A professional organizer shares the small habits that can help you manage clutter for good.
There is no right way to organize.
You don’t need to buy an expensive storage system or throw out half your belongings.
Credit: Brie Williams
Wolf believes most messes can be fixed with recycled containers and common-sense labeling.
Start by adopting these organizing rules to help you get your house in order and keep it that way.
Change your thinking about organizing.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Organizing is an ongoing practice, which means you’re never fully done.
Don’t let the size of your project stop you from getting started.
Doing something, even if it’s small, is better than doing nothing.
Credit: Adam Albright
You’ll also need to grant yourself permission to let things go.
Be prepared to get messy.
Getting organized often requires making a mess first.
Credit: Jay Wilde
To help you sort through all your clutter, follow Wolf’s process for each room.
You’ll need a staging area and five boxes (or grocery bags or laundry baskets).
Label each with one of these categories: donate, trash, recycle, shred, and other rooms.
Credit: Adam Albright
Focus on the items that are out of place or those that weigh you down physically or emotionally.
Remember that this process can take time.
“It’s OK to take your time with decluttering and organization,” Wolf says.
Credit: Ann VanderWiel Wilde
“We’re busy people.
There’s no need to rush it as long as you do something.”
Once you’ve let go of the stuff you no longer need, the items leftover are the keepers.
Credit: Adam Albright
It’s time to deliver items in your “other rooms” box to where you will use them.
Put binder clips with pencils to create an office supplies category.
Merge bandages and ointments with first aid supplies.
Credit: David Prince
Get creative with storage containers.
The good news is you probably have what you need on hand.
Put a Label on It.
Labeling is all about making things easy to access.
it’s possible for you to also print typed labels from a label maker.
Stop the paper clutter.
Your first line ofdefense against paper clutteris opening mail as soon as it comes in the house.
Organize your digital clutter.
If you’re buried underdigital clutterfrom e-mails, notifications, and social media, try theseorganizing tipsfor your technology.
“Snooze” e-mails that don’t require your attention, and choose when they return to your inbox.
TryBoomerang for Gmailto schedule when you send and receive messages.
Keep a junk drawer.
This catch-all space allows you to store several different types of items in one convenient spot.
Be sure it’s located in an easy-to-access spot and beware not to overcrowd the drawer.
Make your drawer work better by fitting it with small containers that bring order to small items.
