We all love an organized household. The following organization hacks for the house have been tried and tested in my attempt to achieve a stress-free home environment.
1. The Magic of Vertical Storage
Take advantage of the vertical space you have to optimize storage in cramped areas. Your walls, ceilings, closets, and cabinet doors are all potential storage opportunities. Try using unexpected items like unused frames or garden hooks; your creativity is the only limit!
For example, hanging a rack on the wall for your pots and pans provides extra storage and keeps everything easily accessible. No more digging around deep cabinets on your hands and knees to find the pot or pan you need for dinner.
Kitchen organization also goes beyond aesthetic value and affects health and safety. Accidents are better mitigated when cookware is easily accessible, and there is extra space to work with. No one wants to break their back digging out equipment and utensils.
Over-the-door organizers and wall-mounted racks make house organization easy and provide stress-free access to needed items.
Also See: How to Organizer a Small Closet
2. Take Advantage of Drawer and Cabinet Dividers
I finally got a set of drawer inserts that are the perfect size for my silverware. I arranged them in a certain order, which I taught the kids, so they could adopt it when they do the dishes. It makes picking what we need from the kitchen drawers so much easier.
How often have you found yourself looking at cutlery trays in the store only to bring one home to find out it doesn’t fit? Finding the right size of cutlery trays is difficult, so I set up small containers inside the drawers to separate the cutlery.
These nifty little organizers are super affordable and keep the drawers neatly organized. You can use small organizers and DIY drawer dividers to customize each drawer according to your needs and dimensions. They are also useful in a messy closet and help organize clothing items better to keep everything neat and tidy.
Also see: How to organize dresser drawers
3. Creative and Functional Labeling
I love using clear containers in the kitchen, as you can see what is inside. This saves time and makes it less tedious to pick what I need. Some ingredients are less discernible, making it safer to label the containers.
I’ve also realized that labeling makes finding items easy for other household members and allows me to be creative with the containers. They don’t have to be clear. I use tags, color-coded stickers, and marker pens for my labeling.
Also see: 16 Dollar Store organizing ideas
4. Declutter With a Purpose
Go through every room in the house with an empty bin or trash bag, taking an inventory of items as you remove everything that you haven’t used in a while or feel is out of place.
Separate these items into piles to keep (seasonal stuff and those that are only used occasionally), donate (items that are in good shape but you don’t need or won’t use in the foreseeable future), and dispose (damaged and/or can’t be repurposed).
Separate frequently used items from less popular or seasonal items and designate spaces for them. If you use stackable containers, keep your less popular items at the bottom.
Correlate essential items that align with your decorating theme so they are not eyesores. TV remotes can be placed inside attractive baskets to maintain easy access without detracting from your organization and aesthetic.
Alternatives for reducing visual clutter are decorative boxes or repurposed jars. The instant transformation of a pile of cluttered mess into something functional is amazing.
Also see: 11 Lifestyle tips from organized moms
5. The Power of Hooks
Hooks are a versatile tool for organization and storage in the home. They help you optimize vertical storage to create extra space without clutter. You can use them to hang items like keys, bags, hats, or even cleaning tools like mops and brooms.
They come in handy when you don’t have a closet or your closet space is inadequate for your items. Hooks let you expand your closet space and extend your organization efforts.
Also see: 6 Small Room Organization Ideas to Keep Your Home Clutter Free
6. Hidden Storage Options
There are plenty of storage opportunities in areas that are commonly overlooked when organizing the house.
A great organizational hack is incorporating storage into your furniture. The day I converted my old wooden chest into a cushioned ottoman with hidden storage was a game-changer in my living room organization. Inside, I store my hand-knitted quilts and patterned rugs, all within arm’s reach. Think of the pieces of furniture you have that could secretly double as storage. If you’re handy with tools, try crafting your own hidden storage pieces; it adds a personal touch and solves storage woes.
A good number of beds also have storage drawers underneath where extra bedspreads and sheets can be stored. Or you can purchase affordable, basic under-the-bed fabric storage bags to organize your linen.
The space under the sink is also an excellent storage option, as you can keep items out of sight but within reach. I use it for my toiletries in the bathroom and the most used cleaning sprays and essentials in the kitchen.
7. Efficient Cord Management
Tangled cords and messy cables are not only an eyesore but are also a challenge to use as they are disorganized and hard to identify. They also pose safety concerns, as people can easily trip on them. If you don’t have cable sleeves, apply binder clips or repurpose paper towel holders.
8. Optimize Existing Storage Spaces
Before considering a complete overhaul, remember that enhancing what you already have makes it much easier to create extra storage space and improve organization for a stress-free home.
A shelf riser, for instance, enables you to double the storage space in your kitchen cabinets. It also doubles as an organizer, separating dishes, cookware, or pantry items on the same shelf or cabinet. A drawer organizer or drawer divider provides the same service.
You could also install a rotating Lazy Susan on your table, countertop, or in the pantry. This is another underrated decluttering solution. It enables you to easily retrieve what you want without disturbing other items.
I had one installed in my refrigerator. I no longer have to risk frostbite digging at the back for that elusive ingredient when it’s fully stocked. And we all know how frustrating it can be when items get pushed to the back and lost or forgotten about.
9. Streamline Household Routines
A well-organized routine minimizes stress and saves time for everyone in the home. When you have designated drop zones for keys, TV remotes, and wallets, you won’t find yourself turning the room upside down looking for them, so the order is easy to maintain.
I also find it more sustainable to distribute housekeeping chores than to do them all at once. Implementing a more systematic cleaning cycle in my home lets me stay on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed. This way, the entire household can also act more as a team.
Organization is an ongoing process that becomes easier to maintain if implemented consistently. So, I hope my tips and tricks have inspired you to find what works best in your own home to make things more stress-free and manageable.