Struggling with clutter? Discover 10 easy home organizing hacks I use to keep a clutter-free home. From small space organization tricks to clever storage hacks, I’ll share how I organize, declutter, and maintain an organized house.
Studies show we spend an average of 3,680 hours (153 days) of our lives looking for misplaced items. No wonder I used to feel stressed in my own house! After one too many frantic mornings myself, I decided it was time to get serious about getting organized at home. I’ve learned a ton along the way, and I’m excited to share my favorite home organizing hacks that have transformed my life. These tips are easy to follow, and they work whether you have a spacious house or a small apartment.
(Psst… I’m a 57-something mom with a full-time job, so if I can do this, anyone can!)
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Hack #1: Declutter First for a Clutter-Free Home
I know, I know—“declutter” isn’t the most exciting word. I used to dread it too. But trust me, you can’t organize clutter. The first step in any organizing journey is to get rid of the excess stuff that’s weighing you down. I started by tackling one area at a time: one weekend I did the hallway closet, another day I sorted through the junk drawer. It was less overwhelming than trying to declutter the whole house at once.
- The 80/20 rule in action: I discovered that 80% of the items we keep are rarely or never used. Let that sink in! We’re basically shuffling around stuff we don’t even need. When I read that statistic, it gave me the push to finally let go of things I was “saving just in case.”
- “Does it spark joy?”: You’ve probably heard Marie Kondo’s famous mantra. As cheesy as it sounds, asking myself if an item truly brings me joy (or is actually useful) helped me part with a lot of things. If it doesn’t spark joy, it’s just taking up space.
- One in, one out: Now, for every new item I bring into my home, I try to remove one. Bought a new pair of shoes? I donate an old pair. This simple rule keeps my house organization (or house organisation for my UK friends) in check by preventing new clutter from piling up.
The result of my decluttering spree? Less stuff to manage means instant stress relief. Getting rid of clutter can eliminate 40% of housework on average – it’s less to clean and organize! I noticed I spend way less time tidying up now that everything left has a purpose or place.
Hack #2: Give Everything a “Home” (Organize by Zones)
Ever hear the phrase “a place for everything and everything in its place”? This is my golden rule now. Once I whittled down my belongings, I made sure every item has a designated spot. Think of it like kindergarten cubbies, but for your house. If you know where something lives, you won’t toss it on the nearest surface to deal with “later.”
Here are a few small space organization tips I use to assign everything a home:
- Use trays and baskets: Corral like-items together. I have a cute tray on my coffee table for remotes and coasters, and baskets on shelves for things like extra cables and chargers. It instantly makes random items look tidy and intentional.
- Designate zones by activity: For example, I created a coffee station in one corner of my kitchen. All the coffee mugs, beans, sugar, and the coffee machine live there. In the family room, we have a “game night” cabinet with all the board games and decks of cards. By grouping items by their purpose, it’s easier to find what I need.
- Label, label, label: If you tend to forget where things go (or family members conveniently “forget”), labels are a game-changer. I’ve labeled my pantry jars and the kids’ toy bins. You can use a fancy label maker or simple stickers. When everything is clearly labeled, it encourages everyone in the house to return things to their rightful place. A friend of mine even labeled her fridge shelves (dairy, snacks, leftovers).
When each item has a “home,” maintaining a clutter-free home becomes so much easier. You’re not just organizing your stuff, you’re creating simple systems that practically run on autopilot. Now when I pick up something, I know exactly where to put it.
Hack #3: Maximize Vertical Space (Small Space Organization Magic)
Over the past 10 years, I learned one crucial lesson: when you run out of floor space, start using the walls and doors! This is my favorite hack for small space organization.
Think of your walls, ceilings, and doors as untapped real estate. By going vertical, you free up floor space and surfaces, making even a tiny room feel open and organized.
Here’s how I do it:
- Wall-mounted storage: I installed simple wall shelves in corners that were previously wasted space. Now, my living room corner features a few shelves with books and decorative items. In the kitchen, a wall-mounted pegboard holds my frequently used utensils and pans. Pegboards are extremely affordable and can be customized to suit your taste – paint them to match your decor and add hooks or small baskets for endless storage options.
- Over-the-door organizers: The backs of doors are pure gold for storage. I use an over-the-door shoe organizer on the pantry door. I stash snacks, sauce packets, and small pantry items in those clear pockets. You can also use these on closet doors for socks, accessories, or on the bathroom door for toiletries. It’s a brilliant way to add storage without sacrificing any space.
