Top 4 areas of your home to keep organized – with pro secrets

Home organization and being a professional home organizer is about a lot more than simply finding somewhere to put everything. My favorite part about home organizing is thinking strategically about how the specific people who live there will use – not only the specific space we’re in, but also other surrounding areas. When I’m in this headspace, I like to think of myself as an “Interior Strategist”.   ;-) 

From my perspective, there are a few key places in the home where, if they function optimally, everything else in life runs more effectively. 

1. The kitchen:

It’s the hub of the home, and for good reason. If a kitchen is well organized and the space is well thought out, it makes life (and meal prep) flow with a greater ease. Taking the time to strategically consider where everything goes is paramount, not to mention incredibly variable as every kitchen is laid out differently. It takes skill and thought to think through how people will move through the kitchen. How the dishwasher will be emptied and what coordinating cabinets will make that an easy task. Also taking into account where people will enter and exit the kitchen and how the placement of daily items should live to reduce potential traffic jams.  

Here’s a secret: Make sure there is a drop zone in the kitchen.  Use a cute tray, a flat big bowl, or basket.

2. The entryway or mudroom:

While mudrooms are relatively easy places to get under control, there are key components to keep the space tidy and efficient, making entering and exiting the home a more efficient process. The key thing is to have a system in place for shoes! 

In an ideal world, there should be one medium sized shoe rack for each member of the family. Everytime anyone walks in the door their shoes should immediately be stowed on their designated space whether that is a shelf, cabinet, or under a bench. It’s also paramount to swap out seasonal shoes and coats that are not used.  

Here’s another secret:  Store your dressy shoes in your bedroom closet if your entryway or mudroom is too cluttered. 

The other necessary item in a mudroom or entry is the quintessential drop zone. We’ve been in homes where the family likes to keep quick grab items in bins in the mudroom like lip balm, keys, and sunglasses.  

Pro Secret #3:  Set up your mail system next to the drop zone.  Another excuse to treat yourself to get a super cute basket to match your decor.

3. The Laundry Room:

Every busy family struggles with the laundry room, but having systems in place can help you make the most of a crowded space that experiences a lot of volume and turnover throughout the week. Having a cabinet or open shelves directly above the washer and dryer and having fixed spaces for the most used detergents and other items used most frequently is key. 

Most people look horizontally for more space to organize.  Here’s a secret:  spaces that are not used or we call it, “wasted space” are usually found vertically.  Find those spaces above the detergents on the shelf and the sink.  Can you add another shelf or lower the top shelf so you have more height for taller items?  I usually take my clothes right out of the dryer and dump them on my bed so I am forced to fold them before the day ends.  The strategy is to get stuff in and out of there and put it away quickly, so it doesn’t linger there all week! 

4. The Garage: 

The garage made the list because it’s currently mid-summer and we’ve been spending a lot of time in the garage grabbing and going.  A well set up garage makes getting out of the house and out for some fun so much easier!  As seasons change, it is helpful to have shelves on wheels so you can change the arrangement of the garage to make room for snow blowers and bicycles more accessible.  

Here is the last tip of the day:  Keep an extra supply of umbrellas, hand sanitizers, sunscreen, bug sprays, baby wipes, juice boxes, and individually wrapped snacks by the entryway of the garage.  This comes in handy when you are in a rush to get somewhere.  I can’t tell you how many times I have run in and out of my car to grab something I forgot.   :) 

If you’re ready to take back an area of your home so that it works more strategically for your family, give us a call and we can help!