Have you ever felt super motivated to get organized? Maybe you’re working through our ten organization tips for moms.
You embraced a few weekend organization projects, made a master to-do list, bought the bins and boxes, printed the labels, and dug through the hall closet.
You were feeling on top of the world, only to find yourself struggling to stay on top of things as the days pass, right?
That’s pretty normal. And it can feel defeating. But don’t let it!
The decluttering and routine planning was just the beginning. Regular decluttering maintenance is going to win the battle.
Organize Your Home With 8 Easy Strategies
Close your eyes and imagine, for a moment, a life where everything has its place. You can always find what you need when you need it.
Keep that vision in mind, then grab your bins and baskets! Let’s create some super simple habits that help everything stay organized.
1. Create a Designated Home for Everything
“Never in the history of ever has the middle of the floor been the storage spot for things we own!”
If you’ve ever said those words to your children, you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say, “But do they know where it does go?”
You probably already did this when going through the initial decluttering and organizing.
But you’ll want to create a routine that ensures you create “put-away” places for existing and new items.
Having a designated place for items, you associate that item with where it belongs.
Before long, it’s a habit to put it instantly in the place it goes.
Pencils on the counter after lessons? You instantly put them in the pencil holder. Are pot holders lying around the kitchen? Snatch them up on the way by and hang them on their hook.
That mindset won’t happen overnight but keep at it, and you’ll get there.
2. Create Intentional Routines
Ahhh…I love a good SMART goal! Don’t you?
Something small but mighty, friendly, and impactful.
Rather than saying, I will keep the house tidy with no real plan of how you’ll end up where you started.
Don’t underestimate the power of a routine! Build routine maintenance of your space daily, weekly, and monthly. Define what you’ll handle during that time.
If your daily maintenance is tidying, don’t get distracted by other cleaning tasks.
Be confident you’ve got those scheduled, and hold yourself accountable for the tasks you need to complete.
3. Give it Just 15 Minutes a Day
Ohhh la, we’re busy! We’re juggling homeschooling, working, parenting, cooking…and…well..life in general!
If committing an hour or two on the weekends seems overwhelming, give yourself some grace! There is a lot on your plate!
Instead, commit to shorter 15-minute organization sessions. It’s a lot easier to think you might be able to find 15 minutes in your schedule, I promise!
But don’t let your phone, kids, or dinner plans derail you.
Instead, set a timer to help you focus and prevent your mind from taking you down a rabbit hole to other tasks.
You’ll often find you’re more motivated to complete everything when you only have a short period.
4. Stop Shopping the Sales
“I can’t afford not to buy that. It’s such a good deal!” I catch myself saying that sometimes. How about you?
Absolutely, saving money is great! When it’s something you need. But if you’re ending up with things you won’t actually use, you’re only defeating yourself.
Try to break the habit of shopping sales just to save a bit of money. You don’t have room for them.
You’re risking your tidy and manageable new space with that haul from the sale. Try to stop and consider where you’ll keep something the next time you’re considering an unplanned purchase.
Break the habit of shopping sales just to save money. Ensure it’s an item you actually need!
5. Implement a “One In, One Out” Policy
Tying into that tip above, prevent new clutter by making it a policy that new items replace old items, not join them!
Implementing a “One In, One Out” policy can be a game-changer. The idea is simple: whenever you bring a new item into your home, commit to getting rid of something you no longer need or use.
Doing this prevents new clutter from accumulating and ensures that your space remains organized over time. It’s another great way to keep yourself in check and avoid the temptation of buying things you don’t need.
6. Declutter Regularly
Do you have a drop zone that gets out of control quickly?
Declutter high-traffic areas of your home regularly. If not every day, try to do this weekly.
For the most part, you can organize your home fairly easily if you have routines set up ahead of time.
Clutter happens over time just from living in your home. But it’s most common in areas where everyone spends the most time. Think entryway, living and family room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
Looking for a full tutorial on creating a kitchen inventory to help with your meal planning? We’ve got you! Follow those links for inspiration.
7. Keep a Donation Box
Do you keep stuff because it seems wasteful just to throw it away?
I love the environment as much as the next girl, but that’s not helping anyone. Instead, mark a designated box or bag as your donation bin.
You can drop it off at your favorite non-profit. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could create a short research project on the non-profit and who it supports.
Or, if you’re like me, you’ll plan to create a short research project. But it never quite seems to materialize if I don’t write it down and schedule it.
Don’t forget, some of the non-profits will do pickups if you have enough to donate, or you can wait until their area collection day.
What about creating gifts out of children’s art? Or repurposing some of those fantastically sweet art projects into Christmas gifts? We call that winning the best daughter award at the parents house.
8. Label Everything
Kids, pets, homework, you name it! Everything gets a label!
Ok, maybe not everything, but almost everything.
Labeling containers, shelves, and drawers helps you easily organize your home long-term.
Make sure your labels are clear and easy to read and update them as needed if you reorganize or add new items to your space.
Everything has a home, and it’s easy for everyone in your home to ensure they make it to their homes!
Reclaim Your Space When You Organize Your Home
Are you following along with our reclaim your life series?
Organizing your home and daily routines can make an immense impact on your stress levels, mental health, and overall wellness.
What other tips do you use to create a more organized routine? Tell us in the comments below!
