• If you don’t absolutely love it, need it, can’t live with out it. Don’t keep it if it’s not going to make your future better. Get rid of it so it does not hold you back.

10 Organizing Rules That Make Life Easier (and Tidier!)

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by clutter or struggled to keep your home tidy, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: organizing doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple, thoughtful principles can help bring lasting order and peace to your space.

Let’s dive into 10 organizing rules that can truly transform the way your home functions.

✨ 1. Start With Less

You can’t organize clutter—you have to declutter first.
Before you even think about buying bins or creating labels, take time to sort through what you own. Be honest about what you actually use, need, or love. Let go of the rest. Less stuff makes organizing easier, maintaining it simpler, and living in your space more peaceful.

Try this: Start small—maybe a junk drawer or a single shelf. You’ll be amazed how much clarity comes from clearing just one area.

🏷️ 2. Group Like With Like

This rule is a total game-changer. Store items by category: all office supplies in one place, all hair accessories together, all seasonal décor in one bin.

When you group similar items:

• You stop buying duplicates.
• You can easily see what you have.
• You always know where to find things.

Bonus tip: Label your bins, drawers, or baskets to make this system foolproof for everyone in the household.

🧺 3. Give Everything a Home

If something doesn’t have a designated place to go, it becomes clutter—fast. That mail pile? Those rogue shoes by the door? They’re homeless.

The key is to assign every item a clear, accessible home.

Think about:

• A basket by the entry for keys and wallets
• A tray in the kitchen for salt, pepper, and oils
• A drawer divider for tech chargers and cords

Once something has a home, cleanup becomes second nature.

⏱️ 4. Make It Easy to Put Away

We often focus on how pretty a space looks when it’s organized—but maintaining it is where the magic happens.

If your organizing system is complicated, you (and your family) won’t stick with it. Choose function over perfection.

Example:
If your kids won’t fold clothes, give them open bins instead of drawers.
If you hate stacking lids, store them upright in a divider.

Remember: The easier it is to put things back, the more likely you’ll actually do it.

🎯 5. Organize by Use, Not Just Category

Where you store things is just as important as how.
Put items where you use them.

Examples:

• Keep dog leashes near the front door.
• Store cleaning supplies under each bathroom sink.
• Place gift wrap near where you typically wrap gifts (even if that’s the bedroom floor!).

This reduces steps, saves time, and keeps your space flowing naturally.

📦 6. Contain It

Containers are your best friend when it comes to maintaining order. They help define boundaries, hold categories together, and visually tidy even the most random collection of stuff.

What to try:

• Clear bins for pantry staples
• Divided trays for junk drawers
• Small baskets inside drawers for socks, cables, or pens

You don’t need to spend a lot—repurpose boxes, jars, or containers you already have!

🧽 7. Leave a Little Room

You don’t have to fill every inch of a drawer, shelf, or closet.
In fact, you shouldn’t.

Leave breathing space so things aren’t crammed. That open space makes it easier to see what’s there, prevents overstuffing, and gives you room to grow.

Try the 80% rule: Only fill a drawer or shelf 80% full. That extra 20% helps everything stay usable and calm.

🌀 8. Think Function First, Pretty Second

Yes, rainbow bookshelves and matching containers are beautiful. But don’t get caught up in perfection before your system actually works.

Start by making sure the system:

• Fits your routine
• Is easy to use
• Is easy to maintain

Once you’ve nailed the function, then you can make it Pinterest-worthy with colors, labels, and aesthetic touches.

🔁 9. Reset Often

Organizing isn’t a one-time event. Life happens. Things move. Systems drift.

The secret is in the reset.

Set aside 5-10 minutes at the end of each day to tidy up your most-used zones (like kitchen counters or your desk). Do a deeper reset weekly or monthly to keep everything humming.

These tiny resets help avoid overwhelm and keep your spaces feeling fresh and under control.

💡 10. Progress Over Perfection

This might be the most important rule of all. Your home doesn’t have to look like a magazine spread. It just has to workfor you.

Start small. Celebrate tiny wins. Don’t wait for the perfect time, perfect supplies, or perfect motivation. Just begin.

Progress adds up—and progress brings peace.

Final Thought:

Organizing isn’t about having a “perfect” home—it’s about creating a space that works with you, not against you.
So whether you’re starting from scratch or just need a little reset, these rules are your guide to making life feel lighter, calmer, and more manageable.

You’ve got this. 💛