Three Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Organized

If you're having a hard time keeping the rooms in your home tidy and organized on a daily basis, here are three easy steps to take:

1. put bins/baskets in each room

First, place a trash can, a recycling bin (if you recycle) and a "belongs elsewhere" bin, basket or box in every single room in the house, even the smaller rooms. In larger spaces, like rec rooms or open-concept areas, consider having a few sets of bins. Place the bins in convenient spots, such as near where you find socks, toys, tissues, candy wrappers or other things that are cluttering up the room. The bins can be small, discreet, and decorative or large with lids - whatever you need for the amount of activity in that room and whatever you want to complement your decor. You can repurpose containers you already have at home or find them at a variety of stores and thrift shops.

2. bin it, don’t drop it

It may seem odd to have so many trash cans and “belongs elsewhere” bins in your house, but if your rooms aren’t staying tidy, these bins will make it easier for everyone in the family to contain the clutter. Labeled, conveniently located bins set everyone up for success. Show each person the bins and reinforce the rule to “bin it, don’t drop it” for every single item.

Trash and recycling may seem obvious, but make sure everyone knows what should go in each so whoever empties these bins doesn’t have to sort through trash. “Belongs elsewhere” is for anything that does not belong in that room. If an item DOES belong in that room, put it away as soon as you are finished with it. Then, place items that belong elsewhere in the bin to rehome later. 

This way, you only have to take a few steps (or maybe just flick your wrist) to dispose of trash or set aside items that belong in another room. Rather than clutter throughout the room, you have everything organized!

3. empty bins as needed

Empty the bins when they are full, when the items in them are needed elsewhere, and/or once a week. If you can get into a routine of emptying them the night before the trash goes out to the curb, that can be the final step in your system and you don’t need to worry about it the rest of the week. This routine will help you and your family maintain order by preventing clutter from building up. 

Another option is to take whatever is in the “belongs elsewhere” bin every time you leave the room. When everyone in the family does this, rooms stay tidy and it feels GREAT to re-enter that room knowing that everything is where it should be.

Remember, organization doesn't have to be overwhelming. With these simple strategies, you can create a more orderly and stress-free environment in your home.

If you need more assistance, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Visit pinkyjackson.com to schedule a free assessment. We would love to help you with onsite organizing (if you are in the Louisville, KY area) or Virtual Organizing (if not) and provide personalized solutions to keep your home in order.

Pinky Jackson is an Organizing Expert and Decluttering Specialist. She and her team organize homes, offices and small businesses in the Louisville, KY region. They also do virtual organizing for those who prefer to work online. For more information about Pinky’s pricing & services or to schedule your free assessment, go to pinkyjackson.com

Photo: Fiona Murray-deGraaff @fsmurrayphoto