- Hooks everywhere: Command Hooks are my best friend. I’ve stuck adhesive hooks inside cabinet doors to hang oven mitts and measuring cups. I even have hooks by the front door for dog leashes. These hooks are inexpensive and surprisingly strong. Bonus: You can easily remove or reposition them, so they’re great for experimenting with different organizing setups.
By utilizing vertical surfaces, I managed to fit twice as much stuff into my tiny bathroom and narrow hallway than I thought possible. For example, I put a shelf above the bathroom door for spare towels and toilet paper – it’s high up, out of sight, but frees up my under-sink area for daily essentials. Don’t overlook the ceiling either; a friend of mine has a hanging pot rack in her kitchen since she lacks cabinet space. The takeaway: look up, look behind, and look around – storage hacks are hiding in plain sight on your walls and doors.
Hack #4: Contain the Chaos with Bins, Baskets, and Boxes
Nothing makes me feel more “put together” than neatly contained items. Instead of loose stuff scattered on a shelf, I use containers to group things and instantly make the space look orderly. This hack works in every room, trust me.
In my linen closet, I have baskets for different categories: one for hand towels, one for bath towels, one for bed sheets. When I need a fresh towel, I pull out the “towel basket” and there’s no avalanche of linens on my head. In the pantry, I use clear plastic bins for snacks, pastas, and baking supplies, so I can pull out the whole bin and find what I need. It’s like having drawers even where there aren’t any.
Storage Hacks:
- Clear containers for visibility: I’m a huge fan of transparent bins and jars, especially in the pantry and fridge. When you can see the contents, you’re less likely to forget about that bag of quinoa or the strawberries you bought. I transferred most of my dry goods (cereal, rice, flour) into clear airtight containers.
- Baskets for open storage: In areas like open shelving or the top of the fridge, nice woven baskets or fabric bins are both decorative and functional. I toss miscellaneous items in there (like lightbulbs, batteries, or pet supplies), and suddenly the shelf looks intentionally styled. I even slide a slim basket on the back of the toilet tank to hold extra toilet paper rolls – it looks way cuter than having them just sit out.
- Drawer dividers: Drawers can become jumbled jungles if you’re not careful. I outfitted my dresser and desk drawers with adjustable dividers and small boxes (you can also DIY with shoeboxes). Now, my sock drawer is organized by color, and my office drawer has compartments for pens, sticky notes, and chargers. No more digging through a chaotic junk drawer – it’s all neatly sorted. These little drawer organizer trays were inexpensive and took five minutes to install, but they save me endless frustration when I need a paperclip or a USB drive.
By containing similar items together, you prevent the dreaded “miscellaneous clutter” from building up. It also makes cleaning a breeze – I can just pull out a bin, wipe the shelf, and slide it back. And when everything is corralled in a basket or box, your home looks tidy even if inside that basket it’s just a bunch of cat toys or random knick-knacks. It’s organization magic: contain the mess, contain the stress!
Hack #5: Repurpose and DIY Your Organizers
Home organization doesn’t have to mean buying expensive, fancy organizers. Some of the best organizing hacks I use are simple DIY tricks or repurposed items that cost next to nothing. This not only saves money, but it’s also satisfying to get creative.
Budget friendly Ideas I love:
- Tension rod trick: An old tension curtain rod can work wonders in odd spaces. I fit a small tension rod under my kitchen sink, and now my spray bottles hang from it by their triggers. It freed up the cabinet floor for other supplies. I also used a tension rod as a divider in a deep baking sheet drawer – sliding it in vertically to keep cutting boards and baking trays from flopping over.
- Magazine holder magic: Those cheap magazine holders (the upright cardboard or plastic ones) are insanely versatile. I put one in my pantry to hold rolls of foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper.
- Shoe organizer for cleaning supplies: Earlier I mentioned I use an over-door shoe organizer in the pantry. I have another one on the cleaning closet door where each pocket holds a different cleaning product or tool (window cleaner, microfiber cloths, etc.). No more bottles tipping over in a bin on the floor – now I can see each item at a glance. It’s like a visual checklist of my supplies.
- DIY crafty organizers: I’m not the craftiest person, but even I could pull off a couple of simple DIY organizers. I’ve turned old shoeboxes into drawer dividers (just wrap them in pretty paper), and I used leftover mason jars to sort small items like nails and screws in the garage.
