, and home decor items.
We hope these tips help you along your organizing journey and always remember that you’re not alone. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed at the thought of tackling your home or just need a few pointers, we are here to help. Contact us today for your free phone consultation and let us bring harmony to your home!
