6 Easy Home Organization Tips

July 19, 2010

Everyone wants a well organized home, but many of us fall short of the mark. Between work, childcare, errands, and everyday life, who has time to file paperwork or de-clutter the garage? Fortunately, there are some tips and shortcuts for the overtired and overstressed homeowner that can help you whip your home into shape.

Time Yourself

Organizing your home doesn't have to eat up hours of your day. In fact, you may be surprised what you can accomplish in just 15 or 20 minutes. When you have an extra few minutes, set the kitchen timer and focus on just one room of your home. Over time, these short periods of focused energy just may add up to a cleaner home.

Create Zones

Zoning your home means grouping like objects together and creating task-oriented spaces. The home landing strip is a classic example of a zone--it's a place to drop your keys, sunglasses, purse, or briefcase at the end of each day and know where to find it the next time you need it. Try applying this idea to other areas of your home life, and see where it takes you.

Use Baskets

Easier than storing items in a drawer or even a storage box, baskets are a home owner's best friend when it comes to simple organization. They can act as a catch all for a number of items, and look attractive in the process. Ideally, you'll want to put like items in one basket so you'll know where to find things later.

Live Clutter-Free

Perhaps the most daunting organizational challenge comes with actually purging your home of unwanted and unused items. However, take a look around, and you may quickly realize that you have two or even three sets of something you really only need one of. You don't have to purge your home of everything all at once, but take a few baby steps and see if you don't feel better with less clutter.

Donate Goods

Once you've downsized, take your unwanted items to a local charity, church, or consignment store. Knowing your "stuff" is going somewhere it's needed can help you feel less anxious about getting rid of it.

Take a Nap

It may sound counterproductive, but taking a nap may actually help you in the battle against clutter. When you're tired, everything seems overwhelming, so rest up a little and view your home with fresh eyes and renewed energy.