Spaces to Organize in Your Home, Based on the Time You Have

The new year has begun and I know a lot of us are dying to get started on de-cluttering, purging, and organizing everything to a magazine-worthy “T”. The truth is, not many can afford to dedicate the entire month of January to organizing (and only organizing), nor will all of our spaces be perfectly Pinterest-worthy, and if that’s your goal, it can be daunting to even begin the process of tidying for the new year. I have a list of spaces I want to tackle but I can’t allocate huge blocks of time to get it all done. THAT is daunting, also. Instead, I operate better to do what I can, when I can. Some larger areas may need to be planned for but if you aren’t starting because you think you have zero time to dedicate, I’m hoping to change your mind. Below, I’ve broken down spaces to organize in your home, based on the time you have. Some, you can even conquer while sitting on the sofa or watching an evening show. You can perform some tasks while dinner is on the stove. Several can be accomplished one morning if you wake up before the rest of your house. Or, maybe you’re killing time before having to pick your kids up from an activity. You don’t have to have a lot of time, all at once, to get a lot done.

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There are some organization projects I plan for (those with longer time commitments that actually require more organizing and not just purging). And, if you’re implementing any new systems this year (like I am in my first organization project- TBA soon!), it’s good to take measurements and determine ahead of time the kinds of bins/baskets/containers that will work best and offer the most functionally for your family, home, and space. But other “zones” can be tidied up and de-cluttered on a whim. On these types of areas (like drawers), you can stock up on organizers ahead of time that can be used across different drawers, for different contents, in different rooms. If you get several customizable sets, they should keep you busy for a while 😉 You can find a lot of different options HERE.


Scroll & Tap to Shop Drawer Organizers


Depending on your spaces and collections, some of these may fall into an earlier/latter time category but for the most part, each of these areas of organization are attainable in approximation to the timeframe category they’ve been assigned 😉

Another thing to note if you are preparing to implement a new system is that The Container Store is holding their annual Elfa sale (30% off all things Elfa). If you don’t know about Elfa systems, basically, they are custom closet storage systems that are WAY simpler (and more chic) than the wire shelving you’re probably used to. All racks, bars, and drawers run off of ONE top track (none of those horizontal bars than end up uneven). You can see our closet decked out in Elfa HERE, or our small entry coat closet HERE.

If you aren’t ready to take on an entire closet, Elfa also has those easy (no holes) back-of-the-door systems, too (HERE). (I have these on SEVERAL doors; you choose your own baskets 😉 ). This is secured with a clamp, is super sturdy, and gives zero reason to go through the torture of ruining your door to hang something with screws. (note- the shelves inside the linen closet are NOT Elfa- just the standard that was included with the house). 


Scroll & Tap to See and Shop Door System Possibilities


We usually try to Elfa one to two areas per year during their annual sale but you don’t have to go “full-on-fancy-system” to get organized. If you’re motivated to start moving out the clutter and whipping your home into shape…

  1. Make a list of every space in your house that needs attention (take inventory of all your rooms) No zone is too small to be included on the list!
  2. Make sure you have garbage bags on hand for trash and donations
  3. Pre-order a little stock of drawer organizers
  4. Have a marker/labeling pen and/or tags (I use THIS chalk marker for my clear plastic and acrylic bins)
  5. Just start!

Next time you’re thinking, “I wish I had time to get organized”, try this. If you have…


30 MINUTES OR LESS


  • 1-2 drawers in your kitchen (silverware, pots & pans, tupperware, serving ladles & spatulas, etc.)
  • Purse
  • Car glove box/console
  • Sock drawer
  • Underwear drawer
  • Greeting cards
  • Desk surface


1 HOUR


  • Under the kitchen sink
  • Game cabinet
  • Junk drawer
  • Office drawers
  • Nightstand
  • Laundry room shelves/cabinets
  • Bathroom cabinet
  • Refrigerator
  • Freezer
  • Command center (stationery desk, dedicated space in mudroom, etc.)
  • Chest of drawers/dresser
  • Bookshelf
  • Phone (delete those unused apps and photos/videos if you have them saved elsewhere, while you’re at it)
  • Buffet/china cabinet
  • Spice cabinet
  • Planner/agenda
  • Makeup
  • Home/appliance/electronic manuals
  • Bar area

Organized Spice and Baking Cabinet- Kitchen Organization- spice organization in original jars


1 AFTERNOON


  • Linen closet
  • Pantry
  • Paperwork/bills
  • Coat closet
  • Toy bins
  • Jewelry
  • Under the bed storage
  • Kitchen cabinets
  • Entertaining supplies (napkins, tablecloths, etc.)
  • “Memory” box (if you don’t have one, gather all those ticket stubs and special mementos that you can’t part with and start one. Don’t keep everything. Try to keep ONE thing from each special occasion)
  • Email inbox


1 DAY


  • Holiday bins
  • Guest bedroom closet
  • Kid’s closet
  • Tools, sports equipment, and gardening supplies

1 WEEKEND to 1 WEEK


  • Primary clothes closet
  • Entire kitchen
  • Garage
  • Basement
  • Computer (including photos, files, etc.)

While your tidying up and organizing your home, you’ll probably see a trend of junk drawer-type items popping up all around your home. Instead of leaving all those items separate and never really remembering if you have two more AA batteries or a 40w light bulb, give those items a home once and for all.


ITEMS TO WRANGLE


  • Candles
  • Light bulbs
  • Cords (including charging cables)
  • Batteries
  • Fitness-related items
  • Receipts/papers
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Decorations intended for storage
  • Pens and pads of paper
  • Chapstick, lipstick, other toiletries/makeup

I haven’t touched a single thing since the start of 2018 but I’ve already taken inventory and made a list throughout my own home. I’m so ready to go! Drawer by Drawer, container by container, and shelf by shelf – even if we’re slow moving we can accomplish a lot organizing what we can, when we can. PS: This doesn’t mean you get a pass to procrastinate til you feel like you’re in the optimum mood to start. But if time truly is your constraint, this should help. Plus, organizing is addicting. Once you start, I bet you’ll be “finding” more time all over the place to continue on your de-cluttering spree!

We’ll be starting to organize a lot around here soon (and of course, I’ll be documenting as I go) but if you want some ideas now, you can check out past organization projects HERE.

ORGANIZATION IDEAS FOR YOUR ENTIRE HOME, FROM 30 MINUTES TO A WEEKEND TO AN ENTIRE WEEK

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5 Comments

  1. 1.5.18
    June said:

    I am very impressed, you are amazing!

    I have my organization lists made but I started a diet, 2 bible studies and a new exercise class, haha. Plus it’s below 0 and I’m drinking 2 tea bag cups of tea with big sweaters and socks! Im frozen. I have many excuses.

    • 1.8.18

      June! haha!! Cut yourself a break; we are just starting out and there is plenty of time for us to work toward those goals 😉 Sounds like you are going to be a very busy lady in 2018 😉 Best of luck! xo

  2. 1.9.18

    Great, manageable ideas Kelley. I’ve already tackled a few spaces in our home. Taking a little break as I am hosting our book club on Thursday evening, so I needed things to somewhat be presentable. LOL

    • 1.10.18

      Lauren, I totally understand! I got everything whipped back into shape, just to bring all the “stuff” back out to purge. My kitchen looks like a bomb went off! Haha