Affiliate links to products I love may be included. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you have set a goal to get organized this year, congratulations! Wanting to get organized is the first and most important step.
To help you achieve this goal, we have collected some of our favorite quick and easy organizing hacks. These tips will transform your space with small wins, while providing a sense of accomplishment to encourage you further. As you organize, keep in mind that our homes should not be regarded as storage units. Try to keep what you use and save what you love, but there is no need to hold on to those items that you “may need someday…”
Begin with a drawer
Pick one. It can be any drawer in any room. You can even start with the silverware drawer.
- Take everything out and clean the space.
- Toss or donate anything you no longer need or do not use. We promise this is easier to do in small batches. Analyze just one item at a time.
- Assess your drawer containers if you have them. Does the insert keep items tidy and contained? If not, it may be time to look into an upgrade. Here is the one we use (affiliate link), also pictured above!
The Container Store offers a station in each store to measure out different containers in a simulated space. It’s #genius! Measure your space, analyze what you have, and only purchase what you need.
Spruce up your fridge
It might seem daunting, but it is not nearly as difficult as it looks! Focus on cleaning and the organization will naturally follow.
- Take everything out and clean the space. Most fridge drawers are completely removable.
- Toss or donate anything that you no longer need or do not use.
- Look at EVERY expiration date. These are not merely suggestions from the manufacturer; it is also an excellent indication of how long you have owned the item and whether or not you are still using it.
- As you toss expired items, make a list of those that you would like to replace at the grocery store.
- Assess your items and think about whether it could become a category. For example, we are a ‘sauce’ family! Everything that we eat comes with a sauce. To accommodate this, I created a separate area for condiments in our fridge.
- Add a turntable. This is my ultimate suggestion for the fridge. Turntables can be life-changing, and they will make it so much easier to access the back areas of your fridge. Here is a great option:iDesign Turntable with Handles (affiliate link)
- Bonus points for labels! You can even use a chalk marker, like this set (affiliate link), to write temporary labels and re-write them as contents change.
Linen Closet Upgrade
The most crucial tip for linen closets: toss, toss, toss!
We can’t tell you how many clients have sheets that are over 10 years old. Even more have sheets that they do not use or sheets to beds that they no longer own (such as twin sheets, but the twin bed is long gone).
- Donate unused linens ASAP. Did you know that animal shelters use bedding for incoming animals? This can be an excellent, tax-deductible solution for your old bedding.
- Toss anything that is torn, stained, or old. Goodbye! Simply following this step can eliminate half of the items in your linen closet.
- Find a way to contain various linen sizes. We love using simple bins like these from The Container Store (affiliate link), but you can use almost anything. The number one suggestion is to add labels. If you don’t, it’s only a matter of time before the sizes are mixed together again.
Good luck, friends! Be sure to tag us on your organizing journey!