10 Simple Tips for Organizing Your Home
Maybe one of your goals this year is to organize your home, or maybe you’re like me and just moved and need to put your life back together so you can feel more settled. Either way, keeping your home organized doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, small changes can add up to big improvements in how your space looks and feels. These 12 simple, practical tips can help you create a home that feels calm, functional, and easy to maintain.
1. Start Small to Build Momentum
Instead of tackling an entire room at once, begin with a single drawer, shelf, or corner. Completing a small area boosts motivation and keeps the process manageable. If you’re someone who likes check lists, you can Google and find tons of premade check lists. Some great ones that I’ve found are linked below.
52 Weeks of Decluttering (really breaks it down into small bits.)
For some really simple cleaning/organizing lists I really like this site.
2. Declutter First, Organize Second
It’s tempting to start buying containers and labels right away, but organizing clutter only leads to organized clutter. Start by pulling out all the clutter and sorting into 4 piles:
- Keep-this is stuff that is staying in your home and specifically in that room or area.
- Donate or sell-once this pile is set, make sure to donate or list items for sale quickly so it’s not taking up space in your home.
- Trash
- Relocate-this is stuff that is staying in the home, but it might currently be in the wrong spot.
This step alone can dramatically reduce visual stress.
3. Give Everything a Home
If something doesn’t have a designated spot, it will inevitably end up out of place. Assign each item a logical location based on where and how often you use it. Labeling those spots can help family members stay consistent.
4. Make the Most of Vertical Space
Shelves, hooks, pegboards, and over-the-door organizers can transform unused wall space into functional storage. This is especially helpful in entryways, pantries, and bathrooms.
This website has some cool ideas for products to organize items.
5. Keep Surfaces Clear
Limit countertops and tabletops to the items you use daily. Clearing surfaces instantly makes your home look tidier and more spacious.
6. Use Containers Wisely
Before you go off buying a whole bunch of cute bins and baskets, are there items you have at home you can use first? We don’t want to be adding clutter to clutter. For some people, it can be calming to see organizers that are all the same and for others, just having everything have a place is what brings that calm. Another hint when adding containers to your home, make sure to measure your space so you can get containers the right size.
Bins, baskets, and drawer dividers help keep similar items grouped and easy to find. Try:
- Clear bins in a pantry
- Baskets under sinks
- Dividers in junk drawers
Just remember—containers should simplify your space, not hide clutter.
7. Create Functional Zones
Organizing by zones makes your home more intuitive. Consider creating:
- A coffee or beverage station
- A landing zone for keys, mail, and bags
- A centralized cleaning supply area
- A designated homework or art area for kids
Zones reduce decision fatigue and make cleanup easier.
8. Try the One-In, One-Out Rule
Every time a new item comes into your home, remove one item. This simple habit prevents clutter from creeping back in. I do this a lot with items that I am replacing, especially clothes.
9. Reset Each Day
A quick 5–10 minute tidy-up each evening keeps things manageable long-term. Putting things back in their homes daily prevents those frustrating weekend cleanup marathons.
10. Organize High-Traffic Spaces First
Start with the areas that impact your daily life the most—kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. Improving these spots first increases efficiency and gives your home an immediate fresh feel.
Final Thoughts
A well-organized home doesn’t require perfection—just consistency. By making small, purposeful changes and creating systems that work for your family, you can maintain a cleaner, calmer living space without stress. I know I feel so much more relaxed when I know where everything is, and my home isn’t filled with clutter. I’m excited to keep finding ways to make my home more efficient and relaxing and hope you are too! Happy organizing!
