Five Week Organizing Challenge for Your Entire Home!
By the time Christmas rolls around each year, I start to feel like my house is crazy cluttered!
This year was no different. So, I’ve decided to commit to a month of organization and decluttering to regain control of my home!
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Will you join me for this organization and decluttering challenge?
This January, I’m joining my friend Jenny, author at Single Girl’s DIY as well as three other talented bloggers as we take control of clutter!
As with almost every other tough thing in life, I think accountability will be the key to kicking clutter’s bootie!
If we work together, we can do this. One. Step. At. A. Time!
These are the areas we’ll be targeting for the challenge:
- How to start the organization and decluttering of your home (more on that later in this post!).
- Office organization. Get control of all the papers!
- Closets. Tackle them all or pick just one for now!
- Kitchen: Drawers, cabinets, and pantry.
- Bathroom: Cabinets, drawers, and makeup.
Each week I will write a detailed post about that week’s target area, sharing all of the details of my organization process.
Your clutter will likely be different than mine, so if you feel the need to organize a different space during one of the week’s challenges, please do!
The intent is to help one another as we get rid of clutter!
After all, it’s so much easier to enjoy your home if it feels calm and organized – aka clutter free! Something tells me we do NOT need all of this stuff!
Today I will kick off the challenge by sharing some basic tips on how to start the organization and decluttering process in your home.
If you’re like me, you might just hate to clean. But I love a well organized space, don’t you?
So, let’s get started!
How to Start the Organization and Decluttering Process in Your Home:
I have five basic steps I typically use when organizing nearly every space. In doing my research, I found Peter Walsh from Oprah.com and the KonMari system have a similar process.
So, it has to be right;-)
1. Clear EVERYTHING Out of the Space
When I say everything, I really do mean everything.
Having a clean slate will help you visualize the potential of the space you are attempting to organize.
Realistically, some spaces will not allow for you to remove every last item. But, do your best. Once the space is clean and clear, your creative organizational juices will begin to flow!
2. Sort Your Stuff
Making three piles typically works beautifully for me:
- KEEP
- DONATE
- TRASH
Purging is something that is not a big challenge for me, but I know it can be really tough for some.
For instance my husband has a really hard time letting go of things. He often has the mindset “I might need it later”.
Borrowing from the KonMari system, if it doesn’t bring you joy, it’s time to say ‘goodbye’!
Seriously, be ruthless.
If you haven’t used an item in over a year, you think it’s kind of ugly, or you simply cannot possibly imagine an opportunity when you might use it again, it’s time to let it go!
3. How Do You Envision Using the Space
Once everything has been cleared out, you will get a better picture of how you might be able to use the space going forward.
I’m a firm believer that clutter keeps us from being creative.
No matter the space you are organizing, having a vision of how you will use it will help you determine how you want to organize.
I often find that when I really nail down how I want a space to function, I’m able to get rid of even more things (see step #2).
4. Select Containers for Your Organization and Decluttering Process
Obviously the type of space you are organizing will help determine the types of organizational containers you will need.
I love pretty, but functional almost always wins for me.
Questions I typically ask myself when selecting a container:
- How easy is it to open and close?
- Does it fit the space well?
- Will I be able to get my things in and out of it easily?
If it isn’t functional, then it won’t work long term.
Keep in mind, containers can be somewhat costly. Having a budget is helpful to keep you reigned in.
Some of my favorite organizational containers:
- Baskets (wooden and wire)
- Clear bins / tubs (with a pretty label – more on that in a bit!)
- Silverware organizers (great for office drawers, bathroom drawers, and junk drawers)
- Shoe boxes. They are free and can be covered in pretty paper!
As we dive into specific spaces within the home in the upcoming weeks, I’ll share more on containers that I believe work well for each space.
5. Label Everything
There is something about a pretty label that helps me want to put things back in their place.
If you are new to the label world, I love using my Silhoutte Cameo 3 to make my own labels. This fun little cutting machine is magic.
But, unless you are a serious crafter or DIY person, it would be hard to justify the cost just for label making.
So, here are other options to label your stuff:
- Label maker. Prints labels that you use much like a sticker. The cost of these is all over the board. I linked to a general Amazon search for label makers. Find the one that best meets your needs!
- Label Tags. The tag you select will certainly depend on the space you are organizing.
- Washi Tape. I’m a HUGE fan of washi tape. If you are not familiar, it is simply decorative masking tape. You can find essentially any color or pattern to match your home. You can write directly on the washi tape with a Sharpie marker or print a label from your label maker to put on the washi tape. The latter will make your label look a bit fancier.
Are you ready to clear your junk?
Week 1: How to Organize Bathroom Items and Get Ready Faster
Week 2: Desk and Office Organization and Decluttering
Week 3: Real Life Closet Organization
Week 4: Kitchen Organization
Week 5: How to Organize Your Car
I know I am!
Please join me on this journey and become free of all the clutter. Together!
Take a moment to visit my other blogging friends on their organizational journey! You are going to love their ideas, too!
- Jenny from Single Girl’s DIY: How to Get Organized: Six Steps that work Every time!
- Pam from Busy Lifestyle Gal: 5 Best Storage Tips for Christmas Decor
- Jennifer from Sunflower Mom: How to Clear the Clutter When You Hate to Clean: 9 Easy Tips
- Renee from Busy Creative Living: How to Get Organized When you Don’t Know Where to Start
This is a great challenge. Something I plan to work on in our home is decluttering and simplifying. I love all your ideas.
I hope it was helpful! Have a wonderful week, Kayla!
I am all about decluttering this month too. It is a great time to of year to do this.
Yes, a new year and a new beginning! Happy decluttering, Jaclyn!
The amazing thing about decluttering is that when you start getting rid of things it makes it so much easier to get rid of more.
It absolutely does, Karen! Have a great week!
My house is a total mess right now. I had surgery in November after six months of feeling absolutely awful, and then by the time I recovered, it was winter break and the kids were home for over two weeks! I badly, badly need to declutter, organize, and clean!
One step at a time! Don’t be hard on yourself, just get the areas you use most decluttered. Best of luck!
I love organizing! I always have a had time when I initially decide to get rid of something, but I have to tell myself it’s for the best if I haven’t worn it in three years ha!
It is hard to get rid of things sometimes. But, it’s worth having an uncluttered space. Have a great week, Lara!
Love this challenge! I’m an obsessive organizer/purger, haha. My favorite containers are clear ones with pretty labels like you mentioned. I love being able to see what’s in the containers for sure!
Clear bins are key! Have a great week, Lisa!
OMG! This is awesome info! I wish I had it last week! Just “decluttered” and donated a ton of stuff fro several areas of my home! Starting off the new year right!
Great work! A new year and a “clean” slate is the best way to start!
I need this challenge in my life so bad. I have started to organise some parts of my home, but I always feel like I have no clue where to start. This is so helpful! I am going to be trying this for a bit of spring cleaning.
I’d love you to join along! There is a lot of support in my Organization and Decluttering Facebook group. That would be a fantastic place to start!
I always start in the bedrooms with the closets. That doesn’t seem to take me as long to accomplish and keeps me motivated to continue.
Staying motivated is often the challenge. Starting with clothes is a great place to begin!
Great ideas. Clutter always seems to pile up, especially this time of year. Thanks.
Thanks, Pam! It’s the perfect time to take control of the clutter!
I couldn’t agree more with “clutter keeps us from being creative.” Of course, it can be hard to actually clear all the clutter out, but once I do, I’m always reminded how much better I feel.
Thanks, Jennifer! The decluttering process is certainly not fun, but I always love the pretty, organized space in the end. Happy New Year!