Keeping a tidy home might seem like a monumental endeavor – especially if you have kids at home. However, there are easy ways to achieve a more organized and tidy home without taking up all your free time. Keeping a house tidy isn’t nearly as time-consuming as people think it is. It’s more about creating good habits that you eventually begin following instinctively.
Doing little things frequently is much more effective than marathon organizing sessions. When you take a few extra minutes here and there, you can easily tidy your home and keep it organized. The more you follow habits, the easier they become. You don’t have to do everything at once, either. Start small, and work your way up.
This ultimate home organization guide will help you get your whole house organized!
General Tidying and Organizational Tips
1. Be kind to yourself. Done is better than perfect
This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s first on this list for a reason. Do the best you can to keep your home clean and tidy, but understand nothing is ever perfect.
For a lot of people, perfectionism is a very real quality – one that can actually become problematic when it comes to organizing your home. Something is better than nothing, and with that in mind, this list will help you make improvements, so you can get tidy once and for all, without the anxiety and frustration.
2. Make the bed as soon as you wake up
Making the bed is the first area to start. It makes you feel a little more awake, and also makes a huge difference in how tidy the room looks. Plus, it only takes a minute or two.
To make this task easier, simplify your bedding as much as possible. You can reduce the number of pillows, use a large enough duvet that you don’t need to tuck in sheets, or maybe even take off the top sheet if you don’t like it.
You can also easily fold and store your sheets on laundry day with LinenMate, so you can easily change the set without having the hassle of looking for the right size and sheets for your bed.
3. Do One Load of Laundry Per Day
If you have a big family, or even if you just have kids, you probably have a lot of laundry per week. Depending on how many loads you end up having to do per week, you may need to do a load daily to stay caught up.
If you get in the habit of putting in one load of laundry first thing in the morning, you can easily get it done quickly. This is especially perfect for stay-at-home and/or work-at-home parents. If you work outside the house and can’t dry it before you leave, you can put the machine on delay so it can be ready for the dryer when you get home. Just make sure you make time to complete the load, including putting the laundry away.
4. Do a 15-minute nightly reset/clean-up
This is a great routine to implement into your evenings. You can also have your family get involved by doing a 15-minute nightly clean up. It won’t seem as bad when everyone is doing the same thing. Set a timer and stick to the top priorities.
We highly recommend putting on some fun music and dance at the same time. And hey, if you put a little pep in your step this could double as a workout.
Kids can do their chores or their rooms while you finish up cleaning or putting away laundry. Start with the things that make the biggest mess. If you have a robot vacuum, this is also a great time to use it, especially in high traffic areas.
5. Keep your cleaning supplies handy
You’re much more likely to clean when you have your basic cleaning supplies ready in different areas of your house. For instance, in your bathrooms, you should have a spray bottle of multipurpose cleaner, microfiber clothes, and a toilet scrub brush to quickly clean up.
Do these simple tasks as needed and you’ll only spend a minute or two cleaning up. While you’ll still need to do deep cleans from time to time, this can keep your house looking, smelling and feeling a little sparkly in the meantime.
6. Don’t leave a room empty handed
This is one of the most important habits that can make an extreme difference in the tidiness of your home. As you move from one room to another, do a quick scan.
See if there is anything that you can take with you that belongs in the room to which you’re going. Take only what you have time to actually put away. You don’t want to move one mess to another.
7. Declutter where you can
You don’t have to do a huge decluttering marathon. Instead, pick a closet and have a box labeled “donate.” When you come across something you don’t need, you can toss it in the box. When it’s full, immediately put it in the car and get it out of your home! Emphasis on that last part – we all know how easy it is to procrastinate and end up with a box of giveaways for weeks...
You can also throw things away as you go. Spend 15 minutes a day if you have a lot to declutter. Get rid of what you don’t need, which will open up a lot of spaces for you to organize the things you actually love and need. Try to keep items off of the counter or kitchen table to make things more tidy and organized.
8. Pay attention to “hot spots”
Hot spots are areas that are always used, such as high traffic areas. These are areas that get cluttered or dirty fast. For instance, the counter may become a catch all for papers, or your living room might accumulate a lot of dust from walking into the home.
By knowing these high traffic areas or hot spots, you can spend a few minutes taking care of them to keep your house clean and tidy.
9. Clean as You Go
This one may seem obvious, but it’s one that often gets neglected. Things get messy very quickly if you don’t clean as you go. Clean up after yourself, such as putting your coat and shoes away as soon as you get home, or doing dishes while cooking dinner.
