7 Brilliant Organizing Strategies We Discovered From The Home Edit

7 Genius Organizing Tips We Learned From The Home Edit …

1. Start with a clean slate

When it comes to organizing, the first tip we can glean from The Home Edit team is to start with a clean slate. This involves completely emptying the space you want to organize so that you can see exactly what you’re working with. It’s easier to organize when you don’t have to maneuver around objects already in place.

Moreover, beginning with an empty space allows you to visualize better how you want things to be arranged eventually. Also, it gives you a chance to do a bit of cleaning before putting stuff back. It’s unlikely you’ll get another opportunity soon to thoroughly clean that space once the items are arranged.

Finally, starting with a blank state enables you to categorize your items as you begin to put them back, allowing the process to feel less overwhelming. It’s a simple yet effective way to kick off your organizational projects.
Imagine Aunt Martha’s pantry; full of random spices and canned goods, it’s a mess. But if she empties the whole pantry first, cleans it, and then arranges her items by category (spices, canned goods, baking ingredients), it will look tidy and will be much easier to manipulate.

• Clean out your space completely.
• Take the opportunity to also the newly emptied area clean.
• Begin visualizing where and how you might arrange things.
• Start categorizing items before putting them back.
• Use this method regardless of whether you’re organizing a drawer, a closet, or a whole room.
• Treat each new organization project as an opportunity for a fresh start.

2. Categorization is key

The Home Edit team often emphasizes the importance of categorizing items when organizing. Separating things into distinct categories helps keep your spaces tidy because you’ll know exactly where to put things back after using them.

Not only does categorization keep things neat and orderly, but it also makes retrieval of items a breeze. No more hunting for missing items for hours; you will know precisely where they should be. It’s similar to the concept of having a ‘home’ for everything.

Moreover, categorizing is particularly helpful in shared spaces as it presents a clear structure that everyone can understand and follow. This means less chaos and less time spent cleaning and tidying repeatedly.
Let’s go back to Aunt Martha’s pantry. When all her spices are grouped together, she doesn’t have to search through piles of canned goods or boxes of pasta to find her oregano. Similarly, when the kids need a snack, they know to head straight to the snack section instead of rummaging through everything.

• Make use of categories to keep spaces tidy.
• Categorize by item type, frequency of use, or any other way that makes sense to you.
• Avoid wasting time searching by always knowing where your items belong.
• Become more efficient with object placement and retrieval.
• Implement categorization in shared spaces for everyone’s benefit.
• Remember: the goal is organization, so stick with categories that help maintain order.

3. Think vertically

One significant organizational tip from The Home Edit is thinking vertically. Most people tend to utilize only the lower levels of their cabinets, shelves, and closets, overlooking the potential of the higher levels. However, vertical storage allows you to make the most out of your available space.

It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to purchase new shelves or furnishings. Instead, consider investing in stackable bins, risers, or under-shelf baskets that can help increase your vertical storage capacity. These solutions are often affordable and easy to install.

Vertical storage not only saves space but also makes your items more visible, causing less havoc when searching for something. Although it might take a little getting used to at first, thinking vertically ultimately leads to a better-organized home.
Now, if Aunt Martha doesn’t have much pantry space but has high ceilings, she can use shelf risers to make use of the higher shelves. She can put seldom-used items up there, such as holiday baking ingredients.

• Maximize spaces by using vertical storage solutions.
• Utilize stackable bins, risers, or under-shelf baskets.
• Look beyond just the floor level; consider all possible storage areas.
• Keep things you use regularly easily accessible, and store lesser-used items higher up.
• Remember that visibility is key in organization. Don’t hide things away; stack them vertically.
• A tidy home isn’t merely a clean one—it’s also one in which space is utilized wisely.

4. Employ the rainbow method

The Home Edit team uses what they call the “Rainbow Method”. This strategy involves arranging things by color, creating an appealing aesthetic while also simplifying the process of locating items.

This strategy is particularly helpful in areas like clothing closets, bookshelves, kids’ playrooms, etc., where visual appeal contributes to overall tidiness. When implemented correctly, the Rainbow Method results in organized spaces that are both functional and visually delightful.

Lastly, working the Rainbow Method into your organizing routine tends to inject more fun into the process and improve motivation. It’s gratifying to see aesthetically pleasing spaces that reflect your efforts.
Say Aunt Martha’s bookshelf is in chaos. If she organizes her books using the Rainbow Method, not only will it make the bookshelf appear more appealing, but locating a specific book also becomes significantly easier because she remembers it’s a blue book.

