My mother can organize an entire house in a single day.
As a child, I could never understand how she was able to clean the entire house, run a business, make breakfast, lunch, dinner and help me with my homework all in a day’s time. I’m certain I’ve found her secrets, though. Here are 72 creative ways to be just as organized as your mother.
How can you organize your life? There are lots of strategies for answering that question. The key point is that you have to decide where to begin your organizing and after that you move on to the next, more cluttered area. Organizing is all about having control over every aspect of your life and knowing where everything is whenever you need to get a hold of it. To become an organized person, you have to follow through on schedules and be prepared to take the time to organize everything else in your life as well. Closets, cars, schedules, and routines. You need to keep on track with everything going on in your life.
What is the most important thing?
The most important part is staying with your plan. You can’t follow through on any of your strategies if you do not maintain consistency. This is hard, especially for a person prone to procrastination or disorganization. Your entire house can be organized and labeled but if you can’t follow through with a routine or schedule, your life is far from organized. Every tip below can help you reach your goal, but if you are incapable of following your plan, no amount of labeling and decluttering will help you.
1. Write everything down
The first thing I noticed about my mother’s secret organization tricks is that she writes absolutely everything down. She doesn’t rely on her memory to do any of it; if she did, she might forget something. If you have everything written down in one place, there is no way that you will miss something or forget that important thing! Whether it’s a grocery list or reminders, writing it down helps.
2. Bullet Journal
Bullet journals are great for organizing your thoughts, life, and finances. It allows you to get creative with colors and patterns to keep track of the different aspects of your life. Forget writing in your diary about what happened at work or analyzing daily occurrences. Bullet journals are fast and effective just like the name suggests.
3. Make a schedule
There’s always so much to do and never enough time! Making a schedule is a perfect way to help you keep up with everything. Planning your day or week can make a great difference to your life. You can fit more into a day knowing what you’re meant to be doing at each hour and even enjoy that much-needed bubble bath at the end of the day.
4. Set deadline
Do you get busy with a project that just never seems to go anywhere? Setting deadlines can help you stick to your projects and prevent all your hard work from going down the drain. A deadline will keep you focused and motivated to achieve your end goals, no matter what obstacles end up in your path.
5. Make backups of photos and documents
To save yourself time, make backups. Some things just can’t be replaced and photos and documents are just two examples. Even if you are able to recover them, it will take forever! Who has that sort of free time?
Make sure your favorite picture memories are safe and that there’s more than one copy of those important documents.
6. Stop procrastinating
Oh dear procrastination… how you torture us. Does leaving everything to the last minute and burning yourself out to finish sound familiar? It’s a common struggle. Make sure to strategize for your workload and stick to your strategy instead of leaving it until it’s too late. Doing this will save you an immense amount of stress and help keep the quality of your work high.
7. Declutter, declutter, declutter
We all tend to hold on to things that we are never going to use. Things that have no sentimental value whatsoever, but you keep “just in case.” That case will never come, so toss it instead of storing it. It just takes up unnecessary space and it’s not pleasant on the eyes. Clearing those things out might just allow you to get that spinning bike you so desperately wanted but never had the space to store.
8. Apps are the future
Technology has taken over the world and it’s time for us to accept that. Apps on our phones are the future of humankind. Why not hop on the wagon and enjoy those apps with the rest of us? Many organization apps can help you get rid of unwanted things, remind you of stuff you have to remember and are mostly packed full of tips and tricks to keep your life as organized as possible.
9. Everything has a place
My mom had a motto when I was a child and it’s stuck by me after all these years. “Everything has a place.” What a motto to live by! Keep your home, (and life) tidy by keeping everything in its designated spot. Why would you want to put something where it doesn’t belong? That’s crazy! Just do a quick sweep of the house every day and make sure that everything is in the right place.
10. Clean up regularly
Cleaning up regularly can help change your mindset. You might find if a room is cluttered, you feel irritated and less motivated. Creating a clean and open space can noticeably improve your mood. With an improved mood, you’ll be able to better your focus on any work or home project. Cleaning up also doesn’t have to be kept at home; your office space and any work environment can do with a tidy from time to time.
11. Identify hotspots and keep them clean
In my home, I have a table right by the front door that’s constantly packed with mail, knickknacks and other random things that just get tossed on there. There are multiple hotspots in a home. Look at the tables or shelves that you tend to toss your keys onto or leave your coffee cups on. Those are your hotspots. Keep them tidy and your home will already look a million times more organized. Clutter is an ugly thing.
