Organizing your space can feel overwhelming, but breaking down a complicated project into smaller chunks helps. The following 8-step method, which we follow in our professional organization projects, can transform any space from a cluttered mess to a perfectly organized area. Expect to feel calmer and more efficient when everything is sorted and organized.
From sorting and purging to labeling and stacking bins, we’ll walk you through each stage of the organization process. In the end, you’ll have a clean, aesthetically pleasing space with tons of functionality — a clean space will also boost your mood. Let’s get started!
Take Everything Out of Your Area
The first step is to declutter by clearing everything out of the space you’re organizing. Having a clean slate makes it easier to visualize the space and is also less overwhelming. Take time to walk around the space and picture where you want items. Think about convenience and ease of access, and consider which items you want to part with.
At this point, you’ll also want to do some light cleaning. Sweep, dust, mop, and wipe down shelves and surfaces. This is the best time to clean, and while it does add more time, you’ll be glad you did it later when everything is sorted.
Categorize All of Your Items and Get Rid of Trash
Remember how we talked about which items you might want to eliminate? Sorting items is crucial to decluttering efficiently, so start grouping like items together. If you’re cleaning out a garage, for example, sort items like tools in their own pile and yard work-related items into a separate pile. Sorting items in piles will make it easier to make decluttering decisions and put things away later.
As you’re busy sorting, look for items you don’t want or need anymore. If the item is broken, expired, or irrelevant, put it in a separate pile, which you’ll deal with later. If you’re even a bit unsure about keeping the item, put it in the pile for now. You can always change your mind.
Purge Items
When you’ve piled up enough unwanted items, it’s time to sort again. As you go through the piles, you’ll want to pull out items that you no longer need. Separate these items into three piles: sell, donate, or trash. Items that might fetch a few bucks should go into the sell pile, while other items that are still usable but lack resale value should go into the donate pile. Finally, the trash pile is for everything else. Broken items, items with missing parts, and expired items should go here. Pretty simple, right?
Before you throw items away, make sure you’re following local laws and ordinances. Furniture should be taken to a landfill, or can be listed online for free pickup or scheduled for a donation pickup through the local thrift store, while some electronics, especially those with flammable lithium batteries, should be recycled at authorized locations — some retail stores such as BestBuy are good options for smaller electronics.
Get Containers for Your “Groups” of Items
Now it’s time to start placing items from the sorted piles into containers. Containers save space, and they simplify the process of packing and unpacking items for a move since items are already packed up and ready to go. There are tons of different containers out there that range in looks and price. Target has basic but functional containers that are budget-friendly. If you’re looking for something more high-end, you can’t go wrong with the Container Store, just be ready to pay a little more.
When you’re shopping for containers, it’s recommended to get ones that are easily stackable to allow you to store more items without taking up too much floor space. It’s also a good idea to get clear or semi-transparent containers. That way you don’t have to guess what items are in which containers.
Label Containers and Shelve Them
Since you’ve already separated everything into piles, it should be easy and quick to store items together in containers. Label the containers as you finish putting items inside. You can take this a step further by using a spreadsheet or app to track your containers. With a simple labeling system, you can easily see where a container is and what’s in it. Some systems even implement QR codes to make it lightning-fast to find your items.
While stacking containers is the easiest and most affordable option to organize them, it’s not the best long-term solution. Containers are less accessible when stacked, and those at the bottom tend to get damaged over time. Instead, we recommend implementing a shelving system to organize containers, which makes it easier to access items. If you have the space and the budget, shelves are the way to go.
Make Adjustments That Work for You
After spending hours or even days sorting and organizing, the last thing you want to do is start over. Spend some time using the space and thinking through the organization. If frequently used items are hard to reach, consider making them more easily accessible. Likewise, items that you don’t use often can be relegated to spaces that are harder to access. And if the whole room feels off, maybe try rearranging the whole thing. It’s a hassle, but it will be worth it when all your items are properly stored and easy to access.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask for Help
Finally, ask for help if you need it. Undertaking an organizing project can take a lot of time, especially if you’re not experienced or have struggled with finding the right system for you. If you can’t find someone to help or don’t want to be involved, you can hire a professional organizer. A professional organizing company is the ideal partner; they have the expertise to transform your space. You only need to pick which items you don’t want to keep. The experts can do the rest.
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Your space is now decluttered, organized, and ready for you to take on the day. Following these eight steps will help keep everything in its rightful place and ensure your space is enjoyable in easy to use. Although you can take on this project alone, you don’t have to. Professional organizing companies, like Clutterless Home Solutions, can take care of everything, from organizing your pantry to packing and unpacking items when moving.
Ready to start your journey to an organized, beautiful space? Contact Clutterless Home Solutions today, and let’s bring your vision to life!
