Organization is the key to success. It’s not just about being neat and tidy, it’s about being able to find what you need when you need it. That means that if you are organized, then your time will be well spent on things that actually matter.

Organizing can also save money because disorder often leads to buying more supplies than necessary or spending too much time looking for something only to have forgotten where it was in the first place.

Organizing does not have to be such a daunting task. If you follow some simple tips, it can easily turn into an activity that’s more enjoyable than stressful.

Here are some tips for getting started and staying organized!

Work on one room or space at a time

Baby steps are critical to avoiding overwhelm. Begin by making a list of all the rooms or spaces you want to organize. Get specific in your list! If you want to organize your nightstand drawer, write that down rather than assuming it is included in “bedroom organization”.

Once you have a list of all rooms and/or spaces on paper, start prioritizing by assigning a number to each room/space. You can physically only be in one place at a time, so don’t set yourself up for failure by assuming you will accomplish everything at once.

Tip: Try starting with your bathroom, junk drawer, or pantry. Organization of these spaces is often easier as they don’t require you to make huge decisions.

Begin with the room or space that you have indicated with the highest priority. Do not move to another room until you are complete.

Invest in drawer organizers or dividers.

Drawer organizers allow you to create smaller spaces within your drawers and keep your drawers neat and organized. You can easily turn one drawer into a clean space to house multiple items as it creates interior walls or dividers.

When you consciously choose to assign a space to each section, it becomes easier to keep that section organized. Your “fitness drawer” no longer becomes a catch-all of workout shirts, shorts, socks, bras, etc… Rather each category of clothes has its own home.

When you are inevitably tempted to toss something else in that drawer, you have built-in a speed bump (and hopefully detractor) as you have to consciously decide then which section the item belongs to.

Hopefully, if you discern that the item doesn’t belong after all and you find a new (proper) home for it.

Label storage containers (especially ones you can’t see in)

After going through your organization efforts, don’t forget to label containers so you know in the future what’s in them.

Your labeling does not have to be limited to storage bins you tuck away either. You can use labels in your pantry, in your fridge, in your closets, etc… Labeling can be an easy way to take any thought out of the equation.

When you are not sure where something belongs, labels are a built-in, in-your-face, instruction manual so your organization lasts.

Labeling can be as simple as writing the contents of a storage bin on the top in permanent marker or can be more formal by using a fun label machine or cutting machine. You can even purchase custom labels from a designer (check out Etsy for some of my favorites).

Use over-the-door organizers to increase storage space

Create additional storage space by using an over the door organizer. Use it behind your closet door for shoes or accessories, in your pantry for snacks, or behind seats in the car for car essentials.

Bonus tip: You can also use an over the door organizer to pack for a trip. Check out this article to learn more.

Set up a schedule for cleaning

In order to have an organized house, you need to have a clean house. By setting up a schedule for cleaning, you divide your list of things you need to clean into different days or weeks to reduce the overwhelm. You can set certain days of the week or the month to clean specific rooms or areas.

Store extra sheets inside the matching pillowcase.

Not only is it a space-saver, but you won’t have to frantically search for the other sheet when you’re in the middle of changing your bed.

Organize by color

Especially in your closet, organizing by color makes it so much easier to find an outfit when you’re extremely indecisive. If you want to get even more organized, coordinate by style (long sleeves, short sleeves, etc.) as well as color.

Clean up that junk drawer

We all have that one drawer called the “junk drawer.” But just because of the name does not mean it has to be filled with junk. Clean that drawer out often!

If you don’t have them, purchase plastic drawer organizers. They will keep your junk drawer organized and make it look like you actually put in some effort when we all know is in there in the first place.

Use pool noodles to keep boots from falling over and bending.

A great way to organize your boots is by using pool noodles. Just cut the noodles in half and place them in the boots’ heel. This will help them to stand upright and keep their shape.

Start file folding.

One great way to organize your clothes is by using the file folding method. This method is perfect for sweaters, t-shirts, and other items that need to be folded in a specific way. To start, fold the item in half lengthwise and then fold it in half again. Now, start at one end and fold the fabric up like you would a piece of paper. Make sure to keep the folds neat and even as you go.

Use space-saving hangers or double up on hangers by using can tabs.

If you are using a lot of hangers, you can save space by using space-saving hangers or by doubling up on hangers. To double up on hangers, you can use either two standard hangers or two space-saving hangers. If you are using two standard hangers, you will need to clip the hangers together. You can easily do so using a can tab from a soda or seltzer can. To do so, simply remove a can tab from the top of a soda or seltzer can. Slide one hanger through one of the holes of the can tab and slide all the way to the bottom of the hanger. Slide another hanger through the other hole in the can tab. This allows you to “stack” your hangers vertically and takes up less space in your closet.

Hang a mesh bag up in the tub for bath toys.

Keep your child’s bath toys organized by hanging them in a mesh bag in the tub. Simply hang the bag on the edge of the tub so the toys can stay organized while they’re not being played with. This also allows the toys to dry a bit and prevents mold from developing as quickly.

Use lazy Susans to keep your condiments organized in your refrigerator.

If you’re looking for a way to organize your condiments, a lazy Susan is definitely the way to go. Not only does it keep everything accessible, but it also prevents things from becoming cluttered. Plus, they are easy to clean!

Keep your cords organized.

Excess cords can easily create a cluttered, disorganized look. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your cords organized and looking nice.

You can purchase a cord organizer or make your own using bread clips, zip ties, or even hair ties.

Use a garment bag to store rolls of wrapping paper and hang them in a closet.

Keep your wrapping paper organized by storing it in a garment bag. This will keep it organized and easy to find when you need it.

There are many ways to keep your home organized and make your life easier. It can be overwhelming at first, but if you take it one step at a time, organizing will become second nature. With the tips we have provided in this article, hopefully, you now feel more confident about how to organize just about every room of your house!

Happy organizing!

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