Getting organized can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With some expert-approved tips and a little effort, you can transform your home and workflow into well-oiled machines. From clever storage solutions to time-saving technology, here are some organization ideas you may have never considered before.

Streamline Your Morning Routine

Mornings are often a rushed time as you get ready for the day ahead. Make them less hectic with these tips:

Prep Your Breakfast and Lunch

Make breakfast portable by assembling overnight oats or chia pudding in jars, freezing breakfast sandwiches or burritos, or boiling eggs.
Pack your lunch the night before and store it in the fridge. Lay out snacks too.
Program your coffee maker so your morning joe is ready when you wake up.

Set Out Tomorrow’s Clothes

Decide on your outfit the night before and hang it on your closet door.
Pick coordinating accessories too like shoes, belt, and jewelry.
For kids, lay out their school clothes, socks, and shoes.

Do a Quick Tidy

Wipe down bathroom and kitchen counters.
Load the dishwasher.
Neaten living areas by folding blankets, fluffing pillows, and putting away toys.

Prep Backpacks and Bags

Pack backpacks and work bags with essentials like laptops, folders, and water bottles.
Make sure you have your wallet, keys, and anything else you’ll need.
Charge devices like phones so they’re ready to go.

Get a Handle on Paperwork

Important documents and files tend to pile up into a confusing mess. Tackle paperwork clutter with these tips:

Sort Through Paperwork

Go through stacks and separate papers into broad categories like bills, financial statements, manuals, etc.
Within those groups, file things together that belong together.
Throw out anything you don’t need.

Set Up a Filing System

Get folders, hanging files, magazine files, and accordion organizers.
Label each so you know what goes inside.
Store files in a cabinet, drawer, or bin for quick access.

Deal With Mail ASAP

Open mail as soon as you get it. Discard junk immediately.
File papers that need saving and schedule bill payments.
Create a designated station for incoming and outgoing mail.

Digitize Documents

Scan important documents like tax returns and save them to the cloud.
Sign up for online statements instead of paper ones.
Back up computer files regularly so they’re not lost.

Make Laundry a Breeze

Laundry can really pile up if you let it. But staying on top of it doesn’t have to be a chore with these tips:

Fold and Put Away Clothes Promptly

Fold a load of laundry as soon as the dryer stops.
Return clothes to dressers and closets right away so they don’t get wrinkled.
Enlist help from family members to share the task.

Use Laundry Bags

Sort lights, darks, towels, delicates, etc. with different colored bags.
Hang the bags near hampers so dirty clothes go right in.
Lint rolls on the bags catch pet hair.

Schedule Laundry Days

Do laundry on set days each week that fit your schedule.
Set phone reminders if needed so it doesn’t slip your mind.
Aim to wash whatever has piled up.

Invest in an Effective System

Have separate hampers for each family member. Use rolling ones.
Keep laundry necessities together in one spot – detergent, dryer sheets, etc.
Look into laundry gadgets that can simplify the process.

Get Tech Organized

Cords, chargers, discs, and gadgets can clutter your space. Organize your tech with these tips:

Corral Those Cords

Coil extra lengths of cord and use Velcro ties to bind them.
Tuck cords behind furniture or along edges of walls.
Use boxes, bags, or cord wraps to contain them in drawers.

Store Tech Accessories Smartly

Use segmented boxes, trays, or bags to sort small items. Label them.
Hang headphones, controllers, and other items on hooks.
Stand devices upright in compartments or racks.

Reduce Hidden Wires

Run cables through walls or under floorboards whenever possible.
Get cord covers to mask wires running along floors and walls.
Opt for wireless accessories like Bluetooth speakers and mice.

Back Up Your Files

Use cloud storage services to save important data remotely.
Routinely back up devices to external hard drives as well.
Delete and organize computer files for better performance.

Make Over Messy Drawers

Drawers stuffed with a jumbled mess are neither functional nor aesthetically pleasing. Whip them into shape with these tips:

Edit the Contents

Take everything out and sort item by item. Toss what you don’t use.
Group like items together – socks, tech accessories, beauty products.
Only return what you regularly use to the drawer.

Use Drawer Dividers

Insert adjustable dividers to create organized compartments.
Try standing dividers for vertical storage of bottles, utensils, etc.
Use small trays or bins for tiny items like jewelry or office supplies.

Get Rid of Clutter

Transfer off-season clothes to alternative storage like under beds.
Box up memorabilia to archive elsewhere.
Limit yourself to items used weekly or daily.

Maintain with Regular Purges

Wipe out drawers every couple months to clean and reorganize.
Re-evaluate the contents seasonally and remove unused items.
Designate a day to tackle all drawers, not just one.

