10 Essential Tips for Getting Organized

70/30 Rule

If a cupboard is so full that you have to take apart half of it to reach what you are looking for it won’t stay organized. Fill up 70% with stuff and leave 30% empty to have room to find things and have space to add items.

Sort Like a Pro

The first step to organizing is sorting all of the clutter into categories. This will entail sorting items into six simple categories. We then sort again into subcategories for specific organization.

Use Up What You Have, and Dispose Expired Items

Do you have five half used bottles of shampoo under your sink? Don’t use the new product until the old product is completely used up and thrown away.

Everything Needs a Home

Nothing should permanently live on a table or the floor unless it is a decoration or furniture. Items like receipts, lost buttons, and a random puzzle piece need to find a real home.

Go Online

About 80% of paper in your home can be found online. Bills, bank statements, magazine articles, and reference materials—almost everything—can be located on the web.

Labels

There is a reason why ALL professional organizers own label makers—labeling works. Labeling drawers, shelves and bins will help everyone in the family stay on the same page.

Less is More

Don’t fill countertops and shelves to the brim with decor and knick-knacks. Having space makes the area look less chaotic and helps reduce the tendency to let clutter get out of control. It’s okay to collect certain things, but is it reasonable to have 12 sets of sheets for one bed? Does one person really need 85 pairs of socks? Let available storage space be your guide.

Double Duty

Save space by having items that can pull double duty. Don’t have multiple sets of dishes for every occasion (BBQ, Autumn, Christmas) or specific foods (pasta, sushi, dessert). One set for everyday and a formal set for special occasions should be plenty for any household.

Consistency

Buy items that match. When buying storage containers buy a lot of the same kind, which allows them to stack and store together easily. The same goes for organizers and dishware.

Know when to call in for backup

If organizing is not your strong point hiring a professional organizer is always a good idea. Not only do they have the expertise to get you organized in the most efficient and time saving way, you will have support throughout the process.