Many don’t know where to begin when considering all the potential projects around the house. We become frozen by the possibility of getting in over their heads. I get it! And, true, it usually gets worse before it gets better, but JUST BEGINNING is a great step. I recommend the following when organizing a space, which can be applied to organizing anything from a drawer to your closet to your pantry, to your office.
Plan a time
Actually put it on the calendar - 2-4 hours at most.
A way out
Before you begin, you want to make sure you know where your discards are going or else you’ll just continue to shuffle piles around.
Where can you donate locally? Are you part of the Buy Nothing Project, a hyperlocal way to share items with neighbors? Do you want to try to sell some of the items you are ready to let go of? Where can you recycle items that can’t be donated? Some resources can be found here.
Once you know WHERE your items are headed, create a plan for HOW they will be dropped off. I have one space in my home where I put items until I have the time to donate or consign.
Start small
Begin with one category, like your gift wrap, your jewelry, or your water bottle collection.
Pull it alllllllll out
Yep, pull out everything in the space you are organizing.
Whether it’s one category, i.e. your gift wrap, or an entire closet like your pantry, you can only truly SEE what you have when you pull it out. This step gives you fresh eyes - think, “I can’t believe I still have that spice from 2010” or “I’ve been looking for that!”)
Sort
Don’t overcomplicate this. I find general categories work best, especially when you just begin.
Example: Under the sink organization - Sort sponges from cleaning products for the kitchen from cleaning products for the bathroom, etc. You may even have a single item in a category.
Snack Break!
Really, though, you need to refuel before the next step
Assess
This is where it gets harder. Begin with the low-hanging fruit - what is in rough shape? What is expired? Remove these items first.
Now, ask yourself about your rhythms and routines. If the items in a category do not match your current habits or stage of life, remove them.
If you are unsure, give items a “time out” in a labeled box in the garage or attic, then discard in 3-6 months if you haven’t accessed the box.
Space Plan
Now it’s time to consider how to intentionally put everything back. I like to “use what you have” whenever possible by repurposing bins, baskets, and even boxes and lids to corral items in pantries, closets and drawers. Test it out by placing empty product in place.
Create temporary labels with sticky notes for categories to visualize how it will best fit.
Store lesser used items up high.
Keep your categories SIMPLE for longer-term habit building - i.e. “Snacks” vs. “Nuts” and “Crackers” and “Dried Fruit”
Determine a spot for backstock - basically “extras” you have when you start running low. This may be extra paper products, pantry items, office supplies, or bath products.
Place
Now, place everything back in your space based on you how you tested it out in the step above.
Store back stock in it’s designated home
Label
This step will help you MAINTAIN your organization. I love this label maker. BUT, I also use colorful paper tape, or even simple printed labels that I laminate to customize the size + font I like best.
In the kitchen, I often use temporary sticky note labels on the outside of cupboards until everyone is on the same page about where things are stored.
Maintain
Put things away! This is key to maintaining your space.
Make sure everyone sees the labels and knows where each items home in (I like to give a quick “orientation” after the labels are in place)
Have a family clean-up time at the end of the day. Teach kids to put items away.
Regularly declutter. Seasonally review whether your space needs to be reset or adjusted as your family rhythms and habits evolve.
Adjust
Give yourself time to get used to new set-ups, and hopefully your organization will help
As you live in the space, pay attention to what feels natural and what feels frustrating.
Don’t be afraid to adjust and tweak.