We’ve ALL organized an area only to come back a few weeks or months (or frankly, sometimes just days) later and find that the area is a mess again — it’s not staying organized. Today I’m going to give you a few tips to make sure that an area STAYS organized and you’re not having to re-organize it frequently.
Before we get going, the reality is that this is OFTEN because we have too much stuff in the space, and decluttering is the key — but I wanted to give you more tips than just that. BUT, if you think LESS would make it MORE easy — join my totally free 5 word organization challenge:
Teach The Household
Way back in the day, when my kids were little I followed some influencer who would “certify” her kids in a job. So, like how to clean the toilet — they’d watch her do it, and then they’d do it while she watched and gave tips — and when they felt ready they could “certify” and be “passed-off” on that skill. They were then ready to be a toilet cleaner.
I honestly thought it was a genius idea, but I was at a point in my life where I wasn’t able to implement that as well as I wanted to.
However, if you organize an area, I really think it’s smart to gather the people who live in the house, and use that area to show them how you planned for them to use it.
Maybe show them the labels (it’s crazy how often people ignore labels, but I think if you point them out it will help). Go through what goes where and make sure everyone’s on the same page.
Especially with your family, I think it can be smart to mention what is NOT going there any more. For instance I re-arranged our linen closet and I had towels on the bottom and only the ones that would fit there, the rest should go under their sinks — and explaining that helped
Remember, as nice as it would be for your family to read your mind, they’re really not great at that — so, while there might be some eye rolls it may make your system actually work!
I actually have some cleaning checklist printables that also teach your kids (or you) everything that needs to happen in a room, that you might find helpful:
Pretty vs Workable
Now is the time to ask yourself if you created something pretty — or if you created something that works.
There are a lot of people online who create a lot of pretty things.
They decant, they buy matching organizers (often with giant holes that I think my family would be able to have something dangle out of).
They empty all their boxes from Costco as soon as they come home.
Maybe that’s you — but for me, it’s WAY easier to just plop in the new box, and open it when we’re out of the current box.
This isn’t to say that pretty can’t be your goal. You just have to realize that pretty systems usually don’t hold as much, aren’t quite as easy to maintain… however, I do have some “pretty” stuff in our living room that works (mostly because it’s a closed bin no one can see into without opening it.
Want more organization systems that WORK — check out these posts:
- Wrapping Paper Organization
- 3 Weird Things to Clear Counter Clutter
- 5 Tips for Easy Kitchen Cabinet Organization
- The 4 Best Ways to Store Pots and Pans
- Playroom Organization Ideas: Toy storage hacks in small spaces
Better Organizers
You may have tried to make something work that just isn’t quite right.
For a long time I tried to just use amazon boxes as much as I could because I had them on hand and pennies were very tight. however, sometimes they just weren’t the right size, or were starting to fall apart, or just weren’t the right product for the area.
The good news about that, I knew a box would work, so I could head to the store with some basic measurements and find an item to replace that.
OR, for a long time I tried to use shelves to organize (even adding extra ones like these) when in reality drawers was much more helpful. So, I got something like this.
Be CAREFUL to blame it immediately on the product. Often we think that buying something else will fix an area (hello to the very profitable Container store!). However, having the RIGHT products, with the right system (and an amount that actually fits there) WILL fix an area.
For a long time I thought my issue was this, but when I applied the principles in here I realized that:
- I wasn’t clear on how I wanted that area to function
- I had more in that area than it could actually hold
- I was trying to apply a system that worked somewhere else, but would NOT work here.
I love that now I’ve applied those principles I….
- Can relax on the couch with my netflix more, instead of constantly feeling like I should organize my house
- Sleep better because I don’t feel like my stuff is creeping in on me.
- Don’t spend HOURS looking for important things, because I made them a spot (hello, car keys).
If you identify with any of those, I’d totally check it out!
Be the Example
Sometimes we think our family will just do the things, but often we have to be the example. WE have to consistently make sure that we are doing all we can to make the system work.
This may mean bringing someone to the spot to remind them how the system works and how easily they can put something away rather than just leaving it out.
And yes, it does mean we need to use the system instead of leaving our own stuff out.
I also like to say “gosh, I love how clean this front entry is when we all put our bags in the closet” real loud — so my family gets the hint. But they know I’m ALSO doing all I can to make sure it’s working.
A moment to talk about expectations – often we have the idea of a pretty system that doesn’t have any rough edges, and if you live in a home with other humans you’re likely to find that many areas are going to have rough edges. Bottles won’t be perfectly aligned, sheets won’t be folded perfectly, but it works. Pick your battles.
Every Area Needs Maintenance
Sometimes we expect a system to work well forever — and again, if you live in a home with other humans systems take maintenance. Maybe something got in there that doesn’t belong, or something broke.
Remember even GREAT systems require maintenance. Once I have systems going I try to rotate through my house, so every area gets maintained.
AND some areas just get junked up easier than other areas. My fridge systems have to be maintained weekly. I have to pull out gross food, and toss it, I have to make things are in the right areas. When I do it frequently it isn’t hard, but it’s just part of fridges.
So, just be mindful that areas that get a lot of use have to be maintained more frequently. For us that includes:
- Medications — because people already aren’t feeling well when they’re grabbing it
- Anything to do with lunches — because my kids are always in a rush in the mornings
- Bathroom/Beauty items — because I am bad at throwing things away that aren’t working, and I like to try new hair products (hello, my site is Pulling CURLS)
For you, it might be different, but that’s what came to the top of my curly head.
If you’re at a point in your life where you feel like you need systems for LOTS of areas in your home, I’d recommend joining The Organized Home. In each area it’s going to:
- Decide how you want it to function
- Declutter so you’re organizing what you need or love
- Create systems that work
I think you’ll just love it!
Not sure you’re quite ready for the full course. Come join me in the totally free 5-word organization challenge!
Leave a Reply