If you ever wish you could close the door on a space in your home because it makes you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. Many of us face the terrible realization that we have too much stuff – yet we don’t know exactly where to start or what to do with it. This can cause anxiety to creep in without realizing it because managing all the stuff in our homes becomes overwhelming.
If you are ready to tackle some of those chaotic areas in your life, here are 3 areas in your home that you need to organize – and why!
1. Primary closet. Parenting is a wonderfully rewarding job but making time for yourself is a challenge. Having an organized closet can help with picking out clothes for the day, finding your favorite workout pants or grabbing your go-to pair of shoes. Knowing what is in your closet, where to find it and feeling good about everything in there is key to maintaining an easy routine.
Here’s how to organize: once a season, go through your current clothes and purge any that you don’t LOVE to wear. Many times, we keep reaching for those same items over and over. Go through your clothes and shoes, if you haven’t worn an item in the last year, it doesn’t fit your lifestyle or you don’t like how you feel in it -it’s time to let it go. If you are keeping something sentimental but don’t ever wear it – put it in a safe keeping box at the top of the closet and get it out of the everyday rotation. If you find an item that you have forgotten or are unsure about, try it on. Does it fit? Do you have things you can wear with it? Set a time limit to see if you will wear it (no longer than a month). If you keep ignoring it, it’s time to let it go.
2. Kitchen. If you don’t spend 50% of your time at home in the kitchen, please tell us your secrets! Kitchens are the heart of the home, and we can spend so much time in them – cooking, eating and cleaning. If you have an organized kitchen with everything having a place, all your tasks will take much less time.
Here’s how to organize: Break down any bulk snack packaging and put those foods into labeled bins that are easy to reach for the kids! Organize your space by zones, so when it’s time for breakfast or to plan a last-minute dinner – you know where to look. Regularly check expiration dates and throw out expired products or items that you won’t use. Match up those plastic containers and get rid of the singles. Do you actually use all of the serving dishes, small appliances, plastic cups and water bottles? If not, then pass them on to someone who could use them!
3. Kid Spaces. Children can be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff around them. Clothes are on constant rotation as they quickly grow! Their likes and hobbies change almost as fast as the day of the week. As their parent or guardian, you know what they tend to gravitate towards, and what they want to wear or play with daily. Staying on top of their closets and playrooms can be a great way to stay organized.
Here’s how to organize: Get rid of the excess. Less is more and you will find your kids will play better with less clutter! Pass things on to a friend, sell it if it’s still in good condition or simply box toys up to put away for a while to see if 1) they ask for it, or 2) they want to play with it again after a break. Clothes should be gone through seasonally. It’s a good idea to keep a donation box in their closet so you can put clothes in there when you find they are too small.
Keeping these three areas in a continual state of organization will help change the direction of your week. Don’t be stressed out by “stuff.” Invest in your home so it’s a safe space!
Collected Home is owned by sisters, Emily McKnight and Erin Cornell, who reside in Edmond, Oklahoma. Their expertise is home organizing, decluttering and packing. They have a desire to make spaces look put together and also functional, leaning into the strengths they both bring to the team. This love for organizing and design is what makes this duo great to work with!
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, at their website: www.collectedhome405.com or email them at collectedhome405@gmail.com.