Organize Your Entryway

The entryway sets the tone for your whole home. Make it neat and clutter-free with these tips:

Give Everything a Home

Install hooks, shelves, and racks to store essentials.
Use trays and baskets to corral smaller items.
Have dedicated spaces for keys, bags, shoes, etc.

Pare Down Your Stuff

Keep only necessities like reusable shopping bags and umbrellas.
Have one junk drawer or catch-all bin for random items.
Offer excess items to guests or donate them.

Add Seating

Bench seating provides a spot to take off shoes. Look for options with storage.
A small table offers a place to set items when coming and going.
Coat racks double as seating for putting on shoes.

Maintain Order

Put everything back in its designated spot after use.
Do quick tidies to avoid buildup of discarded items.
Coat racks double as seating for putting on shoes.

GetCrafty With Repurposed Storage

Before buying new organizational containers, take a look around for household items or furniture you can repurpose:

Use Everyday Vessels

Tin cans, jars, baskets, buckets, crates, and bowls can hold all kinds of items.
Dress them up with spray paint, chalkboard paint, or patterned contact paper.

Repurpose Furnishings

An old dresser can become a mudroom cubby or bathroom organizer.
Turn a bookcase on its side to store files or use as a room divider.
Display collections in curio cabinets or hutches.

Upcycle Other Items

Turn a ladder into towel storage or a necklace display.
Use an old suitcase as a charging station or for storing blankets.
Tires become handy planters for the garden.

Take Advantage of Wall Space

Showcase collections with plates hung on the wall or railings.
Mount a pegboard to hang tools and frequently used kitchen utensils.
Display photos, art, or inspiration boards on the fridge or bulletin boards.

Organize Your Closet

With the right strategies, you can make the most of every inch of closet space. Try these ideas:

Declutter Aggressively

Be ruthless. Toss or donate anything you haven’t worn in over a year.
Only keep items that fit well and make you feel great.
Take it one section at a time – clothes, shoes, accessories.

Arrange Methodically

Group like items together – pants, shirts, dresses, etc.
Use space-saving hangers.
Fold off-season clothes into storage containers.

Maximize Vertical Space

Install a second rod for hanging shorter items.
Use over-the-door racks, hanging shelves, and shoe organizers.
Stow folded sweaters and accessories on shelf tops.

Add Closet Systems

Look into closet organization kits with shelves, rods, and drawers.
DIY your own system with boards and closet rods.
Incorporate baskets, dividers, and other accessories.

Get Your Garage in Gear

The garage often turns into a massive, cluttered catch-all space. Tame the chaos with these tips:

Give Items a Home

Mount panels, slatwall, or pegboard to hang tools, gear, and supplies.
Store items in clear bins and baskets so you can see contents.
Designate zones for different needs – gardening, sports equipment, tools.

Maximize Wall Space

Use wall-mounted racks to hold brooms, rakes, ladders, hoses, and more.
Install shelves for paint cans, automotive fluids, and other supplies.
Hooks allow you to hang bikes, lawn mowers, and other bulky items overhead.

Add Sturdy Storage

Utility cabinets keep garbage cans, chemicals, cleaners and other items neat yet accessible.
Look for solid shelving units and large cabinets to handle the garage environment.
Sturdy stackable toolboxes are great for organizing equipment.

Maintain the System

Return everything to its designated spot after using to prevent clutter.
Check for unused items you can purge regularly.
Reassess storage solutions seasonally to accommodate changing needs.

Get the Most From Your Shelves

Shelving offers plenty of storage potential. Try these tips for maximizing shelved space:

Use Appropriate Shelves

Floating shelves work great in tight spaces like bathrooms and kitchens.
Sturdy, adjustable shelving is useful for basements, garages and closets.
pretty brackets and boards create cute open shelving.

Style Shelves Attractively

Fold items neatly in bins, baskets and boxes.
Arrange books by color, subject or height.
Display meaningful objects and decorative accents.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

Stack baskets or boxes to make use of height.
Use risers to double the shelving area.
Hang shelves at varying heights.

Keep it Organized

Label shelves and storage containers.
Edit contents seasonally.
Dust and tidy shelves regularly.
Return items to their designated spots.

Get Kids In On Organizing

Teaching kids organizing skills now makes your life easier and sets them up for success as adults. Try these tips:

Start Simple

Have young kids sort toys into broad categories – cars, stuffed animals, blocks.
Ask grade-schoolers to group books by subject or put away shoes.
Teens can organize their school supplies and files.

