Charlotte Hilton Andersen
You may think you own your stuff—but it actually owns you. Using these simple pro organizing ideas will help you take back control!
The best organizing ideas
For many, organizing is something that gets put off for months. Figuring out the best pantry organization ideas, kitchen organization ideas, and best closet organizers to keep all of your storage spaces tidy can seem like a headache, but if you stay organized from the start and follow these tips, home organization might not be such a daunting task. Learning how to organize from the start might be a lifestyle change, but in the end, it’s worth it. Read on to learn the best organizing tips from the pros.
Before you can get clutter out, you have stop it from coming in
“The first step to winning the battle against clutter is to control what comes into your home. Unsubscribe from junk mail and catalogs you do not read. Stop shopping in bulk and buying non-necessities. Once the incoming flow of stuff and papers slows down or stops, you can focus on decluttering and organizing what you have.” —Joanna Monahan, chief of external communications for Major Organizers.
Channel Alice in Wonderland with an “Eat Me First!” fridge bin
“Most households generate a lot of food waste, but you can cut it down just by having a dedicated—and labeled!—place in the fridge for leftovers and food that needs to be eaten quickly. This way the food actually gets eaten and you will be aware of what you have to buy soon.” —Lauren Haynes, expert in home organizing and maintenance at Star Domestic Cleaners.
Keep your “ice” on ice
“Ice cube trays placed inside a drawer can really help you store and organize all kinds of little things that can easily get lost. They’re perfect for small pieces of jewelry, paper clips, or craft supplies.” —Lauren Haynes.
See shapes, not things
“If you have groups of items that are shaped similarly (i.e. shoes in the bedroom or martini glasses in the kitchen), look at how to fit the shapes together instead of fitting the items. For example, if you are using shoe cubbies, put the shoes toe to heel instead of side by side. This way you can fit a pair of high heels in one cubby instead of two. You’ll be surprised how much more you can fit in a space when you look at shapes.” —Schae Lewis and Bahar Partow, co-founders of Mission 2 Organize LLC.
Forget the Pinterest projects
“Being organized doesn’t have to be about being super creative or crafty like you often see online. For instance, you have probably seen the ‘trick’ to get 20 mason jars and glue the tops to the underside of a shelf, making cute storage for small items. But that’s a lot of work! And for what? Is that really making your life easier? I always tell my clients to look for the easiest solution to your organizing problems, not the most creative.” —Alissa Dorfman, personal organizer and owner of Alissa Dorfman Home Organizing.
Hook a kid up
“When you have kids, always use hooks for their daily use items like coats and backpacks, rather than using hangers. Many kids lack the motor skills to get a coat on a hanger. Make sure the hooks are low to the ground so that the kids can reach them.” —Stacy Erickson Edwards, professional organizer with Home Key Organization
No more quarters behind the washer
“Keep a clear glass jar in your laundry room for holding items found in pockets like coins, receipts, or lipstick instead of leaving them loose (and lost!) on top of your washer.” —Nina Ward
Play the matching game
“Start small, with one room or even just one drawer. Then empty everything out of the space and sort it into categories, grouping like items together. Once you see how much of each type of thing that you have, it will be easier to get rid of duplicates.” —Joanna Monahan
Your stuff should support your life goals, not the other way around
“You need to clarify what is really important to you. Then organize the stuff that supports who you want to be and what you want to do before you’re dead and gone.” —Evan Zislis
Your refrigerator is your biggest cupboard
“The refrigerator is one of the most frequently used ‘cupboards’ in the home, yet it is often forgotten when it comes to getting organized. Eliminate ‘lost’ food in the back by placing a lazy Susan at the rear of shelves to make rear spaces more functional and the items stored there, such as condiments, more accessible and usable. In addition, store food in clear glass standardized storage containers. When you can see the food, you are more likely to eat it.” —Debra Baida, owner of Liberated Spaces in San Francisco
Make storage fun
“For long-term results, design spaces with style and vibrancy, flexibility, and function. This will give you the inspiration you’ll need to maintain your newly organized systems. In other words, make it fun and pretty!” —Evan Zislis.
Start organizing your kitchen with the pantry
“How many times have you gone to the store and wondered if you had pasta at home in your pantry? You’re not sure, so you buy another box, only to get home and find you have 20 already. To avoid this dilemma, pull everything out of your pantry and trash it if it’s expired. Donate unopened items you don’t like to a food bank. Then put your stuff back in but label your shelves with a name under each item. Only put foods on their designated shelf and you will never have to wonder how much pasta you really have.” —Alissa Dorfman.
Start organizing your bedroom with the dresser
“If you have an overflowing drawer, consider expanding it to two drawers, until every drawer can close. Next, narrow down how many types of things are in the same drawer. Only bras and underwear should have to share space. Lastly, move out-of-season or excess items into under-bed storage. —Alissa Dorfman
Hang everything
“Consider hanging almost all of your clothes. (You can use a double hanger to increase hanging space.) This helps you see everything you have so you know exactly what’s there and what you need. Drawers should be reserved for socks and underwear only.” —Kelly McMenamin and Katie McMenamin.
Note how your taste changes
“Just because you loved something once doesn’t mean you still have to love it ten years later. Times change, people change, and trends change, and there’s nothing wrong with letting things go that no longer make you happy.” —Jeffrey Welder
Keep baggies handy
“If you have a pantry, tack things like boxes of zip-top bags, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap to the wall. Simply open the flap to the box and use a push pin to attach to the wall. It frees up shelf or drawer space and makes grabbing those baggies much easier.” —Christina Del Famma, personal assistant and professional organizer for LifeSquire
Contain your container lids
“Tired of searching for the lid to your plastic containers? Attach a cooling rack to the top of a basket or bin, then simply put plastic lids in the slots. It keeps them upright and separated. This also works for organizing other flat items like note cards, envelopes, and stamps.” —Christina Del Famma
