1. Everything in its place:  Where to start? Find something that doesn't have a home and assign it one. Think about where you use it, when you need it, and how often you look for it. Put a label on the new home if necessary. If you put it back in its home each time you use it, you will never lose it!

 

2. Create routines: Think about your lifestyle. Cleaning, exercising, managing finances, doing homework, keeping up with laundry, running errands, and scheduling appointments.  Pick a few of the above items and determine when you will realistically do them. Put it on your calendar and keep your calendar out where you can see it. Look at it everyday. It works!

 

3.  lean as you go: You will be surprised at how tidy your house will stay if you clean up each time you finish a project. Done with the meal? Do the dishes as soon as you get up from the table. Finished getting ready in the morning? Wipe down the bathroom counter. Keep the cleaning products under the bathroom sink with extra rags to make the job quick and easy. Just had a spill in the kitchen? Grab the spray and a wet paper towel and wipe up the floor when it happens. A more thorough mopping can be completed later!  

 

4. Put it away now:  An organized home creates a place for every item. To stay organized, when you are finished using something, put it back in its home. If you do it right away, your home will not become filled with piles to clear later or unwanted clutter. This concept will also save you time and energy since the item will be handled only once, instead of multiple times as you move it from place to place.

 

5. Process the mail:  Ever wonder why we get so much mail and what to do with it all? Go directly to the trash/recycle can when you bring in your mail. Sort the mail immediately: bills, filing, recycle, trash, shred, and one for each member of the house. Once sorting is done, deposit it where it belongs. Have an inbox for each member of the family and empty it daily or weekly. Make sure you have a designated place for incoming bills. Schedule time to do bill paying and file the paperwork once this is done. If you follow this tip, paper clutter becomes a thing of the past!

 

6. Create a landing strip: Designate a place by the door where often used items or temporary projects are kept. It can be a counter, baskets, or shelves. Each member of the family has a designated spot for their items such as purses, backpacks, keys, etc. As you come and go you can locate your items quickly. Mom can check backpacks for items from the teachers more efficiently also! This also works well for items that need to be returned/delivered to stores or people when coming and going from the house. A separate basket can be designated for these return items. 

 

7. Make your systems usable: If your organizing system is not working, it may be that it is too difficult, in the wrong place, or not useable for you. Evaluate the reason  the system  is not working and alter it accordingly. Sometimes if it is new/colorful it can be more fun and also practical for the whole family! 

 

8. Start small: Pick an area of the house that needs organizing such as a closet, desk, room, counter, etc. Find a new organizing tool that works for the space. Organize the space using the new tool and make using it a new habit. Before you know it, that space is always organized and usable. This can be a fun project for the whole family. Try to include the kids and their ideas, and you may be pleasantly surprised at how well it works!