Make it Fun

Sing clean up songs to make tidying upbeat.
Use colorful boxes and baskets to spark interest.
Time kids to make chores a game.

Set Up Systems

Use pictures and labels so kids know where things go.
Designate drawers or shelves for them to organize.
Have cleaning checklists and rotating chores.

Offer Rewards

Praise kids for organizing. Sticker charts track progress.
Schedule a fun activity once chores are done.
Games, screen time, or treats encourage participation.

Organize Your Time

An organized schedule helps you be more focused and productive. Try these time management tips:

Use a Planner

Record all appointments, meetings, and events in one spot.
Block out time for priorities, not just appointments.
Review each morning and take it with you.

Minimize Distractions

Silence notifications during focus time.
Close unneeded tabs and apps on your devices.
Politely ask others not to interrupt you when working.

Tackle Tough Tasks First

Knock out big projects when you have the most energy.
Scheduling priorities first means they won’t get neglected.
Reward yourself with easier tasks later.

Take Time to Plan

Schedule time to organize and plan out your week.
Write a manageable to-do list each day.
Reflect on what worked and what didn’t each week.

Organize With the Help of Apps

Take advantage of handy organizational apps to simplify your systems. Useful options include:

Notes Apps

Great for jotting down to-do lists, plans, and reminders. Examples: Apple Notes, Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote.

Calendar Apps

Schedules, set reminders, share calendars with family. Examples: Google Calendar, Cozi, Any.do Calendar.

File Storage Apps

Back up files, access them anywhere, and share easily. Examples: Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive.

List Apps

Turn any list into a shareable checklist. Examples: AnyList, Bring!, Remember the Milk.

Scanner Apps

Digitize important documents fast. Examples: Adobe Scan, Microsoft Office Lens, Evernote Scannable.

Cleaning Apps

Assign and track cleaning tasks. Examples: Tody, Sweepy, Chore Monster.

Maintain a Clutter-Free Car

A cluttered car quickly becomes frustrating. Avoid the mess with these tips:

Toss Trash Daily

Bring a small trash bag on your commute to capture wrappers and refuse. Toss it nightly.
Have a small wastebasket to contain trash until you can empty it.
Install a plastic-bag style garbage can on the back of a headrest.

Remove Unneeded Items

Bring in leftover bags, sports gear, etc. Don’t leave them to clutter up the interior.
Donate or toss anything you’ve been hauling around unnecessarily.
Transfer excess stuff to the trunk so it’s out of the way.

Contain Small Necessities

Use the glove compartment, seatback pockets, or hangers to hold items.
Door-side caddies and seatback organizers corral necessities neatly.
Cup holders can double as pen or gadget holders.

Add In-Car Storage

Look into consoles, trunk organizers, hideaway compartments and more.
Door pocket organizers add slots for phones, cups, etc.
Backseat organizers have pockets to contain kid items and trash.

FAQs About Expert Organization Tips

What are some easy ways to get organized fast?

Some quick ways to get organized include clearing flat surfaces like counters and tables, putting everything back in its designated spot after use, setting aside a few minutes each day for tidying, and editing down your belongings to just essentials.

How do you organize your life effectively?

To effectively organize your life, set priorities and routine habits that align with those priorities, minimize clutter and distractions, use productivity tools like planners and apps to stay on track, build in time for self-care, and maintain systems once in place.

What are 5 areas of life you can organize?

5 key areas of life to organize are:

Your home – decluttering, establishing storage systems, cleaning routines.
Finances – bill paying systems, budgeting, filing taxes and statements.
Health – meal plans, workout schedules, medical records.
Work – daily schedules, project management systems, filing procedures.
Time – calendars, to-do lists, minimizing distractions.

How do you organize your bedroom?

To organize your bedroom:

Declutter ruthlessly. Donate, sell, or trash items you don’t use regularly.
Make the bed each morning so the room looks neat all day.
Group like items together in dressers, on shelves, and in the closet.
Use storage containers and compartments to corral smaller items.
Install organizational tools like closet systems, over-the-door racks, and shelving.

What are the basic principles of organization?

The basic principles of organization include grouping like items together, designating a home for everything, maintaining clutter-free surfaces, storing items conveniently close to where they’ll be used, labeling storage areas clearly, and editing down belongings regularly.

Conclusion

Getting organized doesn’t need to be a monumental task. Start small, tackle one area at a time, and maintain systems once in place. With some creativity and determination, you can create an ordered home and workflow optimized for productivity and peace of mind using these expert-approved tips. What will you try organizing first?

Expert-Approved Organization Tips You Never Thought to Try