The house is a mess.  The kids are constantly playing with toys and they’re not old enough to put them away yet, so you’ve turned into a professional toy picker-upper.  You work full time, so the thought of picking up toys or doing dishes or laundry is exhausting because you’re tired and you want to spend time with your kids.  However you do want an organized house, you just don’t know where to start. Here are five easy steps that will show you how to start organizing a messy house.

Routines and habits are a huge part of a successful organization.  It takes discipline to use the system or it’s no good.

The best way to start is high level, you want to establish some basic systems before you start diving into specific rooms and projects.  You’re basically going to be touring your home and making it functional as you walk through it.

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HOW TO START ORGANIZING A MESSY HOUSE

1. Create A Drop Zone

The first thing you should do when figuring out where to start organizing is begin with your entryway.  When you walk into your house establish a system where you can hang up items immediately for jackets, backpacks, handbags, etc.

Hooks are a great organizing tool to establish this system.  Stand-alone hook pole works but wall hooks work best. This area also includes an area for your keys either a tray or a smaller wall hook specially designed for keys.

One more thing to include in this space is a place for your shoes.  Use a shoe rack or storage bins to easily store them.

Michaels and Home Goods are a great place to start for bins.  It’s all about creating a system you know you will use, so if you know you will place them on the shoe rack, use it. The shoe rack does make the space look more organized.

2. Establish a Command Center

Creating a command center is essential for maintaining order and organization in a household. This centralized hub serves as a dedicated space to manage and coordinate various aspects of daily life, from schedules and calendars to important documents and communication tools.

By consolidating these elements into one designated area, a command center streamlines information flow, reduces clutter, and facilitates effective decision-making. It becomes a go-to resource for family members to stay informed and organized, fostering a sense of control and efficiency in managing the complexities of modern life.

Overall, a well-designed command center acts as the nerve center of the home, promoting harmony and structure during our busy routines.

3. Analyze your Den/Living Room

Visit your den or living room and assess opportunities for improvement. Utilize baskets and bins to tidy up blankets and manage remote controls effectively. Evaluate the necessity of a coffee table – if you already have one, consider its contents and explore the option of incorporating storage baskets for enhanced organization. Should you need a coffee table, look for one with the capability to open and close, enabling storage within or accommodating a basket or bin for a clutter-free solution.

4. Analyze your Kitchen

(this step is interchangeable with step 3, it depends on which area you walk into first in your home)

Survey your kitchen countertops and eliminate any items contributing to clutter. If you keep small appliances on the counter, ensure they are used daily, like a coffee maker. If not, consider storing them away. For instance, we used to have a Vitamix for occasional smoothie-making, but since it wasn’t a daily essential, we removed it from the countertop, significantly reducing clutter. Evaluate your kitchen island as well, clearing unnecessary items. If you encounter items without a designated home, temporarily use storage bins or baskets to keep them organized until you find a suitable place for them.

5. Use a Toy Organizer

If you have kids, chances are you have more toys than you ever thought you’d imagine.  Get a system that allows you to easily put them in storage bins.  Get a system that allows you to have multiple storage bins available.

IKEA has quite a few to choose from that are flexible and easy to use.

Opting for a cube organizer is an excellent strategy for toy organization. The vertical design effectively addresses space constraints by maximizing vertical storage. Incorporating cube organizers contributes to an organized aesthetic. For larger toys that may not fit into bins, they can be displayed in a dedicated row.

When choosing bins for the cube organizer, maintaining uniformity in color within each row is key. Matching bins not only enhances the overall visual appeal by creating a neat and orderly appearance but also minimizes confusion.

If you prefer varied colors, consider grouping the same color in one row and repeating the pattern in the next for a cohesive and harmonious look.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Mastering the art of transforming a chaotic living space begins with understanding how to start organizing a messy house. Establishing a drop zone becomes a pivotal first step.  It provides a designated space for daily essentials and streamlining entry and exit routines.

The creation of a central command center acts as a strategic hub for household management.  It fosters efficiency in handling schedules and important information. It also brings order to the heart of the home.  Getting your kitchen and den in order by decluttering and optimizing storage solutions is the next step.

Lastly, a well-utilized toy organizer not only brings tidiness to play areas but also introduces a sense of structure and discipline to maintain a clutter-free environment.

Embracing these key strategies collectively sets the foundation for a more organized, functional, and serene living space.