The average person spends 40 minutes daily looking for misplaced items—and as a mom of 5 kids, I can tell you that number feels conservative on most days! Between lost shoes, missing homework, and that one toy that’s somehow disappeared into thin air, I’ve learned that home organization isn’t about Pinterest perfection—it’s about creating systems that reduce stress and actually work for your real, chaotic, beautiful lifestyle.
Getting Started with Home Organization Tips
Before diving into specific organization strategies, it’s crucial to start with a clean slate. Learning how to declutter your home will create the foundation for all your organizational efforts—after all, you can’t organize clutter effectively.
Kitchen Organization
Use the “zone” method and organize based on how you cook:
- Upper cabinets: Daily dishes at eye level, special occasion items up high
- Lower cabinets: Heavy pots and weekly-use appliances
- Deep cabinets: Lazy susans for accessing back corners
- Clear pantry bins with labels prevent food waste
Drawer dividers that work:
- Utensil drawer: Separate everyday from specialty tools
- Junk drawer: Contain chaos with small boxes
- Food storage: Lids and containers stored together
Bedroom and Closet Solutions
Closet organization by category:
- Everyday clothes: Front and center at eye level
- Work clothes: Together on one side for easy access
- Seasonal items: Higher shelves or under-bed storage
- Special occasion: Far end but still visible
Dresser drawer organization:
- T-shirts folded to stand upright—see everything at once
- Underwear and socks in small dividers
- Matching velvet hangers prevent sliding
Living Room Systems
Toy organization for families:
- Rotation system: Only half the toys out at once
- Clear bins: Kids see contents without dumping everything
- One-bin rule: Everything must fit in designated containers
Creating designated spaces:
- Keys and wallet in a bowl by the door
- Phone chargers near seating areas
- Mail sorted immediately—trash, action, or file
For families looking to keep kids engaged while organizing, consider incorporating some fun crafts for kids that can double as organization tools—like decorated storage boxes or personalized labels that children can help create and feel proud to use.
Budget-Friendly Solutions
Dollar store hacks:
- Clear shoe boxes for drawer dividers
- Mason jars for pantry storage and craft supplies
- Tension rods for cabinet dividers
- Command strips and hooks for instant storage
Final Thoughts
Start small with one area, then build momentum. The time you invest organizing today saves stress for years. Pick one small area and begin! Once you see the immediate benefits of that first organized space, you’ll naturally feel motivated to tackle the next area. Remember that organizing is a skill that gets easier with practice, so each space you complete will go faster than the last.
Written by Annie Linder, Owner / CEO of Mom’s First Steps