Organising? Don’t Forget the Essential First Step
Simplify the process of getting your home in order by taking it one step at a time. Here’s how to get on the right path
Both terms get bandied about when talking about tidying up your home, but organising and decluttering are very different things. Clearing clutter is removing items from your space, while organising is putting what’s left in order. Here’s why you need to do both to have a space that feels good and functions efficiently. Find out how to approach each stage in the process.
The garage principle
A good way to picture why you must clear out clutter before organising is what I like to think of as the garage principle. Imagine a garage completely crammed full of stuff – so much stuff that you can’t walk in, let alone park a car in there.
If you were simply to ‘organise’ such a space, it would perhaps look neater, with everything sorted by category and stacked up in attractive containers, but the containers would still reach the roof, and the space still wouldn’t function as anything more than a storage unit.
By clearing out the unnecessary junk first, you can create more space, which will help in the next phase when you organise what’s left.
A good way to picture why you must clear out clutter before organising is what I like to think of as the garage principle. Imagine a garage completely crammed full of stuff – so much stuff that you can’t walk in, let alone park a car in there.
If you were simply to ‘organise’ such a space, it would perhaps look neater, with everything sorted by category and stacked up in attractive containers, but the containers would still reach the roof, and the space still wouldn’t function as anything more than a storage unit.
By clearing out the unnecessary junk first, you can create more space, which will help in the next phase when you organise what’s left.
So what is clutter, exactly?
To paraphrase the words of William Morris, clutter is anything in your home you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
I would add that it also includes anything that simply does not fit within the space you currently have, and anything, material or immaterial, that does not align with the life you want to be living.
More: What Happens When You Hire a Professional Organiser?
To paraphrase the words of William Morris, clutter is anything in your home you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
I would add that it also includes anything that simply does not fit within the space you currently have, and anything, material or immaterial, that does not align with the life you want to be living.
More: What Happens When You Hire a Professional Organiser?
How much clutter-clearing is enough?
This is something that can spark intense debate. My take is that each of us must answer that question for ourselves.
We all have different comfort levels with how much stuff is in our homes – perhaps you are a minimalist at heart, but maybe you’re not. For some, being surrounded by a bounty of favourite things is a real joy. If you’re honest with yourself and look into your heart, you probably already know which camp you fall into.
This is something that can spark intense debate. My take is that each of us must answer that question for ourselves.
We all have different comfort levels with how much stuff is in our homes – perhaps you are a minimalist at heart, but maybe you’re not. For some, being surrounded by a bounty of favourite things is a real joy. If you’re honest with yourself and look into your heart, you probably already know which camp you fall into.
Where to begin?
Consider which area of your home would have the biggest positive impact on your daily life if it were decluttered and organised and start there.
Are mornings chaotic? Perhaps you could begin in the hall, so you know where your essential items are as you walk out of the door. Or if putting dinner on the table is a challenge, getting your kitchen in proper order could help things run more smoothly. Think about your day, identify a problem area, and tackle that first.
Consider which area of your home would have the biggest positive impact on your daily life if it were decluttered and organised and start there.
Are mornings chaotic? Perhaps you could begin in the hall, so you know where your essential items are as you walk out of the door. Or if putting dinner on the table is a challenge, getting your kitchen in proper order could help things run more smoothly. Think about your day, identify a problem area, and tackle that first.
Organising basics
Once the excess stuff (the clutter) has been removed, organising is much easier. The way to get a space organised depends largely on the type of storage you have available. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you get started organising.
Once the excess stuff (the clutter) has been removed, organising is much easier. The way to get a space organised depends largely on the type of storage you have available. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you get started organising.
- Keep like with like (all cutlery together, all papers together).
- Fit drawers with drawer organisers sized for the type of items you plan to store there.
- Organise shelving with stackable storage boxes or bins (good for keeping small items contained) or shelf dividers (good for keeping sweaters from toppling over).
- Organise cabinets with risers (good for dishes) or lazy Susans (good for condiments and other small items).
- Organise surfaces with trays.
- Use clear containers when possible; this makes it easier to find what you’re looking for.
- If the container is not see-through, be sure to label it with the contents.
Quick tips for decluttering and organising your wardrobe
- If you’ve been keeping clothing for purely sentimental reasons, move these items to a different location. There’s nothing wrong with keeping things because of the memories they evoke; they just don’t belong mixed in with your regular clothes.
- Get rid of clothing and accessories you can’t remember wearing in recent memory. If you’re hesitating, ask yourself why you haven’t worn the item. Is it uncomfortable? Not your style? Or do you need another piece to make it work in an outfit?
- Separate clothing that is not appropriate for the current season. You don’t need to move it out of the wardrobe; just be sure your clothes for the current season are front and centre.
- Making your wardrobe more functional doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. A high shelf, some hooks on the wall and a basket or shoe rack on the floor may be all you need.
Quick tips for decluttering and organising the garage
- Collect any hazardous materials (such as house paint) and find your nearest hazardous waste disposal service.
- Give away or sell equipment you no longer use.
- Store frequently used items closer to the door in easily accessible, wall-mounted storage.
- Store less frequently used items along the back wall or in ceiling-mounted storage.
Quick tips for decluttering and organising children’s toys
- If toys are missing a part and you think you have that part somewhere, place the item in a separate ‘lost and found’ bin until it resurfaces.
- Give away or sell toys that are clearly too young for your child.
- If you want to keep special toys as memorabilia or to hand down to a younger sibling, put them in a storage container away from the toys currently being used.
- Make toy storage easy for children to use. Think open bins and baskets, cubbyhole shelving and clear containers.
- Rotate toys. Having too many toys out at once makes clean-up more difficult and can overwhelm children. Pack up some of the toys and move them to a high shelf or a wardrobe in another room, and swap some in every few weeks or when you notice your children getting bored with the current offerings. It always amazes me how excited children get about toys they haven’t seen for a while.
Quick tips for decluttering and organising the kitchen
Do you prefer organising or clutter-clearing – or would you rather not have to do either? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
- Get rid of plastic food storage containers without lids.
- Donate unopened, long-life food items that are still good (but you know you won’t use) to a food bank.
- Give away or sell highly specialised tools and appliances you rarely (if ever) use.
- Keep frequently used tools near the surface where they are used: knives near the cutting board, wooden spoons near the hob.
Do you prefer organising or clutter-clearing – or would you rather not have to do either? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Attempting to ‘get organised’ before clearing out clutter is putting the cart before the horse, and it’s likely to waste not only a lot of energy, but money, too – on unnecessary storage containers.
Always begin by seeing what you can let go of, and physically remove it from the space before you move on to organising what’s left.
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