10 Tips to Help Organize Your Home comes from a Houzz post by a contributor who specializes in and teaches a decluttering e-course.

You can learn more about Laura Haskill and her Mindful Clutter Clearing e-course at http://www.lauragaskill.com/ecourse.

Here are her tips, and my take on each one:

  1. Understand Active Zones vs Passive Zones. Active zones are areas that you go through multiple times a day. Declutter those active zones. Do not store things in the active zones that you don’t use regularly. Put them in more passive zones. Those are the areas like guest rooms, basements, high or low shelves that are not easily or regularly accessible.
  2. Whatever You Store in The Open, Make it Visually Pleasing. Homes need both closed and open storage. Store old games, plastic containers, etc in closed storage. Place books, nice glasses, other inviting items in the open storage places.
  3. Use Clear Containers In Closets/Pantries. You need to be able to find what you are looking for, so clear containers help you do so. Labels help as well, if the items can’t be stored in clear containers (see #9.)
  4. Make Things Easy To Put Away. Make sure closets and storage units have baskets, containers, etc for ease of storage. When it is easy to put away, the family is more likely to do so.
  5. Group By Use. Laura says this is akin to a first aid kit. Put things like bandaids, gauze, triple antibiotic ointment all together. (And then label — for ease to find!) School supplies should be together. Pencils, pens. Whatever you need to have go together should be out away together.
  6. Create a Designated Place for Items On-the-Go. Dog leashes, back packs, purse, keys…they should have a place where you always put them so you can find them easily next time you need them. Also, keep them neat, in a basket, shelf, etc near the door from which you enter and exit.
  7. Use Drawer Organizers. Drawers without organizers often create clutter. Many places sell drawer organizers – buy them and use them judiciously.
  8. Use Shelf Risers and Wall Mounts. Prevent piles from falling over by having separation between your bowls and plates thanks to shelf risers. Also, rather than put your mops and brooms stacked in a closet, hang them on the wall in there. It will make them much easier to get to — and prevent things from falling!
  9. Use the Correct Type of Container. Blankets, sheets, placemats, etc should be in breathable containers so they don’t get ruined. Photos should be in acid-free containers. Know (or learn) what the right container is for what you are looking to store!
  10. Put Heavy Items Low to the Ground. I know I have put my heavy mixer up high, thinking it is out of the way, but then I never want to use it because it is too heavy to get down on my own.

These are great tips to help begin to organize your home. If you feel overwhelmed, there are e-courses like Laura’s, or local professionals who may be able to help!