Tips for a Tidy Home

Organization comes from conquering chaos. Although a simple concept, it is a little bit harder to put into action. But don’t let this overwhelm you. By getting rid of some clutter, establishing some cleaning routines, and putting a few new rules into practice, your home will be tidy in no time.

Let’s start with a basic rule for organization: Everything must have a home. Following this rule will change the way you store things in your home. This rule is very important for achieving an organized home. Every item that you own should have a permanent storage space, which is referred to as its “home”. If it is impossible for you to designate a place for all of the items in your home, you either need more storage or less stuff. Having a place for every item and like items will mean never having to dig through baskets of miscellaneous items with your fingers crossed, and you will be amazed at how easy it is to quickly tidy up.

Put it away! You may be thinking "what’s the big deal? It’s just a piece of paper/a pen/a cup/a rubber band/a pair of shoes. Does it really even matter?" Yes, yes it does! One thing quickly turns into four things, and then ten, and then you have piles everywhere. Make an effort to put things away in their “home” as soon as you are finished using them. As you are walking through your home and notice things out of place, put them away. Taking the extra minute to put things where they belong keeps your home looking clutter-free and fabulously tidy.

Get rid of excess. Only keep what you use. Don’t hold onto things unless you know you will, without a doubt, need it in the future. This will be easier for some than others. Store items that are irreplaceable or expensive to replace. Get rid of items that are easy and inexpensive to replace. And remember chances are, if you haven’t used it in a year, you probably won’t need to use it anytime soon.

Keep a regular cleaning schedule. If you are picking up and putting away items as you go, your cleaning list should be short, but set aside a time every week to really focus on getting your home in shape. Some people prefer working on one room a day, and whatever works for you is great, but make it a regular routine to put into practice your new tidy home habits.

Article by Amber Burkhart