How to Organize Your Home

Sometimes when we hear “organization” we set off down the road of negative self-talk. We tend to categorize the world into those who are organized and those who are not. If you consider yourself in the second camp, you may link “organization” to “overwhelm” because you just don’t know where to start.

But there are several seasons in life when our homes must be turned over, purged, and reset. I’m here to let you in on a secret to help you through these seasons: Organization can be life-giving and allow you to be free from the chores of home. You just need to focus on completing repeatable tasks that bring organization and structure.

Here’s how to get going

Look at your clutter. What is it? Paper products like mail, magazines, or school papers? Clothing or other personal items? Or maybe it’s sentimental items that you can’t part with but also can’t quite bring yourself to put in the dreaded attic.

create a home for each type of item

Mail should be taken to a space where it can be paid, filed for record, shred, and invitations noted on a family calendar. We often drop mail on the first countertop within reach. Make this action intentional by adding a dedicated tray on this surface. From here the family organizer should take it into another space where it will be further sorted. This may be your home office or your kitchen. If you can’t get it out of your kitchen, bring the checkbook and stamps to a specified drawer in your kitchen and place a bin for shreds in your pantry.

If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated home office, carve out a place for mail and sort it here.

Transform your kitchen catch-all clutter drawer into an easily accessible home for your checkbook and stamps.

Keep it Safe

Start a keepsake box for each member of the family. Choose a box and location that is easy to get to and open for quick additions. The contents can stay there forever or be transferred, but this box will provide a home that will keep the items safe and in one place.

Designate a drop zone

Clothing and personal items need a drop zone where they can “rest” before being put away. Keep this zone small so that it does not become long-term storage. This zone could be a bench by the back door, a mat inside the garage, even a more formal coat rack by the front door. Choose a zone type that goes with the flow of your family rhythm.

Use these repeatable tasks and strategies to keep your home in running order and minimize headaches over lost items and piling clutter. Be intentional about the time you use to organize your home; what other tasks can you perform at the beginning or end of each week that will save you time down the line?

Build on your progress every week and whenever you feel overwhelmed, revisit these tips to get back on track!