The key here is to think outside the box (literally!). Before I throw away a sturdy box, jar, or container, I ask myself, “Can this solve an organizational problem?” You’d be surprised how often the answer is yes. Repurposing everyday items not only saves money, but it also gives your home a unique, personal touch.
Hack #6: Use a Command Center to Keep Your Household Running Smoothly
I set up a family “command center” a few years ago, and it’s been a total game-changer for our busy household. Think of a command center as the brain of your home – a one-stop spot where calendars, mail, keys, and to-do lists live. Before, my fridge was plastered with school notices, and my counters were buried under mail. Now, everything has a place. Honestly, I don’t know how we functioned before this; one organizing expert even says a command center is the #1 thing she recommends to keep a family organized.
Here’s how to make yours work:
- Centralize schedules & papers: Mount a big family calendar and pin up the week’s to-dos so everyone’s on the same page. Include a hanging wall file or inbox for incoming mail and school papers – 23% of adults pay bills late because they lose them, so a designated spot for bills pays off (literally!). I no longer find crumpled permission slips in the couch cushions because they all go in our wall file..
- Add key and gadget stations: Install a couple of hooks for keys, backpacks, or the dog leash, and consider a charging station for devices. Our phones and tablets now live in one charging dock (affiliate link) by the entry, instead of scattered around. This way, we’re not frantically hunting for car keys or dealing with dead iPads before school. Keeping these everyday essentials corralled in the command center saves us so much morning stress.
- Customize it to your family: The beauty is you can set up your command center anywhere – a corner of the kitchen, a hallway wall, even the side of your fridge. Make it pretty and functional: a chalkboard for notes, a pinboard for invites, and a basket for odds and ends. I even added a small whiteboard for our dinner menu plan. Choose a ready-made organizer system or mix-and-match pieces to suit your needs. The goal is to have a go-to hub that keeps the household running smoothly, and once you have one, you’ll wonder how you lived without it!
Hack #7: Rotate Seasonal Items To Reduce Visual Clutter
One of my secret weapons for a clutter-free home is seasonal rotation. I swap out items based on the season, so I only see what I actually need. It’s like giving your home a refresh every few months! For example, come winter, I pack away summer’s flip-flops and décor, and bring out the cozy throws and holiday trimmings. This simple habit keeps my closets and surfaces from overflowing year-round. Plus, when everything has its season, nothing overflows into every room all at once.
Here are some easy rotation tips:
- Rotate toys and decor for a fresh feel: This hack isn’t just for clothes. I even rotate my kids’ toys and some decor pieces. They truly won’t miss what’s stored away. So I stash half the toys in the closet, and every few weeks we swap a bin out– it’s like toy shopping at home! The same goes for decor; I keep only a few favorite pieces out and rotate others seasonally to prevent surfaces from getting too busy. By rotating and editing your home’s contents, you create a clean, inviting space with zero effort spent digging through off-season clutter.
- Store off-season stuff out of sight: Pack up those out-of-season clothes, sports gear, and décor items instead of letting them hog precious space. I use clear plastic bins and vacuum-sealed bags to stow away things like summer dresses and pool toys during winter (Vacuum bags are a lifesaver – they shrink bulky sweaters down to pancakes.) Stick these bins on a high closet shelf, under the bed, or in the garage until they’re needed again. You’ll love the breathing room in your closets when, say, only winter coats are hanging instead of every coat you own.
- Set a seasonal swap schedule: A pro tip I learned is to rotate at the start of each season. Mark your calendar for a “season swap” day – it can be fun! Put on music, pull out your fall décor when October hits, or refresh bedding and pillows in spring colors come April. This way, you’re always prepared for the weather and your home feels timely and uncluttered. No more snow boots cluttering the mudroom in July.
Hack #8: Create a Donation Station
Decluttering used to be a “special occasion” (you know, those big weekend clean-outs). But clutter is an everyday thing, so I’ve learned to declutter continuously – and a donation station makes it super easy. A donation station is basically a dedicated spot for all the stuff you plan to donate. I keep a large lidded bin in my hall closet just for this purpose. Whenever I find an old sweater that doesn’t spark joy or a kitchen gadget I haven’t used in ages, I toss it straight into the donation bin. This simple setup has made purging items a natural part of my routine, instead of a dreaded once-a-year marathon.
