Between running errands, making space for holiday decorations and walking the dog your home may feel like a zoo sometimes. Hopefully, it shouldn’t look like one! Keeping on top of all the clutter from day to day life is a challenge for any household; add kids to the mix and you’re looking at a real challenge. Read more to learn our top six tips for tidying up different areas of your home that are notorious for collecting clutter like your closet, the playroom, bathrooms and more. By tackling the problem head-on, instead of burying your head in the sand, your efforts will pay off in the long run...we promise!
Create an Inbox
You have an inbox in your email and on your phone, so why shouldn’t your home have one as well? Junk drawers in your home too often become filled with just that - junk. Keep a good-sized box with a lid in a common area of your home (like the kitchen or perhaps in a hallway) and keep any receipts, bills or other important paperwork in that box. Don’t forget to go through the box once a week to properly store and organize any paperwork. If people are coming by, just pop the lid on the box and store in a drawer until it’s time for the party to end.
Pantry Goals
Take a cue from the supermarket and organize your pantry like they do. These food closets can quickly become filled with half-eaten boxes of cereal or out of date canned goods, so be sure to have a good clean out before you begin organizing. Place the newest boxes behind any old ones to make sure that older food gets eaten first. It’s also easier to see what you have and what needs to be restocked soonest by taking any dry goods (dry pasta, nuts, flour or beans) you have out of their packaging and into labeled clear containers.
Fridge and Freezer
Another spot in your home that usually could use a tidy up is the fridge and/or freezer. The key to getting your fridge or freezer organized is to have clear, stackable storage containers. You can even order containers to be customizable in size to perfectly fit certain items you always have in your fridge (think milk, soda or condiments), or you can designate certain containers for different meals or days of the week.
Cabinet Magic
Did you know your cabinets can do more than just store plates and utensils? Turn the back of one of your cabinets into a makeshift chalkboard and use it write down things you need. You can also add an adhesive pocket to keep all your coupons in one spot as well. Another good idea is to tap the WiFi password in large letters to the inside of your cabinet in case guests come over and need to use your connection.
Color Coding
A great tip to keep a household organized (especially if you have kids) is to assign a color to every member of your home - and then follow that theme. So one person always has a blue toothbrush, towel, laundry basket, etc. This not only makes it easier for everyone to locate their own items, but it also makes it very obvious who needs to put their things away. Start small in the bathroom (toothbrushes and combs) and gradually start incorporating throughout the home.
Linen Closet
Your linen closet may be one of those spaces you actively avoid in your home purely because you dread the thought of organizing it. Having loads of linen and towels for visitors is always handy but it can quickly overwhelm and clutter up your closet space. Instead of storing linens or towels in baskets it’s best to place them directly on the shelves so you can see what you have. Also, use shelf dividers to keep everything from toppling over. Pro tip: store sheet sets in their accompanying pillowcase to keep everything together so you do not mix and match bed linen.
Decluttering your home can not only help keep your home organized, but it can also be beneficial for your mental health as well. Knowing where everything is can relieve a lot of stress many households feel when they’re trying to get out the door. The biggest thing to remember is to not get overwhelmed. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a tidy house. Tackle organization in your home room-by-room and soon you’ll have a home that looks great and works for you and your household.
