1. Create a Drop Zone

You know how when you come home and you immediately drop everything you carried in with you?  Having a designated space for all of those things keeps your table, couch, or entire house from becoming routinely buried under all that stuff.  A coat closet is ideal, but even just a small area with a coat rack would work.  If you have the space, take it a step further with a small table for other small items you might want to keep by the door.  The bonus of the drop zone is that once you create a home for your things, you won’t have to look for your keys, coat, or your umbrella the next time you’re on your way out the door.

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2. Use Your Calendar

Whether you use a Day Planner or a calendar on your phone, find a system that works for you and stick to it.  When you schedule an appointment, write or type it into your calendar right away.  Don’t take that reminder card, you’ll just lose it, or worse, clutter up your purse or wallet.  If your purse or wallet is already stuffed with reminder cards, take them out, put them in your calendar, and then shred them.

3. Use Hooks

Hooks keep the exact item you need in the exact place you want it – and 3M has several options that you can use and reuse without putting a hole in the wall.

• Put small hooks by the door to hang up your keys
• Put a hook in your linen closet for a spare set of scissors
• Put a hook in the kitchen to keep the broom and dustpan from falling over
• Put a hook on the side of your charging station so your charger cord stays put

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4. Use Baskets (or Boxes)

Storing like items in baskets cuts down on visual clutter and make things easier to find.  They are also a great way to store, and transport, temporary items while looking pretty.  IKEA, The Container Store, Home Goods, and Bed Bath & Beyond are all great resources for cheap baskets in all different shapes and sizes.

• Small baskets are great for organizing like items in your linen closet or pantry, say keeping all of your extra shampoos together or all the crackers in one basket.
• Put a basket in each family members’ closet so they can toss clothes in as they no longer fit/need/want them.  Once the basket is full, you can take it to your favorite donation center.
• Keep a medium sized basket in your drop zone, you can store items you need to return to the store, dry cleaning, etc., so that the next time you leave the stuff that needs to go with you is ready and in an easy to carry container.

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5. Use TV Commercials

Every time the commercial comes on, pause the TV and do one or two quick things on your to-do list. By the time the program is done you could have significantly decreased your to-do list AND you got to watch your show.

• Throw a load of laundry in the washer or dryer
• Empty or load the dishwasher
• Fold a load of laundry (bonus, you can watch while you’re doing this!)
• Shred the junk mail
• Take out the recycling or trash
• Lift weights or do some crunches
• Make a grocery list

6. Keep It Where You Use It Most

Dishes in the kitchen, paper by the printer, soap by the sink; it just makes sense, doesn’t it? If you keep things where you use them, you won’t have to go across the house to get an item to use it – or buy several ice cream scoopers because you forgot that the seven others you own are in the craft room.  If something in your house doesn’t have a home where you usually use it, take some time to find a designated space for it.

7. Make Your Bed

An unmade bed makes the room look messy and chaotic, and a made bed makes the room look clean and serene.  It’s a small task that takes 2 minutes or less – and according to Charles Duhigg, author of  “The Power of Habit”, is a habit correlated with better productivity, stronger will power, and a boost in happiness.  Yes, I’m telling you that spending two minutes each morning making your bed will give you all of that.  What are you waiting for?  Make that bed!

I’m Sarah from Happily Ever Organized.  I grew up in Salt Lake City the oldest of three girls, and my mother never had to ask me to clean my room.  I’ve always been passionate about organizing and helping others find the joy in being organized in their own way.  I’m constantly on the look-out for organization inspiration, interior design I can copy, cute running clothes, and the best garlic fries, with fry sauce of course.  Come visit me at Happily Ever Organized or follow me on Pinterest!