12. Throw something out when you buy something new
Out with the old, in with the new! Why do we keep things when we buy something new? You wouldn’t be buying something new if the old item was working the way it should. If something doesn’t work, of course you should replace it. But clutter gathers up quickly and then you’re stuck with one big mess. Get rid of what you don’t use. Instead of just throwing an item away, consider recycling or donating it to charity.
13. Stay away from a bargain
It’s easy to buy something just because it’s a bargain. The trick is not to fall for that trap. But that’s hard, isn’t it? Especially when something is practically being given away. The only way I can resist this is simply by avoiding things I don’t need like the plague. Bargain items only serve one purpose and that’s to cause even more clutter in a house.
14. Put things away immediately
Along with my mother’s “everything has a place” rule, she had the “one-touch” rule. This meant that you should only touch something once, use it, and put it back immediately. This just makes things so much easier. You don’t have to walk around to put away your stuff because you already did it directly after you used it. That way nothing is ever out of place and you can keep your things organized.
15. Unsubscribe from newsletters
Something that really gets my fire burning is that annoying newsletter that creeps into my inbox every day. I only subscribed because I wanted to watch the video and it wouldn’t let me watch it unless I subscribed to the newsletter. It’s a vicious cycle. Afterward, a person is too lazy to unsubscribe, and you end up with a hundred unopened emails from a toothpaste company. Take the time to unsubscribe from these newsletters and cancel your magazines that you never read, too! Oh, what a joy it is to open your email, with everything organized, and you don’t have to scroll through a thousand emails just to find one specific message.
16. Create a schedule
I have a lot of trouble sticking to a schedule. I tend to oversleep and go to bed too late, which makes me mess up that supposed schedule all the time. The important thing is to do whatever necessary to keep to that schedule. Whether it’s for work or even just getting up in the morning, if you manage to stick with it, it is awesome for keeping your life organized.
17. Bucket lists
Make a bucket list of things you want to accomplish and do this week or weekend. Set some goals for yourself to make sure you do what you really want to. Putting things in writing seems to make stuff more official, which means you have to stick to it. It’s the only way you are going to force yourself to really do the things you want to while having it all listed and organized.
18. Do one thing at a time
I sometimes still watch my mother in awe when she does something. I admire her focus. She has this superhuman power to concentrate on one thing and one thing alone. When I asked her about it she shrugged and said, “I have everything planned out and I am doing exactly what I should be doing. Why should I be worried about anything else?” It got to me, I have to admit. When you get organized enough, it’s easy to keep your mind on one thing and one thing alone. It will help you finish tasks more efficiently.
19. No exists, use it
The word “no” exists for a reason. You don’t have to say yes to storing anything. You don’t have to say yes to unexpected plans, and you don’t have to say yes to do anything for anybody. Having other people’s things around you or having to do things for them can throw off your entire routine. You don’t have to do it. The best way to keep your life organized is to say no.
20. Color coding
I don’t know anyone who dislikes a rainbow, so incorporate a rainbow into your organizing skills. Color coding is a brilliant way to keep everything in order. It’ll give you a reason to finally get everything sorted and help you remember where everything is just by memorizing simple colors. If you need to get your life together, you might as well add some color while lightening the load.
21. Store stuffed animals in a bean bag chair
I don’t know about you, but I have a mountain of stuffed animals that just takes up an enormous amount of space in my closet. I have no idea what to do with them. Then I remembered something my mother used to do when I was a child. She stuffed the animals into an empty bean bag chair. The chair was still soft, and that random pile of bears is nicely hidden away. (Not to mention the added seating space, am I right?)
22. Put away things you don’t use daily and only keep the necessities close to you
I’ve adopted a new habit of only keeping the things I really need close to me. The rest of my things are neatly packed away, easily accessible in case I do need them, but not in the way and cluttering up my entire home. Pack away the fans in winter, or the vases when you don’t have any flowers to put in them. Useless things standing around just clutter your home.
23. Junk drawers are a no
We all have that drawer somewhere in the kitchen that just has a load of junk in it. Don’t know what to do with the loose toothpick? To the drawer! How about those ketchup packets from fast-food joints? I guess it’ll go to the drawer.
No, that is the worst thing you can do when you are trying to organize your life. My mom never had the drawer. I don’t even know where I learned about doing it myself. Get rid of it. You’re never going to use any of that rubbish anyway.
24. Toilet paper rolls have more than one use
Sure, a toilet paper roll isn’t the most attractive thing, but have you ever seen what an unpleasant sight loose cables are? Simply cover the empty toilet paper roll with wrapping paper and label each cable. This will keep your cords all nice and organized. They will be easily accessible and easier on the eyes.
