20 Organizing Tips

Photo by jwlphotography

1. Saturday Cleanups:
Each Saturday, designate 30 minutes with the family to tidy. Give everyone a job or a goal and make it a family effort.
2. Focus on one room at a time: If you focus on just one room at a time, you’ll get more done. If something needs to go to another room, make a pile. Example: any coffee cups in the living room should be set aside until the end of the living room is cleaned. You save time and attention by focusing your efforts on smaller spaces at a time.
3. Try to weed out as you sift: Try to get rid of stuff as you clean. Ask yourself if it’s something you really need. You’ll be surprised how much clutter you can clear
4. Go with the flow: Systems are most effective when they happen naturally. Try to identify habits that form in your home and work with them. If the kids walk in, and immediately  set down their backpacks by the door: hang some hooks in the foyer. If you find yourself setting down the keys and mail on the dining room table; set an attractive tray in that spot as a collect-all.
5. Avoid the Refrigerator for paper storage: Menus, homework, and to-do lists can add up and clog up the front of the refrigerator. Designate a home for these papers, rather than letting them pile up.
6. Repair Center for clothes, toys, buttons, etc: We all know that there are items in the backs of our minds that need mending . Teddy bears with ripped off limbs, patches that need to be fixed to jackets, missing buttons. Designate an area for these things and do them once a week.
7. Take photos of the stuff in your memory box and scan it in: My whole life, my mom has had large “memory boxes” that she’s never gone in my whole life. Instead of letting your memories pile up and collect dust, cherish them by taking photographs and creating an online album. Back them up on external hard drives.
8. Core wardrobe: Once every 6 months do a “core wardrobe”. Go through your closet and weed out any items of clothing you no longer wear; as well as take notes of what you need to complete outfits.

9. Try to do fewer things on your to-do list: Each day, instead of trying to tackle 20 things on your to-do list, try and complete just 5.
10. Clean out purse once a day: Try and make it a habit to clear out your purse every night before bed. Toss receipts you don’t need, gum wrappers, organize business cards, etc. That way, every morning you’ll have a fresh beginning!
11. Dump the Junk (drawer): Obviously there is only one place for certain things that don’t really have a home. Junk drawers are acceptable, but one family member should have the job of dumping it out and making sure it’s really a Junk-Drawer-item on Saturday’s 30 minute clean up.
12. Back and Fourth Bag: Have a large tote bag that goes with you from home to the car. Keep it by the door to house movies that have to be returned; dry cleaning; etc. It will be so much more handy than you think.
13. Delegate to the family for organizing: Give the family jobs to help make your life easier. Let them decide which task they would like to tackle.
14.One-cup-a-day rule: That’s it, everyone gets ONE cup and ONE plate per day. Just rinse it between meals. Works like a charm.
15. Cut out some of the activities ; not just the physical things in your life:  Sometimes our minds need clutter busting. If the kids have too many play dates, cut the clutter. Clear your mind. Simplify.
16. Give children specific tasks:  Instead of saying “clean your room”, give your children specific tasks (this applies to some spouses also!)
17. Clear storage space (garage, attic, storage): Maybe once every 6months to a year (and especially before the holidays or if you anticipate a move) Go through storage areas and toss one large box full of stuff (or donate). We hava tendency to collect stuff. Movies, gifts, etc. Just get your wits about yourself and TOSS! You go, girl.
18. Sunday prep day: Prep the weeks veggies and lunches on Sunday

19. Set up a laundry and chore schedule: There are really good ones out there. I’ll post one soon, but google it for now.


20.Use a muffin tin for creative organizing:
A muffin tin is perfect for the junk drawer. it holds little objects nicely rather than them rolling around the drawer.

BONUS! Get a google calendar and sync it up on your android or iphone.