10 Little Things You Can Do to Feel More Organized
Try one or more of these projects to tidy up and give yourself a win at home
The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to make a fresh start at home. If you’d like to feel more organized but don’t have the time, energy or need for a top-to-bottom tidying spree, any one of these 10 projects could be just enough to give your space a boost.
2. Give Your Fridge a Fresh Start
The best part about using refrigerator organizing bins isn’t that they make your fridge shelves look neat (which they do), it’s that they make things so much easier to find. Keep fresh, healthy choices easy to spot with clear food storage containers and corral small, similar items in bins. Look for containers that stack to keep the shelves even neater.
Find food containers & storage
The best part about using refrigerator organizing bins isn’t that they make your fridge shelves look neat (which they do), it’s that they make things so much easier to find. Keep fresh, healthy choices easy to spot with clear food storage containers and corral small, similar items in bins. Look for containers that stack to keep the shelves even neater.
Find food containers & storage
3. Nest Your Travel Gear
Save space and make all your travel accessories a breeze to find before your next trip by “packing” your largest suitcase with your travel gear. Place smaller duffels and totes inside wheeled luggage, and nest toiletry organizers, jewelry rolls and travel pillows in the center.
Save space and make all your travel accessories a breeze to find before your next trip by “packing” your largest suitcase with your travel gear. Place smaller duffels and totes inside wheeled luggage, and nest toiletry organizers, jewelry rolls and travel pillows in the center.
4. File Your Clothes KonMari Style
There is a bit of a learning curve when you first get started, but if you give tidying expert Marie Kondo’s folding method a try, you’ll probably never go back. The genius about this way of folding — which involves creating a neat little rectangle that can sit upright — is that once your clothes are in position, you can see everything at a glance. No more digging to the bottom of the stack (and upsetting all of your other clothes in the process) just to find your favorite shirt.
‘Tidying Up’ Author Marie Kondo Tells How to ‘Spark Joy’ at Home
There is a bit of a learning curve when you first get started, but if you give tidying expert Marie Kondo’s folding method a try, you’ll probably never go back. The genius about this way of folding — which involves creating a neat little rectangle that can sit upright — is that once your clothes are in position, you can see everything at a glance. No more digging to the bottom of the stack (and upsetting all of your other clothes in the process) just to find your favorite shirt.
‘Tidying Up’ Author Marie Kondo Tells How to ‘Spark Joy’ at Home
5. Make Getting Dressed Easier
Give yourself the gift of time in the morning by choosing your outfit in advance and placing it on a valet hook or small wardrobe rack. Add a few hooks on a nearby wall to hold necklaces, and you’ll find your morning routine transformed.
Browse closet storage
Give yourself the gift of time in the morning by choosing your outfit in advance and placing it on a valet hook or small wardrobe rack. Add a few hooks on a nearby wall to hold necklaces, and you’ll find your morning routine transformed.
Browse closet storage
6. Neaten Up Open Shelving
Open shelves are great for keeping frequently used items within reach, and they can make your space look larger — but they’re also notorious for attracting clutter and dust. Tidy up open shelves by stashing messy items in attractive storage containers. Keeping some of the shelving open will give you the best of both worlds.
Open shelves are great for keeping frequently used items within reach, and they can make your space look larger — but they’re also notorious for attracting clutter and dust. Tidy up open shelves by stashing messy items in attractive storage containers. Keeping some of the shelving open will give you the best of both worlds.
7. Make a Small Closet Work Harder
Organizing a small hall closet is an achievable goal — and once it’s done, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can get out of the space. To max out a narrow closet, consider adding a small shelving unit on the floor, a hanging rod for coats, and a high shelf with stacking, lidded boxes for storage. Need even more space? Add a hanging organizer to the back of the door.
Find a professional organizer
Organizing a small hall closet is an achievable goal — and once it’s done, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can get out of the space. To max out a narrow closet, consider adding a small shelving unit on the floor, a hanging rod for coats, and a high shelf with stacking, lidded boxes for storage. Need even more space? Add a hanging organizer to the back of the door.
Find a professional organizer
8. Get a Handle on Household Tools
Small, commonly used household tools like tape measures, screwdrivers and hammers should be easy to find when you need them. If your tools are in a jumble, taking an afternoon to sort them out can be a very satisfying project. And while a classic toolbox is always a good option, clear, labeled drawers make a neat alternative.
20 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have
Small, commonly used household tools like tape measures, screwdrivers and hammers should be easy to find when you need them. If your tools are in a jumble, taking an afternoon to sort them out can be a very satisfying project. And while a classic toolbox is always a good option, clear, labeled drawers make a neat alternative.
20 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have
9. Invest in a Few Sturdy Storage Containers
Instead of waiting until you have the time and energy to tackle the entire garage — which, let’s face it, could be a while — set aside just enough time to repack a few old cardboard boxes of stored items into sturdy storage bins. Moisture and critters (ugh) can easily find their way into cardboard boxes, ruining the contents before you have a chance to enjoy them again. By gradually replacing them with tough plastic storage bins, you’ll have a neater garage and the contents will be better protected.
Instead of waiting until you have the time and energy to tackle the entire garage — which, let’s face it, could be a while — set aside just enough time to repack a few old cardboard boxes of stored items into sturdy storage bins. Moisture and critters (ugh) can easily find their way into cardboard boxes, ruining the contents before you have a chance to enjoy them again. By gradually replacing them with tough plastic storage bins, you’ll have a neater garage and the contents will be better protected.
10. Be a Better Plant Parent
Always forgetting to water your plants? Doing a little legwork on one weekend can help you set up a system to keep your houseplants thriving. First, if you’re not sure how often to water your particular plants, look up care instructions online or ask at your local nursery. Once you know their ideal watering schedule, add it as a recurring event on your paper or digital calendar.
Always forgetting to water your plants? Doing a little legwork on one weekend can help you set up a system to keep your houseplants thriving. First, if you’re not sure how often to water your particular plants, look up care instructions online or ask at your local nursery. Once you know their ideal watering schedule, add it as a recurring event on your paper or digital calendar.
Your turn: What’s your best organizing tip? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
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Find professional organizers near you
Shop for storage and organizing products
More on Houzz
10 Decluttering Projects You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less
Find professional organizers near you
Shop for storage and organizing products
A common flaw in entryway organization systems is size: Bins, baskets and trays tend to be too small to handle the reality of busy households. Instead of beating yourself up about overflowing containers, do yourself a favor and get some bigger ones. Dedicate one nice, roomy basket to each member of the household (including the dog) and grab an extra while you’re at it to hold items for recycling.
Shop for storage bins & boxes