Get Spring Cleaning Started Early!
The first month of the new year has just about come and gone. Resolutions have been made (and broken), folks are still detoxing from the craziness of the holidays, and everyone is looking to find ways to make their 2019 as stress-free as possible. And when it comes to stress-free, why not start at home?
That’s why we’ve put together five of our favorite top organization tips to help you get the new year started right!
Start small
When it comes to organization, it’s easy to get stumped just thinking about the sheer amount that you have to do. Even if you’ve got a small space, you’ve got to account for the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, your bedroom – and all of the nooks and crannies in each of those rooms, too! Before you panic, don’t worry. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and in the same vein, you don’t have to tackle all of your organizational needs at once. In fact, starting small is a great way for you to figure out what your organizational style is!
For that reason, think about tackling junk drawers and small closets first so as not to get overwhelmed. Before heading to your big walk-in closet or your chest-of-drawers, think about those do-anything organizational spots in your house. This might mean anything from starting with under-the-bed storage to organizing the front closet. Wherever you decide to start, make sure that you’re taking your time – and that you don’t get overwhelmed!
Recognize what does (and doesn’t) bring you joy
As organizational queen Marie Kondo asks, “Does it bring you joy?” This is the kind of question that we could easily apply to any aspect of our lives but is particularly important when it comes to identifying what items we really need in our homes.
When Marie Kondo asks those she’s helping in her new TV show or through her bestselling book about what brings them joy, she’s referring to whether or not the items that we’ve chosen to keep around our homes actually make us happy. Sure, they might look nice, but when was the last time those gilded bookends were actually used? And when’s the last time you even thought about them?
Kondo’s “Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up” asks viewers and readers (and followers of all kinds) to, if their belongings don’t bring them joy, quite literally thank each item… and get rid of it.
While it might be easier said than done to narrow down what exactly it is that makes you joy, Kondo’s rule of thumb makes a great place to start when it comes to the process of decluttering any spaces in the home.
Cluttered kitchen cabinets? Hang those pots and pans.
Hanging your pots and pans in the kitchen is actually a two-fold win. Think about it: not only do you open up cabinet space for more snacks/spices/dishtowels, but you get some instant decoration. A thoughtfully placed pan alongside a cabinet or hung tastefully on the wall will add a touch of class to any kitchen setup, whether spacious or not.
Of course, pots and pans aren’t the only kitchen items that can be reorganized with a little attention to vertical space. Spatulas, strainers, pot holders, and more can make elegant and effective storage.
Sort by color to bring inspiration to your organizational efforts
Who doesn’t love a good pop of color? It’s thought that organizing by color is not only a great way to bring a little creativity to the home, but also to quickly and efficiently identify your belongings. Papers to file away? Put ‘em in the red bin. Holiday decorations that have somehow still managed to sit out? Throw ‘em in the blue bin. And so on, and so forth.
The great thing about organizing-by-color is that it gives you a little more autonomy in the process. Choose your favorite colors and get to work! By the time you’re done, you’ll be looking for more things to sort away into your colorful bins.
Keep your daily routine at the forefront of your organization
Of course, none of the above is useful if, well, you don’t put it into practice. That’s why our last time – and perhaps one of the most important – is to keep your daily routine in mind while going about your organizational efforts. Think about what you do when you come home after a long day. Maybe you throw your keys and workbag down, drop your coat on the couch, and slide your shoes off. How can you make that process more organized? Anything from setting up a coat stand and key hooks to simply putting aside space specifically for shoes can help you keep your space clutter-free.
This applies to just about every routine that you may have. Whether getting ready in the morning or meal planning for the week, the way that you operate in your space (and of course, the way you use the things in your home) is of the utmost importance to consider. Remember: don’t just organize because you think you should. Organize your space for YOU – because it’ll end up making your life a little less stressful, and therefore easier to live.
Want more top organization, decor, and home lifestyle tips? Feel free to check out the rest of the Rently blog!