Here’s how to set up your own donation station:
- Pick your spot and container: Find an out-of-the-way spot (garage, closet, laundry room corner) and put a box labeled “Donations” so everyone knows what it’s for. I repurposed a big plastic storage bin with a lid. The key is that it’s easy to drop things in. As you go about your day and stumble on things you no longer need or love, toss them in the donation box on the spot.
- Make it a family habit: I’ve told my family about our donation station, and now even the kids are on board. By involving everyone, you’re not the sole decluttering police – it becomes a normal family routine. This also sparks great “do we need this?” conversations with the kids.
- Schedule regular drop-offs: When the bin fills up, that’s your cue to donate. No procrastinating – put the box in your car and swing by your local charity or donation center on your next errand run. Having a full box ready to go means you’re way more likely to follow through and donate the items. A donation station gives you an actionable plan for that excess stuff. Plus, you get the feel-good bonus: items you don’t use will go to someone who needs them, instead of gathering dust in your house. Talk about a win-win!
- Pro tip: Your donation station can also house things like items to return to stores or hand down to friends. I keep another small tote for “returns/hand-me-downs” next to my donation box. This way, anything leaving the house is organized in one zone. Ultimately, the donation station concept is about making decluttering painless. By having a dedicated spot, you’ll train yourself (and your family) to continually edit out what you don’t need, and your home will stay so much freer of clutter.
Hack #9: Organize Digitally, Too
If you’re like me, digital clutter can sneak up just as badly as physical clutter. I realized one day that my email inbox was a disaster and my computer desktop looked like a tornado had hit. It’s no wonder I felt scatterbrained. Studies show 77% of people feel digital clutter negatively impacts their life, and I believe it! After all, it’s hard to feel calm when your phone is dinging with notifications and you can’t find that file you need. So I started applying the same organizing habits to my digital life as I do in my home. The result? Less stress, more productivity.
Don’t forget to give your digital world a decluttering makeover with these tips:
- Set digital organizing routines: Just like you might do a quick tidy of the living room each evening, build tiny digital clean-ups into your week. Every Friday, I empty my computer’s recycle bin, move that week’s documents into the right folders, and scroll through my phone deleting bad photos. It takes maybe 15 minutes.
- Tidy up your inbox: Unsubscribe from emails you never read and create simple email folders (or labels) for things like bills, work, personal, etc. I was shocked to learn the average person has over 1,000 unread emails lurking in their inbox. Now I aim for a slim inbox.
- Organize your files and photos: Take a little time to set up folders for your documents and photo collections – you’ll save yourself tons of frustration later. Americans waste around 4.5 hours each week searching for digital documents they’ve misplaced. Now I have a system: family photos sorted by year and event, work docs by project, and so on. Bonus tip: back up those files! Whether you use an external hard drive or a cloud service, having a backup means you can declutter old files from your device, knowing they’re safe elsewhere.
- Declutter your apps and desktop: Our devices need spring cleaning, too. I recently deleted dozens of unused apps from my phone – it not only freed up space, but also made my screen less overwhelming. I also cleaned up my laptop desktop, which was previously peppered with random files and screenshots. Now I just have a calming wallpaper and a few key folders. Small change, big mental relief! Digital clutter (like endless app icons and notification pings) can be just as stressful as physical clutter.
Hack #10: Make Organization a Daily Habit
You’ve decluttered, given everything a home, maximized your space, and set up great systems – awesome! Consistency is key to a truly clutter-free home. I learned this the hard way: I’d have a burst of organization energy, make everything neat, and a month later it would slowly fall apart into old habits. Sound familiar?
What changed for me was incorporating small daily habits that keep clutter from creeping back. It’s like maintenance for your space, and it’s much easier than doing big clean-outs every year.
Here’s what works for me:
- The 10-Minute Tidy: Every evening, do a quick sweep through the main living areas for 10 minutes. In that time, fluff couch pillows, toss toys back into their bins, and hang up any jackets left out. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in just a few focused minutes. Waking up to a reasonably tidy home sets a positive tone for the day.
- One-touch rule: This has been a game-changer for me. The rule is simple: whenever possible, deal with an item once instead of repeatedly handling it. For example, when I bring in mail, I sort it immediately – important mail goes to its folder, junk mail goes straight to the shredder or recycle bin. I try not to drop things “just for now” because I know “for now” often becomes “forever”.
