50 Tips for Organizing Your Home
50
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction
3
In the bedroom
5
In the kitchen
11
In the living room
19
In the entryway
25
In the garage
26
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME Have you been avoiding hosting that dinner party because your dining room is full of all your belongings that have no other place to go? When was the last time that chair acted like a chair rather than a coat rack? On Freshome, we focus so much on the style of your home design, showcasing trends and decorating ideas. But one thing we know will always be in style is a clean, organized space. So if your home always seems to be disorganized and messy, then it’s time for a few new tips and tricks to conquer clutter. Perhaps you have too much stuff, or you don’t have anywhere to put all of your stuff away. Most homes don’t come with all the organizational tools you need, so often you’ll have to get creative and find out what works for both your storage needs and for your space.
Start by taking a walk around your house. What types of items are on your floors and counters, or slung on the backs of chairs and across tables? You may have a system of organized chaos going on, but it’s likely that in addition to having unkempt living quarters, you’re also robbing yourself of space that could be used for purposes other than makeshift storage. You want to create storage that you’ll actually use, so make your storage system intentional. From unexpected storage in small spaces to smart and innovative ideas, we liked these organization tips for taking advantage of potentially unused or underused storage spaces. We've rounded up 50 useful, creative ways to make the most of your space at home. From the bedroom to the garage, you'll be decluttered and organized in no time.
LET'S GET STARTED
IN THE BEDROOM 1. Make your bed every day. It’s the easiest way to make your bedroom look put together
2. If your bed doesn’t have built ins, use the space under the bed for storage with containers or floor drawers.
3. Customize your closet with pullout drawers and cabinets that work for your wardrobe.
4. Take advantage of a small closet by installing shallow shelves for shoes, and flip the hanging bar in order to fit hangers.
5. Beds with builtin drawers offer a lot of extra room for belongings. We like modern, seamless drawers that blend into the bed frame.
6. If your space lacks a closet, build your own wallmounted clothing storage.
7. Use a combination of shelves and drawers to create tons of storage potential.
8. Get a bedside table with drawers to keep clutter off the top of the nightstand.
9. Hang all the same hangers for a clean aesthetic.
10. A lofted bed offers plenty of room for extra storage for kids or young adults tight on space.
11. Vacuumsealed storage bags. Use them.
12. Master the art of folding, Marie Kondo style.
13. Get serious about your shoe storage, whether that’s under the bed, on a rack, or hanging on the door.
14. If you can’t stop depositing things on your dresser top, find an attractive dish or catch all and vow to sort through it often.
15. Attractive decorative bins for your children's toys are both easy for them to get to and easy on the eyes.
IN THE KITCHEN
16. Store food in glass containers for storage that’s both attractive and functional.
17. If your kitchen lacks space, play around with open shelving to store dishes and other items.
18. Allow yourself a junk drawer. But don’t let it get out of hand, and do not let it become a catchall for things that have a specific place.
19. Place a hook above the kitchen (or laundry room sink) where justwatered hanging plants can drip.
20. Organize pots and pans, and store anything you use rarely — no need to have your Thanksgiving cookware at the ready all year.
21. Put a magazine holder to work in your kitchen by using it to vertically stash boxes of sandwich bags, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap in a cabinet.
22. Use a file organizer for something other than files — your sheet pans and cutting boards.
23. If your kitchen and dining room are open concept, get a good buffet table to store cloth napkins, placemats, china, serving platters and even silverware.
24. Create a breakfast nook with bench storage.
25. Invest in a system to better store your spices, especially the ones you use daily.
26. Streamline your kitchen utensils. Is a gadget worth saving if it only serves one purpose and is rarely, if ever, used?
27. Purge your pantry and check expiration dates.
28. Add personality to your space by displaying your favorite items creatively.
29. A twotiered coffee table is a simple way to move clutter out of sight.
IN THE LIVING ROOM 30. Make your ottoman do double duty as seating and a coffee table (or find one with builtin storage).