10. Use Baskets to Corral Items
Don’t let your stuff become jumbled together. You can use baskets to corral similar items. This will help keep your space organized and looking great!
11. Don’t Set it Down, Put it Away
“Don’t set it down, put it away” is a fun mantra to remember and recite as you go about your day. It has a nice ring to it and can work as a reminder to try not to touch an item twice. Don’t set down an item when you’re done. Instead, put it away in its rightful place.
Always keep in mind this “one touch rule”, meaning that you ideally only want to touch items one time before they are put away. Every time you touch an object to move it from one place to another you are using up precious time and energy, so make that extra little effort to put it away directly. Again, it’s really more about creating a habit than finding the time.
12. Make Storage Pretty
When your storage looks great, it’ll make you want to use it and keep your belongings organized and tidy. We all enjoy the feeling of opening your cabinets or closets to reveal a freshly organized presentation of your belongings. Add a little bit of your own style or favorite colors or patterns to it, and you’ll want to keep it looking that way.
13. Break Down Tasks
Things don’t have to all get done in a marathon cleaning session. Break down tasks to manageable pieces, which will make it much easier to find the motivation. Plus, it allows you to use your time wisely. When you have a few minutes, find a small task you can quickly accomplish to help keep your house tidy.
14. Schedule Your Cleaning
We keep our calendars full of work, family, friends, appointments and other activities. But when it comes to tidying up, we try to squeeze it in around these other activities. By penciling in time to tidy up, you can give yourself the time you need to get it done.
Try scheduling individual rooms or tasks for different days of the week. For instance: Monday – bathrooms, Tuesday – carpets, Wednesday – linens, etc, etc. Doing so will help you get in the routine of tidying up.
15. Stick to Your Routine
Once you create a routine, stick to it! It’s much easier to get things done if you do so. It makes your tasks seem much more manageable and helps keep your house tidy – not only on the days you clean it, but all week long.
16. Start in one place
If you have several areas in your home you want to get under control, start with just one. It’s easy to get distracted by another mess as you move stuff from one room to another. If you bounce from hotspot to hotspot, the first mess might never become fully clean.
To stay focused on one area, try not to leave the room too much. Instead, as you tidy up, create different piles for items based on the room they belong in. Once you’re wrapping up in that first room, bring each pile to their respective room and put them away.
17. Allow plenty of time
Don't expect organization to happen overnight. Give yourself a break and take your time organizing each space so you don’t feel so stressed or time-crunched.
18. Aim for consistency, not marathon organization
Doing things frequently, cleaning as you go, and making time for organization is much more effective than doing one marathon session and letting it go again. Changes in habit, such as spending a few minutes here and there can help you keep a tidy house, once and for all!
Kitchen Organization Tips
A kitchen is often called the heart of a home. It’s where you eat, gather, entertain guests, and share many special moments. A good setup can make or break your space.
Tidying a kitchen can take a lot of work, especially if it’s a small space. Luckily, you can easily organize your kitchen with these tips!
19. Repurpose what you can
Up-cycling containers is easy. Avoid buying containers without thinking of what you can already use to tidy up your kitchen. You’ll end up buying things you don’t need or that won’t work for you and your home.
20. Organize the fridge
Organize your fridge for maximum space and less waste. Consider using clear bins, putting items together, and rotating so the newest things are in the back, and the things you need to use are front and center.
21. Declutter as you go
You don’t need to spend a bunch of time decluttering. If you open the fridge and see something that needs to be eaten or tossed, eat or throw it away.
Same goes with things in cabinets or the pantry. Marathon sessions aren’t as effective as a little work each day, and this could take seconds while cooking or cleaning up.
22. Build out the storage you really need
You don’t need to add custom storage everywhere. It may look pretty but may not work for you and your home. Only build out storage that you really need that would be of use to you and your family.
23. Swap out boring bins
Use pretty storage to make your cabinets look more appealing. This isn’t only fun to look at, but also will make you want to keep things nice and tidy!
24. Experiment with color coordination
Consider using color coordination for different things in your kitchen, such as pots and pans, pantry staples, and more. Do what makes sense for your life and you’ll be able to save a ton of time finding things!
25. “File” your baking sheets and muffin tins
You can easily use file folder holders or similar organization tools to file your muffin tins and baking sheets. This will save you space and help you find your favorite cookie sheet in no time.
