Do you find yourself facing these issues at home? Here are a few telltale signs that your home has more clutter than you realize.
- You are constantly misplacing things.
- Clothes hanging over chairs because the closet is so full
- You have multiple junk drawers in your home.
- You are embarrassed to have people visit you because of the piles they will have to step over.
- You don’t remember what your dining room table looks like since it became the home office.
Don’t panic if you can relate to one or all of these issues, clutter can accumulate quickly and multiply even faster. But there is hope to get rid of the piles in your home. We will share some of our best tips and techniques categorized by the top three trouble spots in the home.
Home organization in the kitchen
Let’s start in the center of the home, the kitchen.
- One of the most common things to clutter a kitchen is paper, that includes all of those coupons and ads received in the mail, magazines you intend to read, or junk mail you haven’t thrown out yet. Even though it is thin, it can quickly consume needed space. The best solution is to take a few minutes each day to go through and throw out what isn’t needed. Having a trash can nearby makes this task super easy. Many of our clients love the trash pull-outs that are built into their cabinets perfectly stored out of sight.
- Spices and oils are needful items used on a regular basis but storing them in a spot that is convenient yet won’t clutter the area can be difficult. Often they end up in the small cupboard above the stove, on the counter, or in the pantry which is located away from the stove. Creating a space such as a spice pull-out is a great way to keep these items close at hand but the kitchen counter remains clutter-free.
- Drawers are usually the culprit for hiding junk including old appliance manuals, extra screws, and plastic bags. Setting aside a few minutes each week to go through the drawers and utilizing dividers for the remaining items can help create a clutter-free space.
Here are a few more tips on keeping your kitchen clutter-free from HGTV
Home organization in the bathroom
The bathroom is an important part of our daily routine. It’s often one of the first places we go when we get up and the place we take that last look before facing the world. This space can also cause some early morning stress if we cannot find our needed items because they are buried under piles of clutter. Here are some simple tips and ideas that will keep your area clean and your mornings smooth.
- Arrange items by how often you use them. If it is used daily, like your toothbrush or comb, place it in an easy to reach area on your counter or designate the first drawer for these items.
- Limit what is on your countertop. Frustration can occur when you are constantly knocking things off the countertop or can’t set something down for lack of space.
- For shared bathroom spaces, especially by kids, create a caddy for each one and stored under the sink or on a shelf.
- Have a designated spot for your items such as hair care and toiletries. We have had several clients who included a docking drawer in their design making it easy to have what they need within reach and a hidden power source.
Home organization in the closet
The closet, the place in the house where everything that doesn’t have a home ends up. Everyone dreads opening a closet where they know only a big mess awaits them. Here are some helpful tips to assist you in taking back your closet so you can find what you need exactly when you need it.
- Double rods have several benefits. They give you double the space and allow you to group clothing together, say all your shirts or tops in one spot instead of having to hunt through the entire closet just to find one item.
- Keep the clothing you wear most often near the front or within easy reach. This makes getting ready for work much easier and saves time.
- Drawers are a great way to store smaller items such as scarves, belts, and personal items. You can also add dividers inside to provide extra organization.
- Good lighting helps you
- Decorative baskets or bins give you the option to store larger items such as blankets, on the closet floor. They also keep the space looking clean and provide easy access to particular items.
Home organization in the home office
For the many who work from home, it is important to have a designated space set aside, or else your dining room may become the default office. If you do have an office, perhaps you struggle to stay on top of the endless paperwork that is trying to take over your workspace or you are frustrated because you have misplaced an important document…again. Here are some of our best tips for getting back a productive work environment.
- Designated spaces – these areas will ensure that things stay in their places. Have a place just for outgoing and incoming documents and another just for important folders. It is also a good idea to have a place just for supplies like pens, envelopes, stamps and the very important white out.
- Phone charging station – this is an essential part of your office space because we rely upon and use our phones for just about everything now. Having a way to charge your phone that is easy to reach will eliminate stress and keep your day running smoothly.
- Drawers are usually where all things end up at one point or another. One way to manage that is by assigning different groups per drawer. Supplies in one, and personal items like chargers and planners in another. Knowing what is in each drawer will allow you to find things faster and easier. Custom dividers can also add an extra level of organization by letting you keep little things close together but still separate.
Tips not rules
Remember these are merely tips, not rules, to help remove the pesky clutter and get you back in control. Your home is just that, yours and it needs to match your lifestyle. The organization is meant to help you create a functional space that is perfectly suited to your needs and habits. Browse our gallery to see the many clients we have helped over the years to achieve a home that is tailored to and reflects them. Nothing gives us more satisfaction than taking a house and making it a home.