Please tell me I am not the only person who spends all day straightening and organizing closets, drawers, pantries, etc. only to have everything be a mess a week later. How do people stay organized? I have tried so hard to be better at staying organized this past year, and while it’s still a work in progress, I’ve noticed a little bit of a difference. There’s still plenty of room for improvement though, so I’ve looked up some tips on how to stay organized to help me and, hopefully, you as well! 

How to Stay Organized

via Home Decor

Use your trash can/recycling bin

You don’t have to organize everything that comes into your house. Junk mail, loose papers, old lists, etc. don’t need to have a permanent place in your home. Toss ‘em!

Bring fewer things into your home

Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you should purchase it. Before you buy anything that will end up in your home, make sure you’ve asked yourself if 1. you really need it, 2. if you have something similar, and 3. where it will go once it’s in your home. Think through purchases before you bring them into your home - you’ll end up moving it around and stuffing it into a corner if you haven’t thought it through!

via The Mountain View Cottage

Create a Zone for things you can’t organize right away

Some things just need to stay out - whether it’s a child’s permission slip, a package to be mailed, or returns to be made. Create one specific space where you can put items you aren’t ready to organize so you still know exactly where they are. A hall tree like this white one or a metal bin rack like this could be just what you need. Just don’t let them sit there too long!

Everything should have its place

Avoid the junk drawer and make sure that everything has a place in your home. You should know where the pens, paper, and stamps are without digging through three different drawers to find them. Think of where you will really need those items the most and try to get their “spot” in a convenient place.

Donate

Go through your clothes, toys, kitchen drawers, coat closet, etc. on a regular basis and donate things that you aren’t using anymore. Someone else may need that coat you haven’t worn in years, so why not give them the chance to find it? Make it a habit to regularly purge your belongings.

via Kelleynan

Clean as you go

Whenever you leave a room, grab something that doesn’t belong there and put it away on your way out. Used cups or dirty dishes won’t linger on the table if you pick them up and dump them in the sink as you walk past. Shoes will find their rooms if you can take a minute and move them from the hallway to the closet.

Be realistic

This is the hardest one for me. Realistically, my house will never be 100% spotless with my toddler daughter running around and pulling everything off the shelf as she goes. I could (and have) drive myself crazy if I am aiming for perfection. That’s just not in the cards right now. Figure out what is the most realistic organization goal for your family and situation, and accept that it won’t be perfect.

Do you have any tips on how to stay organized? Let us know!