Do you feel like certain spots in your home are clutter magnets? Like no matter how much you tidy up, it’s always a mess. Maybe it’s the mountain of shoes by the door or that pile of papers on your kitchen countertop. The good news is, it’s not just you. The even better news is you can turn those catch all areas into organized and functional spaces. No, you don’t have to throw everything away. You just need a system that works. And we are going to show you how to do that!
Hot Spots
The first step to taming the madness is to identify the hot spots in your home. Take a stroll through your spaces and focus on the areas where everything that comes in seems to land. This step shouldn’t be too hard. They are likely the spots that cause you frustration and overwhelm every single time you look at them. Take note of the types of items that are consistently showing up in these areas too.
Categorize the Mess
Sort through and create categories for the items that are in these hot spots. Look for patterns or similarities. Dumping grounds usually catch the same types of things over and over like mail, school papers, keys and clothing. Of course you will always have those random items as well. Creating categories to see what belongs and what needs to go will help as you begin to create a system to get and keep these areas organized.
A Home for Everything
One of the biggest contributors to clutter in your spaces are those homeless items. If you have a place and system for everything, it makes the task of staying organized and tidy so much easier. In this step, you will take a look at the type of items that tend to land in your catch all zones and create a system that matches those habits. Why? Because if you create systems built around the way you and your family normally live and function in your home, it will be much easier to stay organized.
- If mail, papers and receipts tend to stay piled up on your kitchen counter, place a paper sorter in that spot.
- Is your entryway table scattered with keys and sunglasses? Add a hook system on the wall and a labeled tray on the table.
- Do you have a chair in your bedroom covered in “not quite dirty” clothing? Add a door hanger for these items.
- Does your pantry seem to stay in a constant state of disarray? Add a few labeled baskets for your main items.
- Are you beauty products scattered across your bathroom counter? Use drawer organizers to keep everything contained.
Maintain the Magic
Here’s the thing about our homes. We live in them, everyday. Getting organized feels great! Staying organized takes a little work. Setting aside time for a quick reset to prevent the clutter from creeping back in is the best way to maintain your organized systems. Ceate family habits that work with your needs. Do you spend a lot of time in your car? Create a car unload routine where everything comes in every day. Pick a day of the week to clean out your mail and paper sorter. Do a 10 minute reset before everyone goes to bed at the end of each day. Put all shoes, bookbags, jackets and other random daily items back where they go. Get the whole family involved and make it a fun game. Regular tidy up sessions keeps daily clutter under control. And you get to enjoy living in a calm, functional home!
If you need a hand creating lasting organized system in your home, we’re here to help!
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.