Start with a project you can easily complete, such as organizing a junk drawer. Then, move on to a hall closet or a storage area in your basement. Divide large storage spaces into smaller zones, so the organization task doesn’t feel so daunting. And if necessary, invest in organizational systems, such as a closet organizer or storage bins, so everything has a place that will be easily accessible. Within these areas, plan to declutter and find a designated home for all of the items that live there. Collaborate with members of your household on where shared items should go, so you all know where everything is and everyone will return items to their proper places. For example, if you have children, let them help you pick a storage space for their toys in the living room. This might cause them to feel a sense of ownership over the project and make them more likely to work within the organizational system. Plus, you’re the only one who can make decisions about how to organize your personal spaces. Set up a system that works for your lifestyle. For instance, you might prefer to organize your closet by type of clothing, such as all your shirts together and all your pants together. Or you might like to sort it by outfit to make the process of selecting something to wear easier. For example, if you have last-minute guests coming to stay with you, you’ll be happy you already have a tidy guest room. And having an organized linen closet can make it much easier to locate extra towels and toiletries, as well as to know what you’re running out of. Plus, an organized laundry room can make doing laundry a more enjoyable chore when everything you need is at your fingertips.
