Simple tools for an organized home
Do you wish you could be more organized but don’t feel like you have the time or money to make it happen? Are you overwhelmed by the complicated and expensive systems and matching containers you see on Pinterest? If you answered yes, keep reading. Today, I’m sharing SIMPLE tools you can you use to start organizing your home TODAY.
The key to getting organized is putting systems in place that will continue to work in the long term. They need to be simple, logical, and fit a family’s needs.
The first step is to identify a problem area in your home, and then you can implement a simple system that solves that problem. Small solutions can make a big difference. For example, if you are constantly annoyed by always finding toothbrushes and toothpaste lying on the bathroom counter, consider purchasing a couple of containers to set on the counter to contain the clutter. Or, to get them out of the way, use a couple of Command strip hooks to attach a hanger to the inside of the vanity door.
Storage solutions solve a lot of issues, but only if they are logical and sustainable. Sorting and storing similar items together will allow members of the family to find items they need, and it will make it easy for them to put items away when they are finished being used. Use
bins and baskets in cupboards and on shelves, hooks on walls, and shoe racks on the backs of doors.
Using labels is helpful too. Labels on clothing and personal items can prevent items from getting lost, and labels on bins and baskets ensures that everyone can locate and put away items. Labels can be made using a label marker or cutting machine, or they can be hand written. (You can even use pictures as labels for bins that will be used by kids.)
I love using the little chalkboard garden labels from the dollar store. They have a little clothespin on the back that can be used to attach them to bins and baskets. I use mine in my garage to organize hats and bike helmets.
Organizing isn’t just for material possessions. It’s also important to organize schedules. I’m a visual person, so I love a paper calendar on the fridge that all family members can write on. However, many people prefer using shared calendars on their phones. There is no perfect system, so pick what works for you and your family.
Another helpful tool for home organization is meal planning. Mapping out a week’s worth of meals can calm the chaos created by last minute trips to the grocery store and scrambling to feed a family after a long day at work. Based on your needs and wants, you can invest as much (or as little) time into meal planning as you want. You can spend a full day cooking and filling a freezer with meals for the week, or you can simply make a list of the meals you want to make each night and stock the fridge and pantry with the supplies you’ll need. And, as an added bonus, meal planning can help you reduce food waste and save money.
Getting organized doesn’t need to be complicated. Prioritize your needs, and tackle one thing at a time.