25. Use books to store remotes
I always look at those Tumblr images and drool over the decorations they put on tables. I usually just have a book or two, but no one ever reads those books. To solve two problems at once, cut out a square in the pages to fit your remote for the television and other electronics. It keeps those ugly remotes out of view and makes your living room look like a Tumblr photo.
26. Shower rings are cool
Shower rings are great for curtains, sure, but have you ever tried using them as scarf hangers? No? I suggest you try it as soon as possible. No more wrinkled scarves in the back of your drawers! Simply add the shower rings to a hanger and hang your scarves from them. This makes them easily accessible and easy to see. And hanging it is a great space saver.
27. Your desk is not a storage bin; keep it clean
When we get receipts, letters, files or odds and ends, where do they usually end up? That’s right. Your desk. Your desk is not a storage bin. It’s where you work, it’s where you need to be productive. Nobody wants to work in a rubbish bin, so keep that surface as clean and tidy as possible.
28. Pegboards
Pegboards are awesome to pin things to. Whether it be jewelry or your reminders to yourself, this is a nice and neat way to keep all of your reminders or jewelry in one place. If you can’t find a pegboard, magnetic boards work just as well, given you have a few magnets or steel clips laying around.
29. No monster under my bed
There can’t be any monsters beneath my bed if there is no space for it to lurk, right? Using storage containers to utilize the space under your bed is a lifesaver. Sometimes it just doesn’t seem as if there is enough space in your home for all of your things. While your bed takes up a lot of space, it doesn’t mean that you can’t use the open space beneath it. Just be careful not to get too excited. Sometimes under-bed storage can turn into the mountain that monster lives in.
30. Meal prepping
When you get home from a long day at work and have zero motivation to get cooking, meal prep meals are the perfect route to go down. There are two routes you can go down, but both require you to put one day aside and prepare your meals. Now, you can either do what I do and prep two or three meals for the week for “in case” I don’t feel like cooking, or you could prep your meals for the entire week. You don’t have to stop at dinners either! Prepare your whole week’s lunch in advance, too. That way you always know that there is something to eat even though you don’t feel like cooking. Freeze these meals so they last longer.
31. Spice racks make great organizers
Keeping your crafts nice and tidy can be a mission and a half but the best part is that you can use what you have in your house already to organize it! Who uses a spice rack anymore anyways, right? There are plenty of compartments where you can store all your crafty odds in a neat and tidy way. It doesn’t necessarily have to be crafts either. Hair accessories, small stationery you can never keep in one place on your desk, even accessories. The only limit you have is the size of whatever you wish to organize.
32. Planners
Ever make plans, only to forget the time, date, or occasion, or forget your appointment completely? A handy little planner to write down and organize all your plans is the answer for you. Having a planner is a great way to make sure you have a safe way to keep track of all your events and plans, and carrying a planner with you wherever you go means you can write down your plans before you can forget any of the details
33. You don’t have to fish to use a tackle box
My father always complained that my mother had more tackle boxes than him. This was because she liked to collect them to organize her things. One was for yarn and tailoring things, the other was for her arts and crafts and there was even one that kept all of the makeup she didn’t use on a daily basis. It keeps all of your things together yet still separate. It’s perfect for anything, really.
34. Outbox
Setting up an outbox is a great way to keep your outgoing packages together. This way you will also be sure not to forget any of your packages on the way to the post office because everything was in the outbox to begin with. Keep it where you know you will be able to see it when you leave so you always know you are not forgetting to take your packages.
35. Routines
One of the best ways to find a bit of order is to establish a good routine. Every day you can get everything done without worrying about when you’ll find time all day. A regular routine can help you manage your time and keep your life in order, without having to plan every little detail ahead.
36. CD cases are evil
CD cases can be a mess, even if you have a CD rack, and they tend to take up space. A good way to keep all your CDs and DVDs neatly in order is to store them in sleeve booklets and your glove compartment.
37. A trash can in every room
Keeping a trash can in every room in your home is a surprisingly effective way to save time and keep yourself on track. If you’re eating a snack while working, and you have to stand up and go all the way to the kitchen to throw away the wrapper, you can lose your perfect mindset or lose your focus. With a trash can nearby, you can keep your space clean without getting distracted.
38. Dual-compartment laundry hampers
Sorting laundry can be very time-consuming. Solve this problem by simply having two laundry hampers. One for dark clothing and one for light. This way you can sort your laundry as soon as you get changed. Simply put your clothes in the right hamper as you undress. If you want to make sorting laundry even simpler, you can add more hampers for cotton, wool, delicate fabrics, etc.
