Having an organized home can help you conquer clutter, breathe easier, and maximize your square footage. While a whole-house overhaul might seem daunting, every journey begins with a single step.
If you divide your abode into more manageable zones, you can get your possessions under control and have more room to relax. Here are the areas you should focus on:
- Kitchen and pantry
- Closets
- Home office
- Garage
- Bedrooms
- Living or family room
Keep reading for clever organizational tips and storage ideas for your entire household.
Organize Your Kitchen Kingdom
They say the kitchen is the heart of any home, but it's also a room where many messes are made - and a repository for mail, paperwork, school books, and many other miscellaneous, out-of-place items. Thankfully, there are plenty of modern, on-trend storage solutions for one of the busiest areas of your house. You'll want to get started by performing a deep cleaning, then throw away anything that's expired, damaged, or otherwise unusable.
Whether you're an experienced cook or just beginning to get the hang of it all, a properly organized kitchen will help you master the culinary arts. Make sure you have several necessities and invest in a few handy organizational accessories. Not sure where to start? The experts at HGTV have oodles of suggestions for functional storage containers, magnetic caddies for spices, slim rolling racks, hooks, and finding the perfect spots for your unwieldy kitchen appliances.
Captivating Closets
Your closets are expected to hold clothes, shoes, sports equipment, seasonal decorations, towels, linen, first aid kits, cleaning supplies, and who knows what else. They're also dark places with limited airflow, which can attract pests and cause yucky smells to hang around. The experts at Closet Solutions & Organizers dive deeper into the topic of closet odors in How to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh in Your Custom Closets.
From small hallway reach-ins to chaotic kids' closets and master bedroom walk-ins, you can get the most out of these versatile storage spaces quite easily. Good Housekeeping has some words of wisdom for homeowners on the verge of closet greatness:
- Over-the-door racks can be used for shoes, accessories, socks, shirts, and most anything that folds.
- Cubbies provide open, breathable storage for clothing as well as books and toys.
- Put the things you don't always use up towards the ceiling and everyday basics at eye level.
- Built-in laundry hampers help keep things neat.
- Utilize vertical space with hooks for bags, jewelry, scarves, and more.
- Keep your shoes off the floor with a shoe rack - this will make it easier to find the perfect pair.
- Closets can always use extra lighting - adding some illumination makes finding your favorite things a breeze.
A Home Office for Success
If you're embracing the many benefits of working from home, it's important to keep your office area well-organized and running smoothly for maximum productivity. Sitting at the dining room table or hunched over on the couch isn't conducive to doing your best work.
Empower your home office space with a few elegant touches that will put everything in its place, such as:
- Drawer organizers
- Caddies for your pens and other office supplies
- A tech-optimized desk
- Magnetic or push-pin boards
- Power cord management
- Wall-mounted storage for books and art
- Custom cabinetry and credenzas can add valuable storage space for whatever you need to succeed.
- Incorporate a low-maintenance plant or two if you're going for a more zen-like vibe.
Garage Makeover
Much like your closets, the garage can become a catch-all area for whatever doesn't fit in the house. Tools, exercise equipment, sports gear, and craft supplies are all competing for valuable square footage. Organizing your garage is a great way to increase your storage space and give yourself more room to do stuff like park your car, make a man cave or build a workstation for your hobbies. These tips for getting your garage ready to rock will guide you through the process.
It all starts with some spring cleaning (appropriate any time of the year). This is the ideal time to get rid of things you don't need, like broken tools, old clothes, outgrown toys, and more. Bring in more light, a seating area, and additional storage like cabinets, bookcases, and drawers.
Don't forget the overhead space. This heavenly real estate is a fabulous place for storing winter clothes, heavy bedding, or seasonal decorations in sturdy, water-tight, clear plastic bins. Showcase your personality and present a happy face to the neighbors with color, clever storage, and decor that really reflects your style.
Bedroom Oasis
Your bedroom should be a restful place where you can unwind from a busy day and get the sleep you need. A messy bedroom will only cause you additional stress. It's easy to get your bedroom in order and foster a relaxing atmosphere. The Spruce has several suggestions for a functional yet beautiful bedroom, including:
- Under-the-bed storage is a smart way to keeps items safe and out of sight.
- Hang up art that speaks to you and inspires you.
- Separate your room into zones.
- Get racks and baskets for your linen and bedding.
- Tidy up and declutter your nightstand.
- Wrangle your laundry with a built-in hamper.
Fabulous Family Room
Whether you call it a living room, media room, den, or rumpus room, the area where your family spends quality time is a crucial part of your home - but it's all too easy for it to become a minefield of shoes, games, and cords, all of which create tripping hazard.
Get your living area in tip-top shape and welcome surprise guests with confidence by starting off with decluttering, dusting, and vacuuming. Once everything has been refreshed, you can add flair to the space with art and other treasures. Display the things you love on built-in bookcases, and enjoy media together with your family in a cord-free zone.
Coffee tables and ottomans with hidden storage are a smart way to keep things you need close at hand while keeping them out of sight. Cabinets and armoires are also helpful with storing gaming consoles and other forms of media.
Final Thoughts
Organizing your entire home may seem like an overwhelming task, but don't psyche yourself out. Taking the one step at a time approach ensures that each room receives the attention it needs when it's convenient for you.
Highly-trafficked areas like the main living room, the kitchen, and your garage will benefit greatly from this upgrade. You'll be amazed at how much space you have - and how much it brightens up your whole house. Get that satisfying feeling of accomplishment with these incredibly useful home organization ideas.