A key element of home organization is creating systems. What do I mean by “creating systems”? Systems are the habits, processes, and series of steps that are the backbone of ongoing organization. The end result of creating systems is that organization becomes a series of maintenance activities that you perform at regular intervals, rather than starting from scratch each time. The goal is for the steps and habits to become so ingrained that you do them automatically. You probably do the same things in the same order to get ready for the day each day without having to think about doing them. Your organizational systems should work much the same way.
In case you missed my previous organization articles, learn about creating an organized mindset and making space for your belongings before diving into organizational systems.
create systems after you create space
In my last article in this series on home organization, I wrote about how to create space for your possessions. It is important that you complete that step before creating a system. You will want to begin with an edited set of belongings and the right space and storage solutions before you go about creating habits around those items. For example, if your everyday jewelry collection is disorganized, you will first pare it down to only those pieces you love and want to keep. Using that as your guide, you will buy jewelry storage to house all those pretties. Finally, you will develop the series of steps that gets the jewelry back into its designated spot in the organizer after wearing.
your system must work for you
For a system to work, it must be true to you and how you live. Don’t attempt to force a habit on yourself just because it has worked for someone else. Go ahead and try out different ideas from different sources, but know to move on if something doesn’t stick for you. A great example in my own home is decanting pantry goods. I love all the Instagram posts of beautiful pantries with clear, labeled canisters. My pantry is already well-organized, so I bought a bunch of canisters and poured in my food. But it didn’t click with me. I liked the look, not the functionality. So now, I decant some items where it makes sense to me to do so, and leave others in their original packaging.
Point is, if it does not feel like something you can naturally make a habit, it likely will not work for you long term. For this reason, systems are most effective when they flow with the rhythm of your day, week, or month.
examples of organizational systems
baskets/catchalls
You can use baskets anywhere you want to corral items temporarily before putting them away. Use stair baskets for things that need to be returned upstairs, or a basket for miscellaneous kids’ toys that need to put away. The trap with baskets is that people “forget” to empty them. Successful basket use revolves around making a habit of putting the items in the basket away in their proper places.
Try collecting mail at a time each day when you will have time to process it. Walk from the mailbox past the recycling bin, dropping in unwanted items before they even make it into the house. Open remaining mail immediately, placing bills and invitations in your pending folder and magazines and catalogs in the spot you have assigned for those. Then file, toss, or shred everything else.
electronic and paper filing
The move away from paper bills and records is a good one, both for the environment and for household clutter. The result, however, can be digital clutter as well as paper clutter. For paper, a filing cabinet, box, or drawer cannot be beat. Set up classic hanging files with labels. These do not have to be limited to utility bills and tax records. Include folders for medical prescriptions, instruction manuals, and any paper you want to be able to lay hands on quickly and not have all over your home. Your electronic system can be very similar. If you use an email provider like gmail, you can set up folders and sub-folders for all those emailed invoices, receipts, and kids’ activity information.
running donations box
Keep a large box from one of the many Amazon deliveries in an out-of-the-way spot like a coat closet. Every time you come across an item that can be donated (too-short child’s pants, redundant kitchen gadget, paperback you don’t plan to read again), place it in the box. When the box is full, drive it to Goodwill or leave it outside if the Salvation Army or a veterans’ organization has a pickup scheduled in your neighborhood.
5-minute organization
At a specific time each day, set a timer for five minutes, ten if you are feeling ambitious. Gather as many items as you can that are not in their proper spots and put them away. You can play this game with your kids, too! You will be surprised how much you can tidy up in a short amount of time!
Happy organizing!