Okay. The easiest way to organize all your stuff is getting rid of everything and living in a completely empty apartment or house. But, that is not going to work for most people. Fortunately, organizing what you have is easier than you might think. It just takes a bit of thinking and planning.
First Things First, before you start organizing anything, there are two things you need to do.
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Get rid of anything you don’t need. Organizing things you don’t need is a waste of time and space. It is time to let go of the clothes you wore in high school or the broken plates in the back of the cupboard.
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Deep clean your storage spaces. Why organize your stuff in dusty, dirty spaces? Pick a space and clean it from top to bottom, back to front. These two steps will make the organization process much easier.
12 Ways to Organize Your Stuff
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Designate a place for everything. An old adage, but it still carries weight. For example, when you put your bills in one spot, you know where they go and where they are when it’s time to pay them.
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Put the overflow in self-storage. If you live in a small space, or just have limited storage, you may have stuff that is just in the way. A self-storage unit can take that overflow and keep it safe.
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Consolidate small items. Do you have pens and pencils all over the place? Put them all into a pretty mug in a handy place. You can do something similar with hair accessories, office supplies, kitchen utensils, batteries, and anything else you can think of.
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Put lesser used items up high or in the back. Most people have items that they don’t use that often. Those are the items that need to go out of the way. Think the top of the closet or the back of the cupboard.
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Invest in organizers for drawers. It is so easy for items in a drawer to move around and get mixed up. Organizers can help keep them in place. Built-in organizers are optimal, but plastic ones at the dollar store are just as effective.
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Have a designated area for your daily stuff. These are your keys, wallet, purse, coat, and other items that you take with you as you leave the house. With a designated area, you will know where to find things and where to put things.
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Label everything. Okay. Not everything. But, labeling items in a cupboard can make it easy to find odd items. It also makes it easy to put things back into their designated spot.
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Use the top of your kitchen cabinets. The space between the ceiling and the tops of your cabinets can easily be used for organizing lesser used items. Pretty boxes and baskets will beautify the space and keep it organized.
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Categorize your clothes. Most people have different clothes for work, play, sleep and home. Keeping your clothing for each part of life in its own space will make keeping it organized easier. Keep common items together also.
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Keep your countertop and desk clear. When you are done with a task, take a few seconds to clean up your work area. Putting away spices, throwing away trash, and filing papers will keep your workspace organized and ready for the next task on your list.
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Think before buying anything new. When you buy new things, you are going to need a place to put them. Take a few seconds to think where you will put a new purchase. Maybe you can donate an old unused item to make space. Maybe you can do without.
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Keep things in good order. Before you put things away, perform any cleaning or maintenance required. That goes for wiping off a condiment bottle or replacing the shoelaces in your sneakers. This will keep the storage space clean and your stuff ready to go.
All of these tips will help get your stuff organized and keep it that way. You don’t have to do it all at one time. Pick one and get started. You will be surprised at how fast your stuff finds its place.