Create a Home for Everything: 6 Steps to Keeping Your Home Organized!

Written by Stephanie & Susi

April 2023

Let’s talk about creating a home for everything. This is how we keep a system in place, and it’s quick to reset when life gets out of hand — because your organized solution has your back.

Plus, who doesn’t want to save themselves time, energy and money? LESS time looking for missing items, LESS money spent on replacing items, and MORE energy to do the things you love — like going for a walk, doing a puzzle, or working on your passion project.

Let’s streamline your life and simplify your daily routine!

Time for the nitty-gritty. It can seem daunting and you don’t know where to start when looking at an area of chaos. So here are 6 steps on how to free your life from clutter and organize your home.

[I spent an hour removing everything from the playroom shelves, cleaning, and re-styling — the shelves are like a breath of fresh air!]

1. BEGIN WITH ONE AREA OR ROOM

I would even say, begin with a shelf or a drawer. Start small and set yourself up for success. Ask yourself, what is my goal for this space? Is it to nourish, entertain, or rest? Make sure anything that doesn’t resonate with your intention for the space is removed.

[editing your belongings gives space to what you value most!]

2. NOW IT’S TIME TO PURGE, FRIENDS

Let go of all unnecessary items. Give yourself the permission to let things go that don’t support who you are and what you want to become (and if you don’t, WE give you permission). When did you last use it? Was it a gift? Did you spend money on it? Hear us! Allow yourself to get rid of the things you no longer need! Getting rid of stuff will make it easier for you to elevate what you do love and what truly serves you. Start with three 3 piles — keep, donate, garbage or recycle.

[this drawer is organized with small, shallow bins from Dollarama]

3. IT’S TIME TO CREATE YOUR ORGANIZED SYSTEM

Getting through the edit (#2) is a big accomplishment. Give yourself a pat on the back!

Check your home for organizers and bring it all into the space. This is actually the fun part! Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be pretty. It can be eclectic. You can use shoe boxes or containers you have around the house (plus, you are USING what you have from other areas in your home — how awesome is that?). Even the dollar store has some great bins of all sizes. Think of what your process will be and what will work easiest for you to do and maintain. For example, think of it like a laundry hamper with 3 sections — whites, darks or colours. Each has a spot and you know where each one goes.

[this label is simply a sharpie!]

4. LET’S MAKE LABELS

A sharpie or marker will do if you want to keep it super simple (see above). Or Amazon and Etsy has some very cute label options. It’s important for everyone to know what belongs in every container so the system is maintained. Plus, it’s extremely helpful for bigger bins that are opaque that are holding seasonal items. You won’t need to lift each bin to find an item because you’ve saved yourself time and that frustration with a label. Way to go, you!

[this wooden canoe makes a fun location for a collection of card games!]

5. STAY CONSISTENT, STICK TO YOUR SYSTEM (say that quickly 10x!)

This will be the key to your success. You may be surprised that it’s easier than you think. Why? Because that new system will make you feel GOOD, and you are more likely to put things where they belong. Because it’s good to feel good! And of course, revisit your system, if something isn’t working you can always make adjustments.

[we worked in these encyclopaedias which are sentimental items]

6. SENTIMENTAL ITEMS

So you decided to keep some things that don’t serve you or future you, but is sentimental. Display it! Or find a bin and label it by year or by what is sentimental (for example, “for mom,” “for dad,” “my childhood” or “travel”). Add to the bin as you go from room to room, so that all of these beautiful items can be enjoyed together. You can rest assured because you’ve created a home for it.

Creating a home for everything in your house is a great way to save yourself time, simplify your life and manage your day to day tasks. I highly encourage you to pick one area and focus on it, purge, create your system, create labels and stay consistent with keeping your items in the home you’ve created them. You can do this!