With these 24 simple strategies, you can tackle storage and organization challenges so that the clutter disappears.
Take a look inside your closet.
What is the state of affairs? If you find a chaotic mix of items without any logical order or system, you likely have an organizational issue. There’s no need to worry, though.
We’re here to assist you in turning that cluttered closet, and the rest of your home, into an organized and streamlined space. With these 24 simple strategies, you can tackle storage and organization challenges throughout your house.
You may be pleasantly surprised to find that as the clutter disappears, so does some of your mental stress.
24 Best Smart Storage Methods to Clean Clutter
Prioritize Measurement Before Buying Containers: Before shopping for storage baskets and bins, assess your decluttering needs.
Determine the items you need to store, the space required, and the available storage area. This way, you can buy suitable containers and avoid accumulating empty containers that only add to the clutter.
Utilize Dollar Stores for Storage Solutions: Head to dollar stores to find affordable storage bins and baskets.
Opt for the same color in multiple to create a cohesive and organized look. These bins are perfect for organizing various items like toiletries, accessories, toys, and sports equipment.
Ask Honest Questions About Your Closet: Resist the temptation to hold onto clothes you rarely wear.
Place a cloth bag in your closet and ask yourself daily if each piece of clothing is flattering, beloved, and representative of your current style. If not, consider donating it to reduce clutter.
Make Storage Accessible for Kids: In kids’ rooms, multiple smaller bins for specific toy types make it easier for them to find items quickly, preventing them from creating messes while searching for a single toy.
Declutter and Organize Your Nightstand: Keep your nightstand clutter-free by limiting the number of books to a reasonable amount and using a tray for change and jewelry.
Utilize the space below with a basket for blankets or magazines.
Organize Your linen closet: Streamline your linen closet by keeping only three towels and washcloths per person, two sets of sheets per bed, and one set for guests.
Use baskets and bins for smaller items like sewing and laundry supplies to avoid accumulating clutter.
Schedule Seasonal Closet Cleanouts: Regularly declutter your closet each spring and fall.
Categorize, purge, and rearrange your wardrobe, donating or discarding items that no longer serve you.
Organize Instruction Manuals: File away instruction books and warranty information in the same room as the respective items.
Consider organizing the manuals in a magazine holder and staple the receipt and warranty to the cover. Alternatively, go paperless by accessing the manuals on the manufacturer’s website.
Create Designated Kitchen Zones: Make a list of tasks performed regularly in your kitchen, then create dedicated zones for each.
Organize shelves with essential supplies, nonperishable foods, and specialized tools or utensils for easy access.
Digitize Favorite Recipes: Rather than keeping cookbooks that gather dust, scan and print your most frequently used recipes and donate the books.
For recipes from magazines, tear out the relevant pages and recycle the rest. Organize the recipes in a three-ring binder using clear plastic pockets for easy customization.
Tackle Paper Piles: Avoid paper clutter by designating a specific place for incoming papers, such as a tray, magazine rack, or basket.
When the papers are no longer fit, move them to the recycling bin, shredding any documents with personal information first.
Optimize Cleaning-Day Efficiency: Simplify your cleaning supplies to five basics: all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, wood polish, abrasive cleaner for bathrooms and kitchens, and floor cleaner.
Place each type in a caddy for easy transport during cleaning.
Target Problem Areas: Set up organizing solutions where clutter accumulates the most.
For instance, use labeled racks for family members’ shoes or place a bookshelf by the door with trays for sunglasses, keys, and other small items.
Involve the Family in Organizing: Reserve a Saturday morning every few months for a family cleanout session.
Task each family member with bringing items from their spaces to donate or throw away, then reward yourselves with lunch out.
Set Clear Storage Criteria: Before starting the sorting process, establish clear rules for what to keep and what to toss.
For example, when decluttering a lipstick collection, decide to keep only the most frequently used ones or those less than two years old.
Utilize Space Behind Doors: Maximize storage space by using the backs of doors and cupboards.
Install shallow shelves, hooks, or over-the-door organizers to accommodate items without a designated home, such as pot lids, gift-wrapping materials, and shoes.
Regularly Donate Unwanted Clothing: Keep a donation hamper in your closet and add an item of clothing you haven’t worn in the past six months every two weeks.
When the hamper is full, take it to a local charitable organization.
Streamline Sheets: Organize sheets for each bedroom by placing them in designated bins.
Use a coated metal pan rack inside the bin to separate sheet sets, making it easy to find and refresh beds when needed.
Create a Command Station: Hang an indoor mailbox in a central location and commit to sorting through it regularly.
Set a reminder to go through the box at least once a week, handling bills, important correspondence, and recycling junk mail. Designate a spot for frequently accessed papers like takeout menus and phone directories.
Remember Reusable Bags: After unloading your groceries, promptly return reusable bags to your car or hang them on a designated hook near the door.
This simple habit reduces clutter and saves time when you’re in a hurry.
Turn Decluttering into a Game: Make decluttering a fun family activity by writing tasks on slips of paper and putting them in a hat or basket.
Each person selects a task, completes it, and then chooses another. The person with the most completed tasks after 30 minutes earns a reward, such as a day off from chores or control of the TV remote.
Designate a Donation Box: Use an organizational layaway system by setting aside a box for items you’re considering donating but aren’t yet ready to part with.
Write the date on the box and store it in a closet or garage. After one year, if you haven’t needed or missed anything in the box, donate or discard its contents.
Be Honest About Usefulness: When making organizational decisions, ask yourself three practical questions: Do I love it? Do I use it? Could someone else use it? If an item no longer serves a purpose or brings you joy, consider recycling, donating, or discarding it.
Organize Coupons: Invest in a tabbed expanding file folder to keep receipts and coupons organized for shopping.
Label the tabs based on your preferred system, whether it’s by store, date, or category. Regularly clean out expired coupons or receipts you no longer need.
By following these tips, you can streamline your decluttering process, create a more organized living space, and simplify your daily life.
*The information is for reference only.