The secret to a tidy home isn't buying more bins, it's creating smarter systems that work with your lifestyle, not against it.
Why it matters: An organized home saves you time and reduces stress. Instead of hunting for lost keys or staring at chaotic countertops, you can spend more time actually enjoying your home.
1. Fight the Urge to Purge
Many people think organizing means purging everything in sight, but the real goal is being intentional about what you keep.
"Purging is a natural part of the organizing process, but not the end goal. If you threw out everything you owned, you would still technically be organized – you would just be a Buddhist monk," said Ben Soreff, a professional organizer at H2H Organizing.
Shift your focus to what you're keeping and why, and where it should live in your space.
2. Match Storage to Your Room, Not Your Stuff
Your storage solutions can and should be part of your décor. The key is choosing containers that match your room's aesthetic, not the items you're hiding inside.
"If you are storing kids' toys, that doesn't mean you have to use a toy chest or brightly colored bins. You can easily use containers that blend in with your living room décor, such as water hyacinth baskets or a nice ottoman," said Amélie Saint-Jacques, professional home organizer and certified KonMari consultant. "That way, when things have been tidied up and put away, you have something that looks like a living room instead of a daycare."
Smart storage should look like an intentional part of your living space, not an afterthought.
3. Work with Your Habits, Not Against Them
The most effective organizing systems are ones you'll actually use long-term and are based around your habits.
"I always advise clients to work with their natural tendencies, not against them,” Saint-Jacques said. “If they tend to drop their jacket on the floor when they walk in, because the closet is too far. Instead of telling them to just make the effort to go to the closet, I will suggest installing hooks or a coat rack in that spot."
Before you organize any space, think about how you naturally use it. If mail always piles up on the kitchen counter, you might need a mail system right there instead of tucked away in a different room.
4. Contain Clutter with Catch-Alls
Clutter is inevitable, but research shows a consistently cluttered home is actually detrimental to your health - and maybe even your finances.
Flat surfaces in entryways and kitchens are clutter magnets. Once a space looks messy, it's surprisingly easy to keep adding to the pile, so you want to contain the chaos before it spreads.
"I often suggest having a holding tray or bowl for these types of items. It looks neater when loose items are contained,” said Hester Van Hien, home decluttering and organizing consultant and owner of Tidylicious. “Once the bowl or tray gets a bit too full, or you have a bit of time and energy, sort through the bowl and tidy everything away.”A decorative bowl or tray provides a perfect, low-effort way to keep everyday items like keys and mail from taking over your countertops.
One trick is to set a 15-minute timer once a day or even once or twice a week to put things in their place.
5. Make Hidden Spaces Work Harder
There is valuable storage real estate in your home hidden in plain sight. Thinking creatively about unused nooks can free up significant space in your main living areas.
"An area often overlooked, but if used in the right way, can give you lots of extra storage space, is the inside of doors. When you attach some hooks or over-the-door hangers on the inside of a door, you can use these to hang up bicycle helmets, umbrellas, skates, and bags," Van Hien said.
Check the back of your pantry, closet, and mudroom doors. This vertical space works perfectly for slim storage solutions that keep items accessible but out of sight. Take thinking outside the box a step further – a shoe organizer on the back of the pantry door can hold utensils and tools, a magazine holder mounted to your your pantry door can hold aluminum foil and plastic wrap.
6. Choose Furniture That Multitasks
For storage in smaller homes, or anyone looking to maximize their space, choosing furniture that pulls double duty is essential. Don’t settle for just a coffee table when you could have a coffee table with hidden storage.
"I like items that are functional, yet also help hold and hide clutter. I particularly like storage ottomans, coffee tables with storage, and benches that include cubbies in which you can slide bins," Saint-Jacques said.
Look for pieces that are both beautiful and functional to get the most value out of every square foot.
7. Prime Your Storage Zones First
Before you can effectively organize your main living areas, you need a destination for all the items you don't use regularly.
"Set up the attic, basement, and garage to receive all the items you don't use often," Soreff said. "If you can free up space in the attic and basement, you can take items that are taking up valuable living space."
Designate clear zones in your garage or basement for specific categories, like holiday decorations or bulk supplies, before you start moving things out of your living room.
The Bottom Line
Organizing your home doesn't require perfection or expensive systems. It requires understanding how you live and creating simple solutions that support your daily routines. Start with one area, apply these strategies, and watch how small changes can make your entire home feel more peaceful and functional.
The clutter battle may be ongoing, but with the right approach, you'll find yourself winning more often than not.
Michael Letendre
Michael Letendre is a writer for NewHomeSource and Builder Magazine.