39. Hanging shelves can hang around a little longer
Hanging shelves aren’t only a great space-saving hack, but they are also very versatile and good for keeping things organized. The fact that you don’t have to use floor space for these shelves gives you space to put things underneath while having more than enough shelf space still.
40. Flower pots are great for kitchen supplies
Those little flower pots with the drip trays are perfect for putting next to your sink to put your wet utensils in to dry. It’s also handy for storing your sponges, steel wool and any other tool you might need for doing dishes. The fact that it’s not see-through hides the ugly content on the inside and that way everything is always stashed in the same place.
41. A second freezer in your garage
A second freezer in the garage is a surprisingly great aide. Not only do you have a backup for when your initial freezer is suddenly too full for all of your shopping goods, but you can even sort your foods, e.g. one freezer for all your frozen veggies, etc. and one freezer for all your meats.
42. Make all your hair appointments for the year at once
Hair appointments are an important part of life that can be a hassle if you don’t organize them. A good idea is to plan several of your appointments ahead of time. This way they won’t suddenly pop up and throw everything into disarray, and you can easily plan around them, especially if you keep your appointments written down in your planner.
43. Stock up your nightstand
Your bed stand always contains daily necessities that make life easier and more organized, but as soon as you run out of something, things can go bad quickly. It’s a good idea to always build up a stock of necessity, and have at least two of everything so that if you run out of pages in your notebook, you have a second one handy. You can use this idea for your vanity case and medicine cabinet, and it’s never a bad idea to build a stock of frequently used necessities.
44. Plan your outfit ahead of time
Mornings can be a disastrous rush and choosing what to wear only adds to the chaos. By planning your outfit a day or two beforehand, when you actually have the time for it, you can shave a lot of time from your morning routine and have a calmer, more organized start to the day.
45.Rotate seasonal clothes
Every season has its own styles, colors, and types when it comes to clothing. It’s always a good idea to rotate your clothes according to the season, so you don’t have to spend time digging through your closet looking for the appropriate clothing. Rotating your seasonal clothing can also help you keep your entire closet more organized, and you’ll know exactly which styles to wear every day.
46. Slip-on shelf dividers
This is a great way to save drawer space. Instead of having your jeans and gym clothes squashed into a tiny drawer, consider getting some slip-on shelf dividers to store them in instead. This is great for seeing exactly what jeans you have in your cupboard and the dividers will keep the clothes from falling over.
47. Step stools
Don’t you just hate it when you can’t reach that top shelf in your closet? You know, that one where you stored those awesome shoes that you never get to wear but like to look at every now and again? Keep a step stool nearby so you can easily reach the things you’ve stashed at the very top of your closet without a hassle.
48. Stacking bins
Storing your necessary stuff like seasonal clothing in uniformly sized stacking bins enables you to make the most of your storage space while making the things you need accessible. And if you label your bins effectively and/or use clear bins, then finding items when you need them will be fairly simple.
49. PVC pipes
There’s nothing as frustrating as trying to get a proper spot for hair styling tools. Where do I go with my flat iron? Where is my hairdryer supposed to go now? Not to mention those awful cables. PVC pipes are great for organizing your hair tools and any other large items you have. They are easy to paint the exact color you want for your room and give the area just that little extra “clean” finish.
50. Accessory ladder
Those shower curtain clips are coming in handy again. To keep your scarves, belts and other accessories nicely organized, make a chain with these shower rings. You can make them however long or short as you want for your accessories.
51. Have a caddy for anything
Caddies are just as awesome as tackle boxes for storing things. Having multiple caddies with labels describing the contents is really a good way to organize your things. Want a nice, candle-lit bath? No problem! Get out the caddy with all of your bath salts and scented candles! No hassle looking for anything.
52. Organize those keys
Looking for the right key can be frustrating, and often takes ages. How many times have you been late because you couldn’t find the car or house keys? Organizing your keys can help you avoid this unwanted treasure hunt. Organize your keys and have a designated space for every single key in your home. Knowing where to find your keys can make life a lot easier.
53. Reminder notes
If you are more of a reminder note kind of person than a sticky note one like me, you can always carry around a booklet of reminder notes that you can access at any time. You always have something to write down or remember and it’s better you be prepared than having to write it on your hand, only to find it washed off later.
54. Always keep a pen nearby
You never know when you need to write something down or fill out a form. Keep a working pen with you wherever you go to make sure you’re not caught unprepared. You can keep a second pen just to be safe. It’s not a difficult task to turn into a habit, and a good idea is to permanently have a pen or two in your purse, car, and coat pocket.
