Organize Your Home For the New Year

Home Organization Made Simple 

As the new year approaches, our thoughts turn to the endless possibilities for the next 365 days. And, with a resolution based on self-improvement, how we can declutter and organize our homes. Each year we vow to have a more organized life, one where everything has its place and can be easily accessed without turning our home upside-down to locate our keys. If you’re in search of a clean, clutter-free home too, then continue reading to learn how to organize your home room by room.

1. Declutter Your Closet 

The new year sales and fast fashion make it easy to impulsively buy the latest fashion trends and add more clothing than our closet can hold. So, how to declutter your closet? We suggest approaching it from the KonMari Method® by emptying your closet and sorting your items by type and color. Once sorted, you can easily see which clothes you need to keep. And, as a tip, you can store your most-used clothing at the front of the closet for easy access.   

2. Store Toiletries in Clear Containers 

Storing bathroom items in easy-to-see, clear containers adds elegance to your space while also providing you with a quick way to check if essentials such as q-tips and cotton balls need replacing.  

3. Use Drawer Organizers 

Drawers can quickly become cluttered because of the “out of sight, out of mind” principle. Consider adding organizers to your drawers to separate items into easy-to-grab types. We love to use bamboo organizers in the bathroom. For underwear drawers, a divider can separate socks and underwear, for example.

4. Practice One In, One Out 

An alternative to home storage solutions is to practice the one-in, one-out rule. Some people practice the one-in, two-out rule. Use whichever works for you. This technique is great for children’s toys and bathroom products. The rule is simple: For every item you purchase, you remove one or two items from the same room. So a doll may replace a LEGO set, an on-offer shampoo can replace a nearly-empty one, and so on. The idea is to get you to think about the amount of things you have in your home, and actively reduce what you own for a simplified lifestyle.  

5. Store Drinks in an Attractive Cart 

During the lockdown, we all embraced our bar skills. But where to store the liqueurs and glasses? Embrace art-deco design with a handcrafted bar cart or a contemporary unit to store your glasses in style. A bar cart’s wheels allow it to be transported from the kitchen to the sitting room with ease. 

6. Keep On Top of Office Clutter 

Our office spaces may be functional, but they’re also a haven for scribbled notes and takeout wrappers. Be sure to add a waste can under your desk to keep your working environment healthy and clutter-free.  

7. Hang Cord Organizers 

Power cords can look unsightly, and can contribute to tripping hazards in both your home and workspace. Attach cord organizers on the back of your electrical items to move wires out of the way when they’re not in use to make your home safer and more attractive, too. 

8. Store Essentials in a Catch-All Tray 

If you’re always losing your keys, your wallet, or other essential small items, then you need a catch-all tray. Place one in your entranceway to keep items accessible for emergencies and office runs. A bowl works equally well.

9. Dedicate Space to Jewelry 

Timepieces and jewelry make us feel special, so it’s only right to treat them like they are luxuries, too. Boxes are just the right size to store rings, pendants, and other accessories away from prying eyes. 

10. Zone Your Home 

A good home organization considers the function of each room. A sitting room may double up as a dining room for some, whereas others may want an area to sit and read. Dividing your home up into zones and giving each zone a purpose is an excellent way of keeping your home organized. Storage cabinets, boxes, and bookcases help to keep zone-specific items where they should be, preventing you from accumulating clutter. 

11. Create a Sorting Station 

Laundry is our least-favorite task, so create a simple sorting station. You can start with just a worktop for folding and separate baskets for washing, ironing (is that still a thing?), and linens. 

12. Make Use of Decorative Storage 

Storage doesn’t have to just be practical. You can use items which combine function with sculptural beauty. This is the perfect addition to a sophisticated bathroom.   

Organization: It Doesn’t Have to be Difficult 

As you’ll see, just a few little tweaks can make your home look beautiful with minimal energy. Practically every room can be improved with home storage solutions, from bathrooms to bedrooms. Just add a few accessories here and there, and remember the principle of one in, one or two out. Your home will look better than ever this year, and you’ll have set up good maintenance habits worth cherishing. 

Interested in Getting Even More Organized? Try our Declutter Deck®, which makes decluttering and organizing your entire home a breeze.

Our 52 organizing prompts break down the home organizing process into small and manageable parts. When pulling a card, Declutter Deck® guides you through the main areas of your home that need organization. This includes many areas of the home where organization is often forgotten. Declutter Deck® shows you ways to declutter your home, including closets, pantries, laundry rooms, mud rooms, kitchens, and living spaces. It even gets you outside to declutter your car.

Organization prompts from the KonMari Method® include tidying, decluttering and organizing clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. In addition to tips and tricks from the KonMari Method® we remind you to do simple, general tasks that are often forgotten. These include card prompts such as "Make a list of home repairs and complete them" or "Clean out the trunk of your car." Each task card prompt can be accomplished in less than one hour at a time. This reduces the time spent on individual tasks and keeps you moving. All in all, these cards eliminate decision fatigue.