26. Use Rotating Trays
Rotating trays, AKA turntables or Lazy Susans, placed in your cabinets or on your refrigerator shelves are perfect for finding things! You can maximize your space and have easy access to all the ingredients you need.
27. Use drawer dividers everywhere you can
Drawer dividers help you streamline your utensils, kitchen gadgets, tools, and more! Use them where you can to help keep things nice and tidy so you aren’t spending more time looking for what you actually need!
28. Have a plan for plastic bags
If you use plastic bags, have a dedicated spot for them. This will help make sure they aren’t all over the place. Reduce plastic where you can, but for the plastic bags you do reuse, make sure they’re kept in an organized manner!
29. Add clear bins
Clear bins help you easily see what’s inside. They’re perfect for so many things, from storing fruits and veggies in the fridge to organizing everyday spices you use regularly. Plus, these look really nice, and you’ll save time!
30. Use a rolling cart
A rolling cart can hold numerous items. You can use it for happy hour or for whatever works for you and your family! You can organize school supplies for homework to easily move with your kids, or use it for something else. They’re handy, space saving, and add extra storage.
31. Make a dedicated coffee station
A dedicated coffee station, with all your supplies organized will really help decrease time you spend in the morning when you’re Jonesin’ for some caffeine! Coffee stations also look great and can serve as a focal point in your kitchen. They’re especially lovely when you’re entertaining guests!
32. Declutter utensils
Another helpful tip is to declutter your utensil drawer, as you spend so much time in it each day. Make sure you keep the everyday items in one drawer, and organize the other utensils separately. It’s best to store fancier sets or specialty utensils in a different area so that they’re kept clean and easily accessible when you need them.
33. Consider open shelving
This may not be possible for everyone, but this is a great tip if you can swing it. Open shelving creates so much accountability. Since everyone can see what you have, it makes it easier to
keep clean and tidy. Plus, you can use your everyday items as decor by color coordinating and using statement pieces!
34. Declutter and organize the pantry
The pantry shouldn’t be a catch-all. It should be a place where everything is easy to find and organized. Having your pantry organized means you can easily cook and fight off the urge to get take out rather than find everything you need for your meal.
Bathroom Organization Tips
35. Purge expired products
Even bathroom products have expiration dates. Look at your medicines, make up and cosmetics, toothbrushes, paste, and more. You can ask your pharmacy about returning old medications to safely recycle, and get rid of any unwanted or expired products to save space and reduce clutter.
36. Create categories of products and items
Create different categories of similar items and products. This is customizable as each person uses different products. Choose categories that make sense for you and your lifestyle. You might think of grouping together medications, hair care, cosmetics, and more.
37. Get rid of duplicate products or items you don’t want
Duplicates can take up a lot of space. For instance, do you really need to have 9 of the same mascaras hanging around? Or are you holding onto a product you hate just because you don’t want to waste it?
Do yourself a favor and declutter what you have more than one of, or what you just plain don’t like. You can donate it to a woman’s shelter if it isn’t open, or give it to a friend or family member if it is. Let go of the things that don’t serve you, and your house will be much tidier!
38. If necessary, restock the essentials
Evaluate what you need more of, whether that’s organizing tools or more shampoo. Don’t go overboard. The goal is to organize and declutter, not add more to the mess. But if you’re running low on essentials, now is a great time to replenish them!
Linen Closet Organization Tips
39. Purge non-essential linens
Get rid of everything that you don’t need. Purge all the miscellaneous items that you don’t want or need. This will help clear out space for the things that you really love and enjoy.
40. Always put things away clean and dry
Don't risk ruining your favorite things by putting them away musty or damp. They won’t dry correctly and they’ll get ruined.
41. Sort and organize linens by category
You can easily sort and identify your linens with a folding and storage solution like LinenMate, to fold and store them with ease and style. Go a step further and organize by extra sheet sets, flannel and winter sets, summer sets, and guest sets.
You can also choose to organize by bed size if there are many different size beds in your home. Regardless of how you organize, LinenMate makes it easy to label them and find them quickly when needed.
42. Use bins, baskets & boxes to store and separate your linens
You can use different bins, baskets and boxes to store and separate your linens to make them easy to find. This is especially easy with LinenMate.
43. Don't forget about fabric bags and space saving bags
Fabric bags and space saving bags can help reduce the size of oversized comforters and duvet covers. You can use space saving bags, such as vacuum bags to really reduce the bulk of your linen closet.
