6 Systems to Stay Organized at Home

Do you remember from here, when I said, cleaning and organizing are my biggest stress busters? I am always on board to try out ways that works for me and my space so that the process is not just another horrifying task to complete. I hope this post will keep you motivated to set up some simple systems at home to stay organized! So, here are six systems to start with and stay organized at home. These are somethings that I follow and have worked for me 🙂

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1. Donation Bins

I am someone who totally believes in removing the clutter in regular intervals from my home. I have been practicing this more seriously after we moved into our own home where it is easy to always find enough space to add new stuff. To make things easier, I use donations bins/baskets to collect the stuff as and when I feel I don’t need them anymore and donate them all at once. I have donation bins in my closet to drop off the clothes and one in the garage for all the other stuff. This makes it easy for me to think of removing the clutter and also actually do it.

2. Clear Surfaces

Yes, I call it a “Clear surface” system.  Having clear surfaces everywhere (kitchen, bathroom counters, office space) not only gives aesthetic satisfaction but also motivates me to put things back in their respective places (or find a home for such stuff) rather than just dropping things on the counter. Oh before you ask, this system, in no way means clear outside and clutter inside 🙂 It only means, clear outside and clean inside! 

3. Container System  

Yes, I go crazy with containers. Almost everything in my home finds a home in a suitable container and is never let lose. Having stuff in containers help put things together and be able to find them when needed. You can use open and close containers, bins, baskets, trays, hanging organizers, empty cardboard boxes and sometimes re-purpose the stuff you already have as containers to store anything specific. Make sure to buy a storage container only after you assess what to store in them, otherwise you will end up with container clutter 🙂 

4. Labeling System 

Labeling is nothing novel but something very obviously necessary to find things easily at home.  Especially, if you are storing things in containers, labeling makes the container system more effective. My husband, mother and mother-in-law totally finds my kitchen labeling very useful. Trust me, this helped my husband to perfectly execute surprise dinners for me instead of calling me to find out where something is in the kitchen 🙂

5. Drop off zone 

This is particularly very helpful to collect all the stuff that needs to leave the house. Shopping returns, stuff to be given to others, library books are just dropped in here. This could be anywhere near the exit to your home. I use the storage ottoman by the front door as the drop off zone and remember to check it before heading out. Yes, I do remember (sometimes).

6. Visual display of accessories 

You might think that this is in contradiction to my “Clear surface” system. Let me tell you why it is not!  I love bags, watches, jewelry etc and having them displayed in an organized way not only reminds me to use them but also  quickly choose the right one. This system is not about laying out everything on the dresser or somewhere, but is about choosing the right method to systematically/artistically display such accessories that needs easy access everyday.

7. Digital Photo-frame

This is technically not a system but something that is very helpful to avoid photo print clutter (when was the last time you opened your photo album :-p) and filling the walls with zillion photo frames. A digital photo frame also makes it easy to re-visit the beautifully captured memories by adding a simple decor to your living room.

These systems are nothing fancy and very easy to adapt in your everyday life. Organizing is all about changing some habits without losing your personality.

Let me know if you already follow any of these at home or any of the above interests you.

Happy Organizing!

-Signing off