• Aesthetic appeal can aid in maintaining organization.
• Arrange items according to their visual aspect (color) when it makes sense.
• This method isn’t for everything – don’t try to arrange canned goods by color!
• Implementing this system creates visually pleasing spaces.
• Finding items become easier if you remember their color.
• Turn the chore of tidying up into creative fun with the Rainbow Method.

5. Use clear storage containers

The Home Edit team swears by clear storage bins and containers. The use of transparent storage allows you to see what’s inside without having to open or rummage through multiple boxes. This not only saves time but also helps maintain order in your spaces, as you avoid disrupting neatly arranged contents.

Moreover, using clear containers is especially useful in places like pantries and fridges where food items need to be identifiable quickly. It prevents forgotten items from expiring at the back of shelves and aids in meal planning and grocery shopping by letting you know exactly what you have on hand.

Finally, clear storage solutions come in various shapes and sizes, providing great flexibility to meet different needs. Whether for large blankets or tiny craft supplies, there’s likely a transparent container that fits the bill.
In Aunt Martha’s pantry, instead of just throwing all her baking ingredients together, she could use clear bins—flour in one, sugar in another, etc. That way, she can easily see what she has available without having to dig through a pile of ingredients.

• Make use of clear storage bins and containers for easy visibility of what’s inside.
• Efficiency increases when you can quickly identify the contents of your storage.
• Employ transparency in various areas at home, such as in the pantry, fridge, or kid’s toy room.
• Save yourself the hassle of rummaging through opaque containers by hopping on the clear storage bandwagon.
• Mitigate the risk of forgetting about perishable items hidden away in non-translucent storage.
• Remember: practical doesn’t have to be dull; many clear storage options are functionally elegant.

6. Adjust and reassess frequently

According to The Home Edit experts, organization isn’t a one-time task but rather an ongoing process. Our needs, preferences, and quantities of belongings change over time, meaning our organization systems need to adapt and evolve as well.

Regular adjustments help keep your spaces clutter-free and functional. Assessing your arrangements from time to time allows you to spot problems early on, tweak things as needed, and avoid significant reorganizing jobs down the line. It transforms overwhelming cleaning tasks into manageable, incremental updates.

Lastly, consistent reassessment promotes mindfulness about what we bring into our homes. By being aware of how much space we have and what it’s being used for, we’re less likely to accumulate unnecessary items.
For instance, Aunt Martha may realize after a few months that her spices would be better off in alphabetical order instead of grouped together randomly. She then adjusts her arrangement accordingly, thereby maintaining an effective organization system.

• Consider organization as a continuous process.
• Adjust your system as your needs and belongings change.
• Frequent reassessments prevent clutter from building up.
• Avoid being reactive; instead, make small, manageable adjustments consistently.
• Remember: the primary goal of organization is practicality over perfection.
• Maintaining an effective system requires constant attention and regular adjustments.

7. Label everything

Lastly, The Home Edit champions labeling as a vital part of any organizing strategy. Labels might seem like overkill, but they can significantly help maintain order. They eliminate any confusion about where things go, especially if you live with others.

Labels also save time when you’re searching for something or when it’s time to put things away. You don’t have to open every container or drawer to see what’s inside. Moreover, labels reduce the risk of misplacing items since each one has an assigned home.

Furthermore, labeling systems aren’t exclusively for writing directly onto containers or shelves. You can use label makers, printable labels, chalkboard stickers, or even cute hang tags, depending on the aesthetic you prefer.
In Aunt Martha’s pantry, she could label her clear spice jars or bins of flour and sugar. That way, next time anyone needs to find anything, they would know exactly where to look without having to ask or search around aimlessly.

• Use labels to clarify where items belong.
• Eradicate confusion in shared spaces with clear, easy-to-read labels.
• Avoid the need to constantly direct others about where things are located.
• Ensure every item has its own ‘home’ to return to.
• Pair labels with clear storage solutions for a winning combination.
• Opt for aesthetically pleasing labeling means that fit with your decor style.

The Home Edit offers plenty of clever organization strategies that anyone can implement. By starting with a clean slate, categorizing items, thinking vertically, employing the rainbow method, using clear storage containers, regularly adjusting and reassessing, and labeling everything, you can transform your home into an oasis of order and tranquility. Remember: the key is consistency; keep applying these tips until they become second nature!