A Guide to Organizing Your Home This Year!
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, maintaining an organized home can be a game-changer. Not only does it create a serene and inviting atmosphere, but it also streamlines daily routines, reducing stress and increasing overall productivity. Being organized saves time & money too! Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you declutter and organize every corner of your living space.
1. Start with a Plan:
Begin by identifying the areas that need the most attention. Whether it’s the chaotic kitchen, overflowing closet, or cluttered home office, having a plan will help you stay focused and organized.
Action: Take one room at a time, I start with the bedrooms, then bathrooms, other living spaces, kitchen and finally the garage. Touch every area of your home once a year!
2. Declutter Mindfully:
Embrace the minimalist mindset by decluttering room by room. Ask yourself if each item brings you joy or serves a practical purpose.
Action: Donate or discard things that are no longer useful, creating space for what truly matters. Tax write-offs are almost always helpful! In your closet, turn your hangers around and as you wear items, turn the hanger back the right way on the rod. One year later, donate all the clothes that were not worn.
3. Storage Solutions:
Invest in versatile storage solutions to maximize space. Utilize bins, baskets, and shelving units to keep belongings organized and easily accessible. Consider multi-functional furniture, such as ottomans with hidden storage or beds with built-in drawers.
Action: You can organize on a budget. Dollar store offer plastic trays for the kitchen drawers, Bins to keep your bathrooms & linen closets organized, Costco and Sam’s club have great deals on larger bins for the garage or storage sheds. Label your bins, if they are enclosed with a lid.
4. Create Zones:
Designate specific zones for different activities. For example, create a cozy reading nook, a dedicated workspace, and an entertainment zone. This not only enhances functionality but also maintains a sense of order.
Action: This isn’t always easy, depending on the floor plan of our homes. However, everything does need a home, always put things where they go and then you will always know where everything is. Reading nooks are nice in your bedroom if space is limited, entertainment zone can be a simple charging station somewhere in the home for the entire family, maybe the laundry room.
5. Maintain a Routine:
Establish a daily or weekly cleaning routine to prevent clutter from accumulating. Small, consistent efforts can go a long way in maintaining an organized home. Set aside time each day to tidy up and put things back in their designated places.
Action: If you clean your home yourself, enlist everyone to help. Make a chore list for each child. If you have 3 children, divide household chores into three list A, B, and C. Make them as equal in workload as possible. Each week they rotate the lists. So, child #1 is list A every three weeks. Another idea if you have a smaller family and not much help is to clean one room per day in your home. These types of chores are best handled Monday-Thursday, so you can enjoy the weekends.
6. Digital Organization:
Extend your organizing efforts to the digital realm. Declutter your digital devices by organizing files, deleting unnecessary apps, and managing your email inbox. A streamlined digital environment contributes to a clearer mind.
Action: Stay current on email every 48 hours. Try to keep your inbox only full of what you have yet to handle. Otherwise make files and file all emails under the file you made for the category that is appropriate. Also, if you have an Alexa or Echo use her for the family shopping list, so you have it digitally when you stop at the store on your way home. Another great way for digital organization is to use the notes section on your cell phone instead of paper and pen.
7. Evaluate and Adjust:
Periodically reassess your organization systems. As lifestyles and needs evolve, so should your organization strategies. Be open to adjusting your approach to ensure a continuously organized and harmonious home.
Action: Do what works! If it doesn’t work, then keep working it until it does. Enlist the children, you are teaching them how to run their households one day. It’s a family affair to keep the family home in order!
By following these practical tips and incorporating them into your daily life, you’ll find that organizing your home is not just a one-time project but a continuous process that contributes to a more peaceful and enjoyable living space. Embrace the journey towards simplicity and harmony within the walls of your home.
Happy New Year, from our organized homes to yours!
Tags: Tips, Homeowner Tips, Organization