- Regular purges: Seasonally, I do a quick sweep to identify items to donate or toss. I keep a donation box and add to it as I find things we’ve outgrown or no longer need. When it fills up, I schedule a drop-off.
- Celebrate the wins: This might not sound like a hack, but it’s essential – when you keep a space organized, even if it’s just your junk drawer finally under control, pat yourself on the back! I’ll reward myself with a fancy latte or a bubble bath after a big organizing project.
By making organization part of your daily routine, it stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a lifestyle. Now, I enjoy tidying up. It’s a way to unwind and clear my head at the end of the day. And nothing beats the satisfaction of waking up to a tidy, welcoming space each morning.
I hope these home organizing hacks inspire you to tackle your own space! Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. Even one small change, like adding an over-the-door organizer or spending 10 minutes decluttering your junk drawer, can snowball into big improvements over time. Home organization (or house organisation, however you like to spell it) is a journey, not a destination. I’m still tweaking and refining my systems as life changes (kids grow up, new hobbies come and go, etc.), and that’s okay. The goal is about creating a home that feels comfortable, works for your needs, and doesn’t stress you out with clutter.
If I can go from chaos to (mostly) clutter-free, so can you. And trust me, the peace of mind is 100% worth it. Happy organizing! 🎉
FAQ: Home Organizing Hacks
How do I start decluttering an overwhelming amount of stuff?
Starting is often the hardest part! My advice is to start small. Pick one focused area like a single drawer, a shelf, or one closet. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes and sort items into piles: keep, donate, trash. Focusing on a small section prevents burnout and gives you a quick win that can motivate you to do more. Remember, even the smallest progress (like decluttering one junk drawer) is still progress. Over time, those small efforts add up to a clutter-free home. And don’t forget to remove the donate/trash piles from your house as soon as possible so they don’t sneak back in!
What is the easiest way to organize a house?
The easiest way is to break it down and create simple systems that work for you. Start by decluttering (it’s way easier to organize less stuff). Then, assign a home for every item you decide to keep, using labels or clear bins to help you remember. Use easy fixes like baskets for loose items and hooks for things you grab often (keys, bags, coats). You don’t need to color-code everything or be super strict; just ensure there’s a logical place for your belongings. Finally, make a couple of easy home organization habits, like a quick nightly tidy or always doing dishes after meals. When your organizing methods are simple and tailored to your lifestyle, it’s easy to stick with them.
How can I organize my home on a low budget?
You can absolutely get organized without spending a fortune. First, use what you have – shoe boxes, mason jars, old baskets, and tins can all be repurposed as storage containers. Get creative: an old coffee mug can hold pens, and a sturdy cardboard box covered in cute wrapping paper can become a decorative storage bin. Second, check out dollar stores or thrift shops for inexpensive organizing tools; you’d be surprised at the baskets, bins, and jars you can find on the cheap. Command hooks (affordable and removable) are great for adding storage without investing in shelving. Lastly, consider DIY projects – for example, you can make a custom wall organizer with some scrap wood and nails, or create drawer dividers with cut cardboard.
How do I organize a small space with very little storage?
When you’re short on space, you have to get creative with storage. Start by using your vertical spaces: add wall shelves, hang things on pegboards, or use the backs of doors (with shoe organizers or hooks) to store items. Think multi-functional: use furniture that doubles as storage, like an ottoman with a compartment inside or a bed frame with drawers underneath. Utilize nooks and crannies – under the bed, under the couch, or on closet walls – with slim bins or vacuum-sealed bags for items you don’t need daily. In a small space, decluttering is even more crucial, because every inch counts. Keep only what you truly need or love, and employ small space organization tricks like nesting (storing smaller items inside larger ones) and folding things efficiently. Remember, even a tiny home can be clutter if you’re intentional about what you keep and clever about where you keep it.
How can I keep my home organized once I’ve decluttered?
The key is to maintain those good habits you started. Make tidying up part of your daily routine – it could be as simple as spending 5 minutes a day putting things back in place. Continue the “one in, one out” rule for new purchases. It’s also helpful to do a quick audit every few months: go through your spaces and remove any items that you no longer use. Easy home organization is all about consistency. Some people find it useful to schedule a regular “reset” day (like the first Sunday of the month) to re-organize any problem areas. But if you’ve given everything a proper home and you stick to returning items to where they belong, upkeep will be a breeze.
Happy organizing! 🏠✨
Sources: Citations
Lisa