It’s time. You’re finally getting organized. Kudos for taking the first steps. However, don’t get too self-congratulatory while you’re still in the IKEA parking lot. Getting organized is about giving everything the right place. Or sometimes, in the right donation bin. While that sounds straightforward, it’s pretty easy to choose the wrong places. This can turn your attempt at a tidier home into a wasted effort. In order to help, we’ve compiled some decluttering faux pas to save you from making home organization mistakes.
Trying to Do It in One Fell Swoop
Clutter is overwhelming and we’re not all Marie Kondo. Some of us don’t “love mess.” Certainly, most of us don’t get excited at the idea of cleaning it! Getting overwhelmed is a great way to guarantee you don’t make any organizing progress. Therefore, the best anti-clutter attack begins with decluttering and organizing one room at a time. Make sure it’s completely finished before you move on to the next. Also, don’t forget to give yourself more than the last few hours of a Sunday to clean. One rule of getting organized is that it always takes longer than you’re expecting.
Starting Without a Plan
Tidying is tidying. Organizing, on the other hand, is changing the way you live. A plan is essential to transforming your tidying into organizing. Yes, it takes longer to think about and implement a system. However, the long-term results of organizing rather than tidying helps you stay organized. Shelves allow you to tidy by getting random hoses and yard waste bags off the garage floor. Then they’re used again and tossed wherever. A well-planned system, like filling those shelves with appropriately sized, easy-to-access, labeled bins, can keep your garage stay organized long term. Don’t forget, a successful organizational strategy is one that fits your life.
Trying To Buy Your Way Into Organized
Sorry, shoppers: organization is an action, not something you can buy. Common culprits include renting storage space — which can cost $1000 per year even for a small unit! Or, you may be tempted to sink $400 into some deliciously chic, handwoven baskets. Yes, they look amazing in your living room, but are they actually keeping you organized? When you invest big in one decluttering effort, you end up feeling super accomplished. However, all you’ve done is drain your bank account — and maybe put a few things in one pricey, new container. Generally, if you can live without something for a few months or a year, you probably don’t need it.
Buying Storage Without Measuring
Shopping is fun. Measuring things is not. However, knowing the size, shape, and dimensions of organizers you need is essential to staying organized. Homeowners are constantly buying things first, and getting lured in by cute containers. Then they get home and realize the stuff they have doesn’t work for the containers. Be sure to shop for fit and function when choosing organizers.
Ignoring Your Wall Space
Sometimes the best storage option has been right next to you all along: your walls. Don’t tuck everything into a bin or take up more precious floor space with yet another shelving unit. Wall space isn’t just available and efficient, it can make storage more accessible. Add hooks to make things easy to pick up and go. Or, add floating shelves, pegboards, corner shelving, or built-ins. You can even attach finished wooden crates or hang a shoe organizer on the wall. This can transform your everyday vertical space into an organizational success!
Skipping a Labeling System
Putting labels on everything in the house may make seem like a step too far, but in reality, it can be life-changing! Labels make organizing second nature by reminding you where things belong. Additionally, they can help you train others where things belong and hopefully take some nagging out of your day!
Allowing Your Organizers to Get Disorganized
Just because your shelf is full of tidy, clear, labeled containers, doesn’t mean they actually stayed organized. In fact, these boxes can be the biggest culprits when it comes to being disorganized! It’s far too easy to just throw socks or scarves into a box, and not worry about organizing within the organizing. Dividers and smaller boxes in bigger containers can help smaller items stay neatly corralled and categorized. Try this solution inside dresser drawers for a refreshingly well-ordered dressing experience.
Ready to Get Organized?
Getting organized is not easy. However, with a step-by-step plan, and avoiding organization faux pas, it can be manageable. Need more organization tips? Check out the links below! Want more organization and home tips? Sign up for our bi-weekly enewsletter below. We’ll send blogs like this straight to your inbox!
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