44. Store sets of sheets in LinenMate
LinenMate allows you to easily fold your sheets (even fitted ones!), store, and organize them. The window and organization tag also allows you to easily identify them, making them great for organizing all of the linens in your home!
45. Label your linens
If you use LinenMate, you can already label your linens. It’s a good idea to label so you aren’t wondering if you’re grabbing the wrong set. It can be hard enough to make a bed – don’t waste time with the wrong sheets that aren’t even the correct size! Easily label to help keep you and your family organized!
46. Come up with a folding solution that works for you
Everyone’s closet is different. Try to find a suitable folding and storage solution for your sheets and bedding that will be easy for you to keep up with on the regular. This is why a system like LinenMate is so perfect for every type of family.
Our solution will take the time out of organizing your linen closet. You can even fold pesky fitted sheets in no time!
47. Try to fold everything the same way
Doing this makes your space more organized. You can use a folding system like LinenMate to achieve low-effort, flawless folding that keeps your linens looking and feeling great!
Laundry Room Organization
Ahh, the laundry. The never ending stack of clothes that always needs to be done. Luckily, you can make your laundry room a place you actually want to spend time – one of style and function when you implement the following tips!
48. Use magnetic clips to hang lost socks
Is there anything worse than looking for a sock that doesn’t have its mate? Use magnetic clips to hang lost socks so when you find the other, you can easily pair them back up again. This will take the headache out of finding your socks, and make sure that they get back into sock rotation.
49. Hang an ironing board
No one likes a bulky ironing board, but no one likes leaving the house with wrinkled clothing (or at least one would hope so). Try hanging up your ironing board on the wall to keep it off of your floor, but readily accessible when you need it.
50. Shelf brackets make great hanger holders
Empty hangers are important. They make it easy to hang clothes as they come out of the dryer, plus they are great to have for things that need to be hung-dry. Store extra hangers in the laundry room with shelf brackets to keep them close, organized, and handy.
51. Keep your essentials close
Keep your essentials close with magnetic organizers. These are perfect for going on your washer or dryer, which is a handy magnetic surface.
Many ignore this, but doing so can really maximize your space! A magnetic rack can help keep everything organized, from laundry soap to just about anything else you need!
52. Hang a rail for maximum space usage
A rail on the ceiling is a great way to stockpile items, store extra hangers, or hang up clothes – all without taking up floor space or any wall space.
53. Make the most out of your appliances by writing notes on them!
This clever little tip is really smart! Did you know that you can easily write notes ON your washer or dryer? Use a smart erase marker to communicate with family, write down your laundry shopping list, or leave yourself a funny joke to laugh at later. Hey, anything to make laundry more enjoyable, right?
With this tip, you won’t have to worry about kids or spouses drying your favorite sweater – you can simply leave a note.
54. Store away your dry erase markers in a magnetic cup
Writing notes on your appliances is a fun idea, until you’ve lost all of the dry erase markers... If you’re going to be using your appliances for notes, you’ll need to make sure you have your markers and erasers easily on hand and accessible.
You can use a little magnetic cup to hold these items to easily write on and erase the note when the laundry is all finished!
55. Label storage baskets with clothespins
Use storage baskets to corral similar materials. For instance, detergents can go in a basket if you use more than one kind, clothespins in one, dryer sheets in another.
Label each storage basket with clothespins. You can even paint the clothespins and use pretty labels to really make a statement.
56. Use glass canisters for detergent pods & dryer sheets
Since you’ve cleared out your kitchen, you may have empty glass canisters that you can repurpose. Or, you may choose to buy some to store detergent pods, dryer sheets, and more. They’ll look gorgeous, and you’ll be able to easily identify what’s inside the glass canisters.
57. Hang up brooms and mops
You can easily hang your brooms or mops with zip ties. Hang them up to keep them from falling over and taking up floor space.
58. Use a wall mounted drying rack
Easily use a wall mounted drying rack to save space and hang up your clothes that shouldn’t be dried. This will keep your clothes and your linens in tip top shape, as well as save room.
Bedroom Organization
Your bedroom should be a place of rest and relaxation. It’s where you get your beauty sleep, spend time with your partner, and reset after a long day. Use these organizational tips to make the most of your safe haven.
59. Do a wardrobe cleanse
Go through your clothes. You probably don’t wear everything. Take a pointer from Marie Kondo’s book, and cleanse the clothes that no longer “bring you joy”.
