Simple Rules to Organize Your Home and Make Life Easier

Basic organizing skills are one of the first steps to making life easier. With that single step in mind, I have 5 simple rules to organize your home that will help you get on your way to a blissful lifestyle! I’m not a fan of rules, but these rules are only here to help you easily begin the process of organizing your home.

Until 6 years ago, I was living in a cluttered mess of everything here and there. I was always looking for something and often felt flustered that I wasn’t able to find what I was looking for because I didn’t have a system in place. While I still have the feelings of being flustered from time to time….those feelings are few and far between. When I decided to take on the “less is more” motto, life changed for my family and we all saw the benefits in it. Over the years, I have found by having these systems in place, life runs smoother and everyone around me is much happier.

So if you’re looking for the perfect organization plan…I’d love to see it as well! In all actuality, a few simple organizing tips (like the ones below) will help you take the first step to a more organized life or continue on the journey you have already begun. In no time, an organized home will have you loving the home you live in more and more as each day passes!

Dive in below and tackle your organizing dilemma today with these simple organizing tips for the home!

Simple Rules to Organize Your Home

Rule 1: Make a list & check it off

Make a list of all the rooms in your home and come up with a vision for each room. By having a vision before you begin, you will have a goal to reach for. As you finished each item on your list, you get the satisfaction of checking or crossing it off which makes everyone happy!

Rule 2: Organize one room at a time

If you tackle too many rooms at once or look at your house as one humungous organization project, the likelihood of your home getting organized are slim to none. By only organizing one room at a time, you are most likely to succeed.

Rule 3: Combine “like” items

By keeping similar items together, it is easier to categorize them which also makes it easier to find them when you need them. Collecting like items can be in the form of broad categories. For example, arts and craft supplies can all be placed in one large bin or you could break up the supplies into smaller bins marking each one with a label, such as glue sticks, markers & crayons, etc.

Rule 4: Once and done

By only touching your items once, you are (in a way) forced to make a split second decision on what to do with the item. It takes time to get used to the “once and done” rule, but it defeats procrastination because you have to do something with it. As each item touches your hand, ask yourself (quickly):

Do I need it?
Do I love it?
Am I holding onto it for a sentimental reason?
Have I used it in the last 6-12 months?
Will I use it in the next 6-12 months?
If I don’t need it, is it trash, garage sale worthy, or a donation?

Rule 5: Enjoy your space

Rejoice or even shout it from the rooftops if you want to, but enjoy the space you have organized with anyone that will listen. Share your achievements with your friends by hosting a gathering at your home. Hearing everyone talk about how great your new space looks because of your hard work makes you feel good and also helps you want to keep it organized!

More Simple Home Organizing Tips

Magazine Storage

Only keep the specific articles that have caught your eye or you intend to read at a later date instead of keeping the entire magazine. Store the articles in a binder with sheet protectors or have a folder that houses your favorite articles. When the folder is full, take time to go through the articles and read them or throw out the ones that are not of interest to you anymore.

If you receive magazines that are not of interest to you anymore or you have already read through them, drop them off at local doctor offices and hospitals for waiting for patients to enjoy. Simply remove the label with your mailing information and drop them off with the front desk receptionist. They will appreciate your gift!

Paper Clutter

Keep a paper shredder at or near the door you enter through regularly when bringing in the mail. To avoid paper clutter, it’s necessary to throw out certain types of mail such as credit card offers. With identity theft being such a huge problem these days, shred them immediately as you walk in the door. This will not only control the paper clutter in your home, but it will also prevent anyone from ever gaining access to your personal financial information.

Get Rid of Paper Clutter Once and For All

Unwanted Items

As children grow and lives change, we often have unwanted items in our home. The best solution for these items is to consider donating them to a non-profit agency in your area. Keep a box in the garage or a hall closet and mark it as “donation.” When the box is filled, load it into the car and drop the contents off at your local non-profit. Not only are you helping others by donating your unwanted items, you are also helping yourself at tax season by taking the tax deduction. Win…win!

Do you have any other simple rules you follow to organize your home? Share them with us in the comments below.

Simple Rules to Organize Your Home and Make Life Easier