Living in a messy house can be overwhelming and stressful, but getting started on the path to organization can be daunting. These five steps will help you figure out how to start organizing your messy house, and where to declutter so you can enjoy a more peaceful and tidy living space.

1. START WITH A PLAN AND SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS

Before diving into organizing your messy house, it’s important to start with a plan. Take a look at your home and identify the areas that need the most attention. Then, set achievable goals for each area.

For example, if your kitchen is cluttered, set a goal to clear out the pantry and fridge first. Breaking down the process into smaller, achievable goals will make it easier to stay motivated and see progress. Write down your plan and goals to keep yourself accountable.

2. DECLUTTER AND GET RID OF NECESSARY ITEMS

The first step to organizing your messy house is to declutter and get rid of unnecessary items. Start by going through each room and identifying items that you no longer need or use.

Start with the highest traffic area in your house 

The entryway is typically the highest traffic area and is usually the best place to start.  Analyze what you use every single day.  For example, I need my handbag and jacket every day.  Our kids need their jackets every day right now as well since it’s winter.

Declutter Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the most commonly used gathering area of the home.  Having an organized kitchen makes things more enjoyable and perfect when an unexpected guest stops by.  

Depending on the size of your kitchen, break it up into sections:

• Drawers, Cabinets, and Pantry.   Start each section by decluttering it first.  If it hasn’t been used in the past year or it’s broken, get rid of it.  Once you have finished decluttering each section then you’ll want to analyze that space and figure out organizing products to use for that space.  
• If you are organizing your drawers, make sure to use drawer organizers to help keep items in their appropriate space.
• Acrylic clear drawer organizers work the best because they give you the best-organized look and feel.  They also match well with many different drawers.
• For the cabinets and pantry use baskets where necessary and label them.  
• Use the same bins for a consistent look and feel.  Wicker baskets or white bins work very well.  
• Also, get rid of any type of dishware that doesn’t match your current set-up.

Declutter Your Closet

We wear clothes every day.  You should love every single piece of clothing you own, it should make you feel good.  When you feel good, you put your best foot forward whether that’s in your work or other areas of your life.  

Here are some tips to help you with your closet:

• • If you haven’t worn it in the past year, get rid of it.
  • If it doesn’t make you feel good, get rid of it.
  • If it’s too small or big, get rid of it.
  • If it needs repair (button needing to be sewn, etc.) and it’s been longer than six months, get rid of it.
  • Color coordinate hanging items starting with the red and moving through the rainbow.
  • Use felt hangers that are all the same to give you a consistent look and feel.

3. CREATE DESIGNATED SPACES FOR EVERYTHING

Once you have decluttered your home, it’s important to create designated spaces for everything. This means assigning a specific spot for each item in your home.

For example, create a designated spot for your keys, mail, and shoes near the front door. This will help you avoid misplacing items and make it easier to find what you need when you need it.

We have created a hook system on the wall where it’s easy to hang up our daily items.  The kids’ hooks are lower so they can learn to hang up their own jackets.  Wall hooks are a great organizing tool to use because they are very easy to use and don’t take up too much space.

Create a Command Center 

• After your entryway has been updated, work on creating a command center that fits your family’s needs.  Create a central place where you can manage your mail and calendar.  
• Use a chalkboard or dry-erase board for a calendar.  Having a visual calendar will help keep your life organized.  Even if you only use a digital calendar, establish a visual calendar for your household so that it’s always in front of you.
• Our household uses the following:
  • Calendar Dry Erase Board– We write out our calendar on a dry-erase board so we can see every day what is going on for the month.  It’s easy to update when needed and color code it so it’s organized and easy to read.
  • Linen Board–  This is where we keep photos, kids’ art pieces, and important coupons that we want to use.
  • Hanging Letter Bin– This is used to store magazines that come in the mail.
  • Hook Holder With Tray–  The tray keeps the dry-erase markers stored there so it’s easy to update the calendar.  The hooks are used for the kids to hang their jackets there.  These hooks are great for keyholders as well.  

Create a Household Binder 

• Paper still exists in our lives. Creating a binder will serve as a resourceful resource.  The binder will become your go-to guide.  It will be your Home Bible.  It will keep you organized and allow you to become more productive because all of your important resources will be in one place.  Keep it in the same spot so you always know where it’s located.  
• Here’s how you can set up a household binder:
  • 1″ Binder
  • Binder Tabs
  • Use printables to keep pertinent information accessible
  • Create the following categories
    • Account numbers and passwords
    • Medical Information
    • School Information
    • Pet Information
    • Important Documents (Birth Certificates, Social Security Numbers, Passports)

Use storage solutions like baskets, shelves, and bins to keep items organized and easily accessible.

Remember to label everything so you can quickly identify where things belong.

4.  ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FOR TOYS

If you have kids, you understand the amount that can accumulate.  Stepping on a Lego is like giving birth, kidding sort of ;). Nothing really compares to giving birth but if you’ve stepped on a Lego, you understand.

Using cube organizers, bins, and labels will help you maintain your sanity and safety.  Keep categories broad to help the system grow with the kids.

5. MAINTAIN YOUR HOME WITH REGULAR UPKEEP

Once you have successfully organized your home, it’s important to maintain it with regular upkeep. This means taking a few minutes each day to put things back in their designated spots and doing a quick tidy-up.

It’s also helpful to schedule regular deep cleaning sessions to keep your home looking and feeling fresh. Set reminders on your calendar or phone to help you stay on track with your cleaning and organizing tasks. By making organization a habit, you can enjoy a stress-free and clutter-free home.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Figuring out where to start organizing a messy house can be overwhelming.  Just like anything in life when you start small, it makes it more manageable and achievable.

Start with the first point and then move to the next one.  Give yourself a week for each point and in a month you will have made a good dent in getting your home organized.

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