7 Home Organization Hacks Everyone Should Know
Our homes are representative of who we are. The things inside them and how we decorate them are symbolic of our personalities. And we feel you should be proud to show them off. That’s why we aim to keep our own houses as organized as possible – so the décor and personality are the shining stars when someone comes for a visit.
Here, we list 7 organization hacks we’ve learned over the years for the whole home to keep your space as neat and tidy as possible. We say, bring on those guests and show off who you are, not how unorganized you really may be (if you are kind of like us).
Cluster like Colors and Accessories
In the living room or spaces where décor take over, practice clustering your knickknacks based on physical similarities and color. For instance, keep the orange colored décor close to each other on the shelves, color code books based on their spines’ hue, cluster round shaped objects next to another and tall rectangular shaped ones on an opposite shelf. In the closets, color-code your clothes to make it easier to find specific pieces or outfits.
Clear Containing
Clear glass or plastic containers are a necessity in nearly every room of the house. In the kitchen, store your grains, spices and bulk pantry items in them for an easy view. In the bathroom, use them to organize your cotton swabs, make-up brushes and tools. The more you can see at a quick glance, the more organized and efficient your daily agendas will run. You’ll also be quicker at realizing you’re nearly out of certain household items.
Follow the Rule of 3
One of the biggest rules in interior design is known as the “Rule of 3” meaning everything should be decorated with in an odd number. Cluster three items together on a shelf for visual cohesiveness. Place three throw pillows on the sofa for a better balanced act. Pair 3 apothecary jars on a buffet in the corner or three coffee table books stacked nicely on the console table. Occasionally this rule can be broken when you have a pair of something or if three seems too minimal. Should that be the case, opt for adding in more but keep it to an odd number.
Baskets
Declutter your space by making use of storage baskets in every possible location. Store your extra bathroom needs like toilet paper in one, toiletries or soaps in another, and medicines in another. For the foyer and mudroom, use a large shoe basket as a catch all whenever someone enters the house or use a basket to keep winter gear on hand but out of direct sight up on a cubby. Same goes for the children and dog toys, school backpacks and tech gadgets. With baskets, just ensure you keep like items with like items to keep them structured.
Manage the Clutter
Follow the simple rule that if something comes in; something must go out. If you plan to bring in new furniture or accent pieces, ensure you rid the space of the older additions. Following this simple step will ensure you minimize on unnecessary items yet still are able to update your surroundings as your tastes and the times change.
Keep your Kitchen Neat and Tidy
Rid the counter space of all unnecessary items you don’t use on a frequent basis. The more you can store out of sight, the cleaner the kitchen will feel and the more functional workplace you can create. Store the knives in a drawer to be able to toss the knife block. Use the drawer below where the coffee maker is for your filters or k-cups. Store your cooking oils and seasonings in a cabinet above, but close to the range for easy access. Keep your tech gadgets out of site when not in use and make use of stacked shelves in the pantry to hide any infrequently used appliances and pantry items.
For a more tailored look in the kitchen, visit MasterBrand or Decora to browse kitchen storage options you may be able to incorporate into your own home. We particularly love the tech center cabinets that hide away all the necessary daily schedules and phone chargers but keep them easily accessible for when you need them.
Expand the Storage Space
Get creative with how you use the storage space in your home. In closets, use baskets to store your necessities and “build up” rather than push out much like the architecture in crowded cities. In homes with tall closets, you can cheaply build extra shelves near the tops of the closets to store those items you don’t access regularly. For the rest of the home, incorporate pieces of furniture that double as storage like platform beds and living room ottomans with pull out drawers or areas for extra blankets and table reading. Under kitchen cabinets, install pull out drawers for layering of pots and pans or hooks on the inside of cabinets for kitchen cleaning tools.
For more home organization tips, visit a few of the other blogs we’ve written over the years. We are confident you’ll read plenty to help you declutter your space to really let your personality shine.