55. Swiss Army knives aren’t just for stabbing
Swiss Army knives are great for emergencies. With every little contraption hidden inside, it’s great for any sort of emergency. Being organized is all about being prepared for the worst-case scenario as well as the best-case scenario. You can get keychain Swiss Army knives too! It makes it easy to carry around and can be easily hidden.
56. Glove compartments exist for a reason
Glove compartments are great for storing all the necessities you need for the road and keeping valuable items safe while traveling. An organized person makes good use of a glove compartment.
57. Seats of cars have pockets on the back
Always keep your car manual in the pocket at the back of the car seat in case you need it. It’s easily accessible there and gives the useless little pocket a purpose.
58. Just in case might save your life
I know I said that the “just in case” collection of junk will never come in handy, but keeping a “just in case” hamper in your car might save your life or at least help you out of some sticky situations. Make sure you have everything you need in the bag, including a flashlight, extra batteries, a sleeping bag and an extra set of clothes. You never know when you might break down and need to crash in the car for a bit until help comes.
59. Charity boxes
We all have a bag of clothes or a box of goodies we want to donate to charity at one point or another. But don’t keep it in your closet, that just takes space. Keep it in the trunk of your car and drop it off when it’s full.
60. One credit card per person, please
Some people have a million different credit cards and it baffles me how they don’t get completely and utterly confused. Keep your credit cards singular. It will help you stay organized and you’ll be able to keep track of your money more easily as well.
61. Receipt depot
If you need to keep all of your receipts, why not set up a receipt depo at the door? This will allow everyone to stash their receipts and make it easier to go through it at the end of the week, sorting them into folders as necessary.
62. Internet is not reliable
An organized person is always prepared for something to go wrong. When you need the internet for your work, try to work some time into your schedule for power outages or internet problems. It will also reduce anxiety levels because you know that you are prepared and on track.
63. Budget
Finances can be a horrible, frustrating mess to deal with, especially if you end up going overboard. Avoid the mess by working out your budget regularly. Figure out how much money to spend on your necessities and bills, and put aside a monthly amount to save up for unforeseeable expenses, such as an unexpected doctor’s appointment or replacing a broken phone. Once you know how much to spend on your necessities, you’ll know how much you can spend on luxuries too.
64. Automatic withdrawals always come back to bite you
Always keep track of your automatic withdrawals. It’s sometimes easy to forget about which bills you’ve already paid online. Make sure you keep track of transactions and payments.
65. Screwdrivers are handy
Whether you are a man or a woman, screwdrivers are always handy to have around. Something always needs fixing and it’s tedious to carry around an entire toolbox. Keep a screwdriver in a drawer in the house for easy access.
66. Walls are great for storage
Walls are more than just the things that separate rooms and keep your roof up. Cover your walls with shelves and displays to use your walls as extra storage space for everything that doesn’t fit in your closets and cupboards.
67. Store car wash items in a bucket in the trunk of your car or in the garage
It’s a tedious job having to search for a bucket and soap to wash your car. Make sure you always have one in the garage or the trunk of your car.
68. Blackboards
Important events and tasks need to be announced, even to yourself. Put up a blackboard in strategic places, such as in the kitchen or beside the front door. Use this board to write important notices and tasks for the whole family to read whenever they pass by. Make sure the blackboard is clearly visible and somewhere central, and don’t be afraid to use big, bold writing for the more important things.
69. Sticky notes
You can never have enough sticky notes, and there’s nothing you can’t use them for. Carry a pack of sticky notes with you, and whenever you come across something that you need to remember, write it down and stick the note where you’ll need it the most. You can use sticky notes for phone numbers, important names, reminders, quick messages and so much more.
70. Digitize your stacks of papers
Having endless stacks of papers can be tiring and, quite frankly, it’s not easy on the eyes. Whether it’s an important letter, receipts or art from your little cousin Joey, scan it into your computer quick to keep your house and office stack-free and always know exactly where the documents are that you scanned. There’s no need for anyone to struggle with papers anymore.
71. Photo frames and chicken wire
For us obsessive jewelry collectors, things might get a little tricky when trying to store them. That was when I came across this idea that saves space and money. Remove the glass of an old frame and replace the back end with chicken wire. Next, you’ll want to hook your earrings, bracelets or necklaces on your new stand. That’s it! That’s all there is to it.
72. Most importantly, stay on time
An organized person is always on time and the reason for this is that they need to stay on track with their schedules and routines. Make sure that you are always on time and not a moment later.
Remember that organizing starts with yourself and only then can you move on to bigger parts of your life.So how about that? Do you think I finally cracked the secrets to my mother’s superhuman organization skills?