A well-organized home can enhance productivity for you and your family and loved ones, reduce stress, and create a more pleasant living environment. Incorporating effective organizing habits into your daily routine can transform your space and make it easier to maintain.
At Ideal Organizing + Design, we’ve been creating organized spaces for 15 years! To celebrate, we’re sharing with you our…Top 15 Organizing Habits to Start Right Now:
1. Create a Daily Tidy-up Schedule
Spend 15 minutes each day tidying up. The daily tidy-up can be the key to organization because it prevents things from getting out of control. Consistent, manageable efforts can keep your home in good shape. This practice includes clearing items from the coffee table that don’t belong, picking up clothing and putting it in its correct place, and refreshing towels.
2. Use Appealing Containers with Labels
Invest in storage containers and label them clearly. This system ensures that everything has a designated place, everyone can find and put away what they need in the correct place quickly. Examples: having a bin for cords means they won’t be tucked into various drawers and cabinets all around the home.
3. Adopt the Five-Minute Rule
Whenever you see something out of place, take five minutes to put it back. This simple habit can prevent small messes from becoming overwhelming.
4. Declutter Regularly
Start by regularly assessing your belongings and decluttering. Go through your items monthly and donate, recycle, or dispose of anything you no longer need or use. A clutter-free space is the foundation of an organized home. Examples of items that should be regularly purged from your home: excess plastic storage containers, odd socks, warranties for items no longer owned.
5. Implement the One-In, One-Out Rule
For every new item you bring into your home, commit to removing one. This rule helps prevent clutter from accumulating or worse, an over-packed home, and encourages mindful purchasing decisions. Example: if you purchase a new long-sleeve top, ask yourself which one in your closet will you no longer need to or want to wear.
6. Designate a Donation Box
Keep a box or bin in a convenient location for items you decide to donate. Once it’s full, take it to your local donation center. This keeps the decluttering process ongoing and easy.
7. Implement a “Drop Zone”
Establish a spot near the entrance of your home for keys, bags, seasonal coats, and shoes. Use hooks, cubbies, or racks. This habit prevents clutter from spreading throughout the house and makes it easier to grab essentials on your way out.
8. Sort Mail Immediately
Designate a specific spot for incoming mail and sort through it daily. Discard junk mail, remove envelopes, file important documents or place in a to-be-filed box, and address actionable items immediately to avoid paper clutter.
9. Organize Digital Files
Don’t neglect your digital space. Regularly sort and backup files, delete unnecessary documents, and organize important files into clearly labeled folders. A clutter-free digital environment can enhance productivity and reduce stress.
10. Create a Command Center
Set up a central area for managing household tasks, such as a bulletin board or a digital planner with cloud file folders for scanned documents. Include calendars, a to-do bin and list, and a place for important documents to keep your household running smoothly.
11. Organize by Category
Group similar items together in every area of your home. For instance, keep all kitchen utensils in one drawer, group all the main cleaning supplies in one cabinet, and store all office supplies together. This makes finding and returning items more intuitive.
12. Maximize Vertical Space
Make use of vertical storage solutions like shelves, hooks, and hanging organizers. This not only saves floor space but also keeps items accessible and organized.
13. Rotate Seasonal Items
Store out-of-season clothes and decorations in labeled bins or vacuum-sealed bags. Rotate these items seasonally to free up space and keep your closets organized.
14. Use Clear Storage Bins
Opt for clear storage bins to make it easy to see the contents without having to open each one. This is especially useful for items stored in attics, basements, or closets.
15. Establish Routines for High-Traffic Areas
High-traffic areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room can quickly become disorganized as items accumulate. Establish daily or weekly routines to tidy these spaces. For example, make it a habit to clear the kitchen counters every night and tidy the living room before bed.
By incorporating these 15 home organizing habits into your routine, you can create a more orderly and efficient living space. Start with a few habits at a time, gradually adding more as you become comfortable. With consistency and dedication, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a well-organized home.
IOD is a devoted team of talented experts with decades of experience improving clients’ productivity and helping them love their spaces and lifestyles again. Read our team members’ stories of how they became among the industry’s most dedicated Professional Organizers.
Send the IOD team a quick message, ask an organizing or productivity question, or get a complimentary phone consultation by contacting us here!
