The Entryway
Our first instinct when getting home is to kick off our shoes and relax. The entryway is a prime spot for clutter as we enter our homes.
Invest in a storage unit for shoes and hooks to hang jackets.
The Mail Spot
Getting the mail isn’t exactly exciting, so we often brush aside bills, letters, and newspapers until it becomes a giant paper pile.
I make the habit of sorting important papers into our mail sorter and throwing junk mail right away.
The Coffee Table
I like to curl up with a good book or magazine in the living room, but I have a bad habit of leaving my reading material on the coffee table.
A quick trick to clean up that clutter is to keep a basket on top or under the table to give it a home.
The TV Console
The TV console is a hub of all sorts of entertainment from games to DVDs. There are likely many wires coming out of the cable box and DVD player.
Easily fix up that bird’s nest of wires by hiding the cables behind the console with Velcro strips.
The Kitchen Counter
The kitchen counter is another place where clutter may lurk in our homes. Identify where countertop clutter originates from--is it from the pots and pans or spice bottles?
Address it by looking for alternative organization methods like a spice rack or shelf.
The Kitchen Cabinets
Some of the major mess culprits are Tupperware, canned goods, trash bags, linen, and cleaning supplies.
A way to declutter cabinets is adding pop-up shelves, Lazy Susans, or pull boxes for these items.
The Fridge and Freezer
Unless we’re constantly chucking out expired food, chances are that there’s a jar of nasty pickles in the fridge.
Set reminders to clear out the refrigerator and freezer periodically to make room. Also, don’t forget to dust the bunnies off the top of the fridge.
The Pantry
Can you have too many snacks in the pantry? I think not but remember to check and make sure the food isn’t expired.
Clear containers with labeling systems (with written expiration dates) are an efficient way to see everything in the pantry.
That Junk Drawer
You know the one. I’m guilty of piling items that don’t have a home into my junk drawer.
Take some time and sort these items by their function in drawer dividers.
The Workspace
The best method to clear out dedicated workspaces is to figure out which items get the most mileage. For example, my printer is my best friend and lives on top of my desk, and the printer paper is always in the drawer beneath it.
I hardly ever use stamps, washi tape, or crayons, so those materials are tucked away in a bottom drawer.
The Nightstand
The nightstand is a prime spot for me, especially. Sometimes, I forget to take off jewelry before bed, so I place them on my nightstand.
A way to combat the clutter is to have a jewelry dish there as a reminder to put those rings away.
Under the Bed
One of the most utilized spaces (and least cleaned clutter traps) may likely be under the bed.
To maximize that space, invest in storage bags and garment boxes to keep out-of-season items still in reach but out of sight.
That Bedroom Chair
That trusty chair in the bedroom invites us to throw unworn (and maybe even dirty) clothing on top of it.
Resist the urge and remove that chair to prevent any future clutter. Taking an extra three minutes to put away a blouse makes a huge difference.
The Closet
It’s good to go through the closet and really figure out what items have overstayed their welcome. If an article of clothing is uncomfortable, toss it in a donation bin. If it still fits, keep it.
Storage bins, boxes, and crates are perfect for sorting smaller garments like underwear, bras, or socks.
The Guest Room
The guest room usually has two purposes: for guests to stay in or to keep random items that don’t have a place.
Keep the guest room organized to prevent from scrambling to clean it up when guests arrive.
The Garage
A random assortment of clutter can live in a garage. If it hasn’t been touched in a while or won’t be needed, get rid of it.
Store highly used items in visible places like wire shelving, clear bins, or shelves to avoid searching through every nook and cranny for a specific thing.
The Kid’s Room
It’s almost impossible to keep a kid’s room clean, but there are ways to do it. Having storage units at a child’s eye level helps them see where they are supposed to put their toys.
Also, incorporating tidy time into a daily routine as a game or song will encourage them to clean along. Simplify storage for kid’s clothes and donate whatever doesn’t fit anymore.
The Bathroom Counter
Bathroom countertops are usually full of products.
As more products are added to the collection, keep the counter clear with makeup organizers, drawer dividers, and shelving units.
The Medicine Cabinet
There might be expired medicine sitting in the medicine cabinet if it hasn’t been cleaned out lately.
Be sure to check the expirations dates and replace any essentials.
The Cabinet Under the Sink
Whether it’s the kitchen or bathroom sink, clutter accumulates here easily because it’s out of sight. They’re usually tiny, too.
Effortless ways to organize underneath the sink is to include a storage rack, caddies, or baskets that hang on the cabinet door.