31. Drawers underneath the couch create additional room in space that's usually wasted.
32. Window seats double as large storage units by lifting the cushion.
33. Create your own shelving to frame a fireplace or other focal point.
34. Explore options between exterior and interior walls for unique storage solutions.
35. If your furniture doesn't have integrated storage, enhance the space by placing shelving behind the couch.
36. Use floortoceiling shelves and create your own library.
37. Use a decorative wooden ladder to hang magazines and even clothes.
38. Use an entire wall of shelves to display collectibles and other items to maximize storage and complement design.
39. Get rid of magazines that you are finished with.
40. Create a living room that can be adjusted depending on needs, whether it be easy additional seating or storage.
41. Be sure everything you own has a place.
42. Create builtins around an entertainment system to house other electronics and accessories.
39. Get rid of magazines that you are finished with.
40. Create a living room that can be adjusted depending on needs, whether it be easy additional seating or storage.
41. Be sure everything you own has a place.
42. Create builtins around an entertainment system to house other electronics and accessories.
IN THE ENTRYWAY : 43. Take advantage of the copious amount of space under the stairs for extra storage. Use the space under the stairs to create a home office. Sleek drawers below the stairs make a statement and let you display favorite items. Use shelves under the stairs as a pseudo mud room. Use the stairs themselves as drawers for unexpected storage space.
44. Use the bench in your mudroom as a place to store items.
45. Use shallow shelving in a narrow hallway to display items.
IN THE GARAGE
46. The sky's the limit — or at least the ceiling. Store seasonal or infrequently used items in the ceiling rafter or install overhead storage.
47. Keep a laundry basket in the trunk of your car for keeping groceries under control on the drive home, and easy to carry inside once you get there.
48. Add a wire basket under your deck for additional outdoor storage space to hide sports equipment, garden hoses or dog toys.
49. Hang bikes, yard tools and other large items vertically in your garage.
50. Eliminate box rifling by putting labels on everything in your garage, basement and other storage areas.
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction
3
In the bedroom
5
In the kitchen
11
In the living room
19
In the entryway
25
In the garage
26
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME Have you been avoiding hosting that dinner party because your dining room is full of all your belongings that have no other place to go? When was the last time that chair acted like a chair rather than a coat rack? On Freshome, we focus so much on the style of your home design, showcasing trends and decorating ideas. But one thing we know will always be in style is a clean, organized space. So if your home always seems to be disorganized and messy, then it’s time for a few new tips and tricks to conquer clutter. Perhaps you have too much stuff, or you don’t have anywhere to put all of your stuff away. Most homes don’t come with all the organizational tools you need, so often you’ll have to get creative and find out what works for both your storage needs and for your space.
Start by taking a walk around your house. What types of items are on your floors and counters, or slung on the backs of chairs and across tables? You may have a system of organized chaos going on, but it’s likely that in addition to having unkempt living quarters, you’re also robbing yourself of space that could be used for purposes other than makeshift storage. You want to create storage that you’ll actually use, so make your storage system intentional. From unexpected storage in small spaces to smart and innovative ideas, we liked these organization tips for taking advantage of potentially unused or underused storage spaces. We've rounded up 50 useful, creative ways to make the most of your space at home. From the bedroom to the garage, you'll be decluttered and organized in no time.
LET'S GET STARTED
IN THE BEDROOM 1. Make your bed every day. It’s the easiest way to make your bedroom look put together
2. If your bed doesn’t have built ins, use the space under the bed for storage with containers or floor drawers.
3. Customize your closet with pullout drawers and cabinets that work for your wardrobe.
4. Take advantage of a small closet by installing shallow shelves for shoes, and flip the hanging bar in order to fit hangers.
5. Beds with builtin drawers offer a lot of extra room for belongings. We like modern, seamless drawers that blend into the bed frame.
