5 Foolproof Steps to Start Fresh and Stay Organized in ANY Space

It’s a new year– a time for reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for the year ahead. This year, as we step into 2025, many of us are finding ourselves yearning for a fresh start– not just in our personal lives, but in our physical spaces. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by clutter or unorganized spaces, you’re not alone. Recent surveys found that over half of the US population is stressed out by their messy homes and that clutter is cited as the most annoying mess of all.

Clutter and disorganization can affect every part of your well-being– from your physical health in your eating habits, to your productivity, decision-making, cortisol levels, and even your parenting style! Dedicating the upcoming year to organizing your home can be a transformative resolution that not only streamlines your living environment but also uplifts your mental well-being.  

We know that sometimes even the thought of organizing can be completely overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! Here are our 5 foolproof steps to starting fresh and staying organized in ANY space:

1. TAKE EVERYTHING OUT:

   It’s impossible to organize a space and items that you can’t see clearly. So the first step is to TAKE EVERYTHING OUT of you cabinet, drawer, or closet area and get it all on the floor so you can see it clearly and go through the item one by one.

2. THROW AWAY OR DONATE WHAT YOU DON’T USE:

   Keeping things that you don’t need or don’t use doesn’t serve you at all. That cord you’ve had for 7 years and never use? The lotion you got as a gift and don’t like the smell? If you’re not using it, GET RID OF IT. I like to have three piles– trash (or recycle), donate, and sell (for the 1-2 items that are truly valuable but you just don’t need them). 

3. GET CONTAINERS THAT FIT YOUR SPACE AND NEEDS:

   Everybody LOVES to blame their space for why they’re unorganized. And while it’s true that a small closet or funky cabinet can make organizing more difficult, there are containers to help you organize ANY space. When you look for the right container, make sure to measure your space and consider how frequently you’ll need to access the items. Our products are PERFECT for helping you organize with ease-- check them out here. 
   
   Budget tip: buying new containers for every space can get expensive. I suggest prioritizing the most difficult or frustrating spaces for new purchases and then look at your local thrift store to find baskets and bins available for cheap. 

4. PUT THINGS BACK IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR YOU:

   EVERY item should have a home– even if that’s a random “dump bin” where the odds-and-ends go. Keep items where you are most likely to need them– even if that’s unique to you. For example, I keep our daily medicines in the pantry rather than medicine cabinet for easy access.

5. KEEP THE SYSTEM. AKA: DON’T PUT IT DOWN, PUT IT AWAY:

   Nobody wants to spend time and money organizing only to have it in disarray days later. So commit to keeping the system and tweaking it as needed so it continues to serve you and your family well. The easiest way to avoid clutter is to put things away the first time. My favorite phrase for this is, "Don’t put it down. Put it away!” 

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be showing you how to use these 5 simple steps to tackle clutter in many of your spaces– from the kitchen cabinet to the bathroom under-sink to the (dreaded) craft closet.