Home Organizing Tips

There are really two types of people in the world – those who were born to organize and those who just create more clutter. And then most of us fall in that middle gray area. Some things get organized at times, but there is no system to keep it that way.

Some basic organizing tips will be able to get things organized in your life and keep it that way. Each one of these tips will help you find a little more peace of mind when you don’t have to search and search for things. Looking for misplaced items takes a great chunk of time and energy.

It is a small investment on your part and a small effort to get your life running in a more efficient manner. Everyone has a certain amount of clutter and to reduce this will de-stress your life immensely. Here are some organizing tips that you can begin to use in your life.

Try one at a time, and when you do, you’ll begin to notice a delightful change.

Day Planner

First and foremost, purchase a day planner and begin to use it. Mark everything from appointments, to timing of schools and extra-curricular activities, when your payday is, simply everything because then you are able to look at a single day or a week and “see” where you need to be, so there are no surprises.

Begin to make small lists – things that must get done on a particular day. Round up frequently used numbers and enter them here so they are all in one place. Take an hour to set this up, and then you’ll have everything organized!

Organizing Paperwork at Home

Don’t be afraid of hooks, hangers of any sort, baskets, 1 foot x 1 foot crates, plastic boxes for storage; these are your friends and inexpensive and they keep like items together.

Think in five easy categories when going through the papers on your table, the mail, and any papers that may be sitting in a drawer that you are attempting to de-clutter. Ninety-nine percent of all papers will fall into these classifications. If you get an organizer or file folder for this task, it will be a perfect place to keep these papers. Just visit the local office store.

• Take Action
• Read
• Trash
• Hold 30 Days
• To File

If you don’t need a full file cabinet, try the small file box which holds hanging files. They are available in a rainbow of colors for the files, and you can label each one. They easily store on the floor in a closet.

Home Storage and Organization

• Place a basket, metal or wicker, near the front door for your keys and sunglasses; then keep them there.
• Clean out your car, because that always makes us feel better, and if you feel better you’ll keep up with the organizing.
• Use 1x1 foot crates for anything! They are perfect for kids’ toys, shoes, magazines, cleaning supplies and keep like items together, which is essential to organizing. They are stackable and you can easily see what’s inside. These are a must have for a busy family.
• Hooks are in and handy. Both for kids and adults alike; add hooks to quickly hang up coats, jackets or bags.
• The 2 year rule lives. If you haven’t worn something or used something, aside from more essential and traditional things – it has to go. Either toss it out or give it to charity. De-clutter!
• There are five classifications when organizing closets and rooms. They will work well for you.

Organizing Closets

Five categories for organizing closets:

• Trash
• 2 year rule – give away
• Dirty and needs washing
• Things that belong somewhere else
• Goes back inside.

If you have a basket, or a box, or a shelf designated for like items, you will know where to find them. If you prefer, set up a rack in a closet, or in a cabinet. It will only take a short time and the benefits will be great.

Don’t get overwhelmed with all these tips. Start with one and really incorporate it into your life. It will become a habit and then you can try another. Good Luck!