Decorating & Design
50 Organization Tips For Your Entire House
Updated on August 4, 2016
Far too many of us have Pinterest boards dedicated to organization perfection, but have yet to apply those tips and tricks in our own homes. With the start of a new year, author Toni Hammersley — the creator and writer behind A Bowl Full of Lemons, a website dedicated to conquering the clutter — is releasing The Complete Book of Home Organization. Inside you’ll find cleaning tips, space-saving secrets, step-by-step instructions and checklists so you can easily implement those Pinterest-worthy ideas into your own home. We’ve taken some of her top tips and put them into an easily digestible checklist that you’ll want to come back to again and again.
1. Start with an inventory
2. Label items
3. Store smaller items in pretty baskets
4. Place cans into bins
5. Purge anything you no longer eat, or that has expired
6. Use clear containers with lids for pantry essentials like flour and pasta
7. Clean your bathroom for a few quick minutes daily – it makes a big difference
8. Use clear bins to store make-up
9. Make the most of small closets with shelves and bins
10. Purge expired products
11. Group similar items together
12. Corral coats and shoes
13. Mount a key rack and mail station
14. Add a mat for wiping feet
15. Hang a clock so you’re never late (wishful thinking)
16. Use a boot tray for wet boots
17. Divide your office into zones, such as: work zone, filing zone, homework zone, etc.
18. Control paper clutter by organizing it into categories like junk mail, bills, school etc.
19. Create a keepsake box for cards, artwork, school pictures, etc.
20. Take advantage of forgotten spaces
21. Create a homework center
22. Wash linens weekly
23. Find storage everywhere, like under the bed, for example
24. Store accessories on hooks, ring dishes and wall-mounted displays. Divide your dresser to help keep rolled t-shirts neat or smaller garments like socks from going missing
25. Out with the old! Check under the bed, dresser drawers, nightstands, dresser top for any clutter or old clothing you can donate
26. Include comfort items like a robe, slippers, extra throw blanket and fresh towels
27. Create a snack station with bottles of water, a mini coffee maker and small treats like granola bars
28. Provide reading material – current magazines add a hotel-like experience
29. Think of the little things like an alarm clock and Wi-Fi password
30. Add extra toiletries such as disposable razors, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner
31. Fold like a pro, and whatever method you choose, keep it consistent
32. Color code (i.e. white for guest towels, gray for family towels)
33. Set limits (i.e. only three sets of sheets per bed)
34. Label each shelf by room (i.e. master bedroom, dining room)
35. Think safety; anchor all large furniture and use childproof latches
36. Be practical by choosing bedding and accessories that aren’t too precious
37. Install a dimmer switch for late night feedings
38. Mix and match storage solutions, like hooks, bins and soft bins, for a playful look
39. Think like a child – consider their eye level and what they can reach
40. Decant products (like laundry detergent) into clear bins for a uniform look
41. Prevent dryer disasters by writing right on the dryer what needs to be dried with a dry erase marker
42. Conceal unsightly items with curtains
43. Utilize wall storage
44. Don’t forget to decorate! Making the laundry room a pretty place will make being in there feel like less of a chore
45. Clean the washing machine itself! Run a full wash cycle on the hottest setting with 1 cup of bleach (no detergent or clothing)
46. Decorate vertical surfaces with planter boxes, vines and hanging planters
47. Use the perimeter. L-shaped benches against walls and fences leave center space free and give guests something to lean against
48. Invest in outdoor fabrics
49. Repurpose furniture. For example, bring a console outdoors when hosting a party to create a buffet station
50. Add hooks to your BBQ tools and hang them on a teak ladder next to the grill
The Complete Book of Home Organization