Organizing an entire home can feel really intimidating. It’s easy to look at all of the spaces, both big and small, that need to be cleaned and put back together, and feel too overwhelmed to do much of anything. To make things feel a bit more manageable, start by stocking up on the right home organization tools.
The perfect pieces will help you make the most of your space, give everything a home, and look aesthetically pleasing as well. You should aim to pick out versatile options, like baskets that could easily be used in the kitchen pantry or the bathroom cabinets. Try to keep things pretty uniform and basic as well. You certainly don’t need every product to match, but it’s nice to have a cohesive look, especially in one area.
Picking out the right organization tools is just the beginning---once you have them, you have to actually get the work done, which can feel stressful enough that you end up stopping right in the middle. Kate Pawlowski, co-founder of Done & Done Home, recommends warding off that overwhelmed feeling by working slowly instead of expecting everything to get done in one weekend. “Set a timer, pick one small space, and take it slow,” she says. “Your house didn’t descend into chaos in one day and it can’t be remedied in a day. But small, consistent steps will make a huge difference in lowering your stress levels, and once you see how much better life can be without constant clutter, you’ll be inspired to do more.”
How To Keep Your Home Organized
The initial organization is just the beginning: Once everything has a home, it’s your responsibility to keep things in their place. Pawlowski says that one of her best tips is to cut down on purchases to keep clutter in check. She calls it “the one in, one out rule” and explains, “For every new item that you purchase, one similar item has to go. This allows you to make good decisions when you have the urge to impulse buy.” In other words, if you want to buy a new dress, think about which piece of clothing you’d be willing to sacrifice for that dress.
Pawlowski also says to deal with things quickly rather than putting them off for later. She recommends keeping an eye on the things that come in your front door every day, like school work and grocery bags. “The longer something sits, the more likely it is to become clutter,” she says. Deal with the clutter the moment you notice it instead of allowing it to collect into more things that then take forever to clean.
Lastly, Pawlowski says to “keep like with like.” In other words, store similar things together so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for, like keeping all of your workout leggings in the same drawer instead of some in your closet and some in a drawer, or storing all of your snacks in the pantry in the same spot.
The Best Home Organizational Tools
Pawlowski strongly recommends opting for environmentally friendly organizational tools whenever possible, like items made of materials like bamboo or metal, or something recyclable. “There are absolutely times when a clear plastic bin is going to be the best choice for a specific area, but when we can optimize a more eco-friendly product, we always go for green,” she says.
To get you started, here are the five best home organization tools, according to Pawlowski.
Best For The Pantry/Snack Drawer
Best For Your Closet:
Best For The Kitchen:
Best For The Bathroom:
Best For The Attic/Basement:
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