Everyone has one of those friends, the one that you walk into their home and everything has its place. Papers are neatly filed, every dish and spoon has a place, bins are labeled and the insides of cabinets look like a neatly assembled puzzle. If you are NOT one of those people, you might wonder what their trick is. Well lucky for you, we are about to fill you in on their secrets. Take a peek below at 12 habits of people with organized homes, and find out the tips and tricks they use to keep their spaces looking their best!
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12 Habits of People with Organized Homes
1. They don’t hang onto trash.
Have you ever noticed how much trash you might hang onto? Do you open a package and set the packaging aside? Do you keep receipts that you don’t need? Does trash not always find its way into where it belongs…the trash? Well organized people know to throw these items away the minute they come across them, and avoid paper clutter down the road.
2. They make careful decisions when bringing new items into the home.
People with organized homes don’t buy things on a whim. They make careful decisions when buying home décor, kitchen items, and other odds and ends to make sure they have not just room for them but a use for them as well. A good deal is never a good enough reason to bring a new item into the home.
3. They utilize labels.
Labels not only help them find items easily, but it helps them find a place for every item they own. Organized homes utilize labels to keep those important papers, bills, toiletries, kid’s items, and other belongings in their designated place and to make sorting belongings easier.
4. They know when to purge, and do so regularly.
People will well organized homes don’t let clutter build up and then get overwhelmed. They purge and do so regularly. They know that every few months they should go through their belongings and discard and donate what they no longer use or need.
5. They get the entire family involved.
A well organized home is usually the result of the entire family being on board. They know not to bring new items into the home, put items in their designated place, and they are realistic about what items they use and what they don’t.
6. They don’t allow clutter to control them.
A well organized home is usually filled with people who don’t let clutter control them. They don’t feel like they “have” to hold onto certain items “just in case.” They instead control the clutter themselves and know when it is time to let items go.
7. They use the 3 month rule.
A well organized home often goes by the 3 month rule: if you haven’t used something in three months, off to the donation center it goes.
8. They avoid creating piles.
Piles of paper, piles or laundry, piles or bills…a well organized home avoids piles by finding a place for these items BEFORE they begin to stack up and take on a life of their own.
9. They give regularly.
The people in a well organized home give to local charities regularly. They donate clothes, kitchen items, and other household goods they no longer need or use. They don’t hoard these items, but instead allow someone else to get use out of them.
10. They spend 15 minutes a day organizing.
By spending 15 minutes a day organizing, people in a well organized home keep a good grip of their belongings and don’t allow the stuff to take over. 15 minutes a day can help them avoid hours of work later.
11. They enjoy their space.
A well organized home is a peaceful home where the stress of clutter is long gone. You may find that people with well organized homes truly enjoy their space and find it to be a retreat instead of a challenge.
12. They can distinguish a want from a need.
Staying organized can be easier when you can distinguish a want from a need. This way you are bringing only items you need into the house, not “wants” that can quickly pile up.
Give these tips for keeping an organized home on hand so you too can work for a more organized space in the new year.
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3 month rule? Summer clothes would be thrown away before the next summer!
yeah, about that three month rule. That means that every winter I buy new winter boots, winter coat, every summer new shorts, new bathing suit. Sounds expensive to me.
They lead boring lives.
Getting organized to begin with requires money for the shelving system and bins in which to put everything.
Hmm, maybe the more important of them is everything having it’s place. I’ve held onto things for years, yes years, knowing that I would need to use it at some point. Sure enough the other day I used 3 things that I knew I still had. I saved money and didn’t have to go out and get something I had thrown away. I won’t go and replace it because I don’t need it anymore but throwing something away or getting rid of it after only 3 months seems a bit extreme.
I agree. If I can find a spot to put something there is no need to get rid of it unless I want to.
I think one point could be added: “They have a place for everything.” – When I find that something is beginning to pile up, it’s because I haven’t created a designated spot for it. Once I do, that pile doesn’t gather anymore! My husband and I recently (in the past few years) have gotten into skiing, and have gradually bought all the gear that is associated with that. It was starting to get everywhere since we try to go nearly every weekend, so we got gear bags that go in our hall closet (grab and go), and got a wall rack to put in our garage to get our skis off the floor. It makes a huge difference!
I do agree that many of these are repetitive, but sometimes that’s what a person needs ;)
Great points! I do agree that some points might be a bit repetitive, like the ones about purging and donating. Also, despite another comment, people who think carefully about purchases do still have to purge, especially if you have kids, it doesn’t mean that the item wasn’t a good purchase at the time, it just may be outgrown, or related to a hobby you no longer enjoy, or maybe you were gifted something better and no longer need it. Also, clothing does get worn over time and may need updating, but may still be useable to someone else. I especially agree with labeling and not letting things pile up.
ENTER YOUR COMMENT HEREI have been working n my home for about 7 months.It is so much better now
We are working very hard to be an organized family. I have purged and organized the past few years and it has made a huge difference. This year we are going more in-depth and I am sharing the journey on my blog.
Instead of referring to it as clutter we have decided to call it chaos because my phone looks organized but as a family we still feel chaotic.
Great advice….easier said than done!
Not a very useful article. Most points are repetitive. Instead of 12 you could have said 4 habits. Also while being selective in purchases indicates clear thinking, frequent discarding and donation speaks of wasteful purchases and lesser reuse of stuff.
Anyway, point taken, discipline helps in staying organized.
It’s amazing how most of this stuff applies to me! I never considered myself organized, but when someone violates one of these rules, I go bananas!! :-)