Keep what you love, but get rid of everything that you haven’t worn in a long time, that’s no longer in style, or that you just don’t need. You can feel good about your cleanse by donating gently used items that you no longer want or need. Win-win!
60. Fold sweaters
Fold your sweaters to keep them in tip top shape and to keep them safe. Plus, you can rest easy knowing you know exactly where they are! Sweater weather is our favorite time of year, and it’ll be yours too now that you know how to properly store them!
61. Hang with a plan
Don’t just hang your clothes without thinking about it. Make sure you thoughtfully consider what will be hung and what will go in drawers. Also consider using felt hangers to keep your clothes from falling off, and to make sure you don’t damage your fabrics.
62. Color code
You can easily color code your closet or drawers so you know exactly where all of your clothes are. This will make it easy to get ready, put clothes away, and organize! And if you have a particularly colorful style, your closet has the potential of being super aesthetically-pleasing.
63. Shelf or hang bags
If you have a lot of purses and/or bags, either shelf them or hang them up. You can get specialized hangers to make the most out of your space. Just make sure that you hang your bags safely so they don't stretch out or pull the fabric over time.
64. Keep drawers tidy
Keep your drawers tidy so you can easily find what you’re looking for. You can use drawer organizers in many different sizes, so you can easily store small things like undergarments and socks, as well as larger things like sweaters. It’ll keep your drawers looking great and reduce the time you spend looking for just the right outfit!
65. Design shoe storage to fit your life
If you’re a shoe person, you might consider designing your own shoe storage so you can keep your shoes organized and tidy. You don’t want to be searching for your perfect strappy heel when you’re supposed to be out the door! Figuring out an easy, yet organized shoe storage solution will help maximize your space and reduce time looking for the pair you want.
66. Use LinenMate for your extra sheet sets
Most of us store sheets in the linen closet. However, it’s a great idea to keep one extra set in the bedroom closet for easy access.
We’ve all had nights where your sick kid climbs into bed, and next thing you know you need to change the sheets. Or maybe another accident happens that may require a super quick change. Use LinenMate to easily fold, store, and identify your extra set so you can get back to a peaceful night’s sleep in no time at all!
67. Organize clothes based on the season
One way to give your closet a little breathing room during different times of the year is by organizing based on the season. During the summer, you can store your favorite jackets, coats, scarves and heavy sweaters in a different closet, under the bed or in another less accessible space. And during the winter, you can swap out these items for your more summery outfits.
Garage Organization
68. Get rid of what you don’t need
Mark off areas of your driveway or get dedicated tarps to sort items into three piles: keep, sell or donate, and throw away. Things that you should get rid of include broken items, toys your children have outgrown, expired household chemicals, and anything you haven’t used in more than two years. You can always take pictures of items that are sentimental if you have a hard time letting go.
69. Keep things off the floor
When possible, store things off of the garage floor. There are a ton of organization tools, hooks, and shelving units to help store your items. They'll not only be safer, but it'll look a lot less sloppy and be easier to sort through the items you do choose to keep.
70. Conserve space with vertical organizing systems
Vertical organizing systems make the most of empty wall space that can easily be used for storing items. There are a ton of options, including track based systems, pegboards, and panelized systems.
71. Use your overhead space wisely
The garage ceiling opens up further potential for storage, such as long, flat items you don't use on a daily basis. You can hang seasonal sports gear and ladders. Just make sure that what you hang doesn't interfere with garage door operation.
72. Build a workbench if you or your spouse is a DIYer
A workbench can store away tools, keep everything in one place, and look great in your garage. Alternatively, you can buy one, but they can get pricey. Either way, a bench is a wonderful way to make sure all supplies are together next time you decide to work on a project.
Keeping it up – General tips
73. Once a year, do a deeper declutter with your give away/sell, trash, and keep stations
Doing this will make sure the clutter bug doesn’t come back to bite you. This will help your house stay organized and tidy, year after year.
74. Make time to maintain
Taking a few extra minutes each day to tidy up is a great way to keep chaos at bay. Once your house is organized and tidy, and everything in your home has a place, it’s A LOT easier to maintain. A few minutes each night or whenever you have extra time is all it should take to maintain!
75. Celebrate small victories!
Don’t forget to take the time to celebrate all that you have accomplished! You might think of having a dinner party, or a girl’s night, or whatever else you enjoy in your newly organized and tidy home. You did the work, so thank yourself for a job well done, and celebrate your accomplishment in working to make your house a home!