6. If your space lacks a closet, build your own wallmounted clothing storage.
7. Use a combination of shelves and drawers to create tons of storage potential.
8. Get a bedside table with drawers to keep clutter off the top of the nightstand.
9. Hang all the same hangers for a clean aesthetic.
10. A lofted bed offers plenty of room for extra storage for kids or young adults tight on space.
11. Vacuumsealed storage bags. Use them.
12. Master the art of folding, Marie Kondo style.
13. Get serious about your shoe storage, whether that’s under the bed, on a rack, or hanging on the door.
14. If you can’t stop depositing things on your dresser top, find an attractive dish or catch all and vow to sort through it often.
15. Attractive decorative bins for your children's toys are both easy for them to get to and easy on the eyes.
IN THE KITCHEN
16. Store food in glass containers for storage that’s both attractive and functional.
17. If your kitchen lacks space, play around with open shelving to store dishes and other items.
18. Allow yourself a junk drawer. But don’t let it get out of hand, and do not let it become a catchall for things that have a specific place.
19. Place a hook above the kitchen (or laundry room sink) where justwatered hanging plants can drip.
20. Organize pots and pans, and store anything you use rarely — no need to have your Thanksgiving cookware at the ready all year.
21. Put a magazine holder to work in your kitchen by using it to vertically stash boxes of sandwich bags, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap in a cabinet.
22. Use a file organizer for something other than files — your sheet pans and cutting boards.
23. If your kitchen and dining room are open concept, get a good buffet table to store cloth napkins, placemats, china, serving platters and even silverware.
24. Create a breakfast nook with bench storage.
25. Invest in a system to better store your spices, especially the ones you use daily.
26. Streamline your kitchen utensils. Is a gadget worth saving if it only serves one purpose and is rarely, if ever, used?
27. Purge your pantry and check expiration dates.
28. Add personality to your space by displaying your favorite items creatively.
29. A twotiered coffee table is a simple way to move clutter out of sight.
IN THE LIVING ROOM 30. Make your ottoman do double duty as seating and a coffee table (or find one with builtin storage).
31. Drawers underneath the couch create additional room in space that's usually wasted.
32. Window seats double as large storage units by lifting the cushion.
33. Create your own shelving to frame a fireplace or other focal point.
34. Explore options between exterior and interior walls for unique storage solutions.
35. If your furniture doesn't have integrated storage, enhance the space by placing shelving behind the couch.
36. Use floortoceiling shelves and create your own library.
37. Use a decorative wooden ladder to hang magazines and even clothes.
38. Use an entire wall of shelves to display collectibles and other items to maximize storage and complement design.
39. Get rid of magazines that you are finished with.
40. Create a living room that can be adjusted depending on needs, whether it be easy additional seating or storage.
41. Be sure everything you own has a place.
42. Create builtins around an entertainment system to house other electronics and accessories.
39. Get rid of magazines that you are finished with.
40. Create a living room that can be adjusted depending on needs, whether it be easy additional seating or storage.
41. Be sure everything you own has a place.
42. Create builtins around an entertainment system to house other electronics and accessories.
IN THE ENTRYWAY : 43. Take advantage of the copious amount of space under the stairs for extra storage. Use the space under the stairs to create a home office. Sleek drawers below the stairs make a statement and let you display favorite items. Use shelves under the stairs as a pseudo mud room. Use the stairs themselves as drawers for unexpected storage space.
44. Use the bench in your mudroom as a place to store items.
45. Use shallow shelving in a narrow hallway to display items.
IN THE GARAGE
46. The sky's the limit — or at least the ceiling. Store seasonal or infrequently used items in the ceiling rafter or install overhead storage.
47. Keep a laundry basket in the trunk of your car for keeping groceries under control on the drive home, and easy to carry inside once you get there.
48. Add a wire basket under your deck for additional outdoor storage space to hide sports equipment, garden hoses or dog toys.
49. Hang bikes, yard tools and other large items vertically in your garage.
50. Eliminate box rifling by putting labels on everything in your garage, basement and other storage areas.
