Simple Tips for Organizing Every Room

Before you begin the process of eliminating clutter, decide which rooms could benefit the most from reorganization. Are your bathroom cabinets overflowing with half-empty bottles? Is your bedroom closet so packed that getting dressed in the morning is a hassle? Once you identify the spaces in need of some tidying up, decide how you want these spaces to function, making sure to prioritize your necessities and daily routines. Forming a specific plan not only makes it easy to decide which items go, but it also helps you compile a list of everything you'll need.

Set attainable goals by organizing one room at a time, rather than trying to tackle multiple spaces at once. For each room, break down what needs to be done into smaller tasks. Focusing on one task at a time will make the process feel less overwhelming, and it also feels incredibly satisfying to check each task off your to-do list. For example, if you decide to start with your bedroom, you don't need to dump all your clothes onto your bed to sort through if the mountain of clothes will feel impossible to get through. Instead, work your way through a single type of clothing—such as sweaters, pants, T-shirts, etc.—and sort them into donate, keep, and toss piles before moving onto another type of clothing.

Most kitchen cabinetry does not account for vertical storage, leading to a lot of wasted space. Maximize the area inside your cupboards with wire risers or stackable shelving. These lightweight accessories can double your cabinet's storage space and even help you organize decorative china sets more attractively. Likewise, a wine glass rack or mug hooks keep your favorite drinking vessels conveniently displayed. For a modern touch, trade out your bulky knife block for a magnetic knife strip.

Maintaining a well-organized kitchen is possible with efficient food storage. Arrange foods using the first-in, first-out method, keeping older goods toward the front of the shelf and newer foods in their original packaging at the back. If your pantry or refrigerator shelving is deep, try using baskets or plastic crates as pull-out drawers. Label the baskets with their contents, and use clear containers for dry goods like cereal, pasta, and cookies. Keep a shopping list and pencil inside the pantry door, and you'll be ready for the next trip to the grocery store.

Keeping clutter at bay in the living room is a constant battle, one you're bound to lose if you don't adapt your strategy to the space. Set decorative baskets about for storing magazines, electronic devices, and blankets when not in use. Create a spot for stationary and incoming mail in a visible location. If you snack in front of the television, use a tray with handles to transfer the mess to the kitchen afterward. Resist the urge to hide junk in the coat closet, reserving it for coats, shoes, and umbrellas instead.

Don't let too many decorative objects overwhelm the living room. Rotate your favorite collectibles every few months to keep the decor fresh, and practice the art of facing your furniture and accessories. Facing involves lining up and straightening everything out, from the area rug to the end tables. Organize coffee table books in neat stacks, and arrange knick-knacks or houseplants in tidy rows. Facing these items produces clean lines that free up a lot of visual space.

Some bedrooms are a place of serenity, while others are multifunctional. Either vibe you're going for, clutter can ruin it. Maintain order inside dresser drawers with dividers and, instead of crowding the top of your dresser, display knick-knacks on floating shelves. Get rid of that dated jewelry box and make a hanging organizer inside your closet door. If your minimalist wardrobe fits in the closet, do away with that bulky armoire and bring in a live plant. Better yet, keep a garment rack nearby and plan your outfits ahead of time. Don't forget to make your bed every day. It only takes a few minutes yet transforms the entire look of the room.

Eliminating clutter from your bedroom is half of the job. Avoid leaving clothes and personal effects in a mess around the room by keeping an organized closet. Start by emptying the space and sorting your clothes into piles for donating or throwing away, and to keep. Return items that shouldn't be stored in the bedroom closet to their proper places, including outerwear, cleaning supplies, and sports equipment. As you rearrange your clothing, store your most-used pieces at eye level. Keep less-used accessories on the floor and least-used items, like out-of-season clothing or fancy shoes, on high shelves.

The family room is a hotspot for disorder. Instead of trying to clean it up, ease your workload with organized chaos. Keep a designated children's corner where they can contain their mess and develop organizational skills. Set up a bookshelf behind the couch and help them arrange reading material by subject, author, or book color. To add a playful element, designate wall space for hanging their artwork. If your family room doubles as the office, consider ditching the traditional computer desk. Opt for a desk with enough surface for doing homework or paying bills, and a filing cabinet if you need extra storage.

An organized bathroom doesn't just feel cleaner, but it also streamlines your morning routine. Keep only your most-used toiletries, such as hand soaps, lotions, and toothbrushes on the countertop. Organize everything else into divided drawers or the medicine cabinet, with daily-use items like makeup and moisturizers in the top drawer or at eye level. Hang wet towels on hooks and use the towel rack for hanging baskets. Maximize storage even further by building a custom medicine cabinet behind a full-length mirror. If you have a double sink in the master bath, try refurbishing a cabinet for the counter space in-between.