At the beginning of every year, it’s the same story: Millions of us make resolutions to hit the gym, get organized, or eat healthier. Within a couple of months, most of us revert back to our old habits and forget about the goal we’d made just weeks before. In fact, a study from the UK found that 64 percent of people abandon their resolutions in one month. However, even if you’ve always abandoned your resolutions in years past, the great news is that every year presents a new opportunity to thrive and achieve your goals. You just need to set yourself up for success!
If you’re looking to organize your home in 2023, it’s understandable if it feels like a daunting task. No matter how much time you spend cleaning, it’s easy to feel like things end up becoming disorganized in the blink of an eye. However, there are a few simple changes that can make having a tidy space much more achievable.
Here are five tips for creating the organized home you’ve always dreamed of in the new year.
1. Start Small: Plan Daily Clean Up Time
One of the biggest reasons why keeping a resolution can be so challenging is because we bite off more than we can chew. By setting our expectations so high, we often feel discouraged before we even begin! That’s why it’s so important to start small and identify realistic steps that don’t feel so overwhelming.
For example, setting a goal to organize the entire house feels like an immense task. Instead, plan to set 15 to 30 minutes aside each day to tidy and organize an area of the house. One day, this might include cleaning out the space under your sink in the bathroom. Another day, it could be to start decluttering your closet space. Not only will this help you form a habit of tidying regularly, but it will also keep you motivated and feeling accomplished—every single day!
2. Limit Impulse Purchases
The simplest way to declutter your home is to prevent it from building up in the first place. By limiting impulse purchases and only buying things you love, you’ll not only value each object and get the most use out of it, but you will also find it much easier to keep your house organized. A great sale or free items can be more than tempting in the moment, but if it doesn’t add value to your home, say no.
Along those lines, avoiding the purchase of anything that isn’t necessary can help you streamline the objects in your home. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before purchasing anything:
- How much use will I get out of this? Do I need it?
- Do I own something that already accomplishes this object’s intended purpose?
- How much time or money will be spent on the upkeep or care of this item?
- How long will this make me happy? Is there something else that will make me happy in its place?
Being sure to vet each item before purchasing it will ensure you only own items that bring you joy or fulfill an essential purpose, making it that much easier to keep your home organized.
3. Prioritize Comfort Above All Else
How many times have you bought something that looked stylish only to forget about it or get rid of it because it was uncomfortable? Whether it was a trendy top or a modern couch, that object was taking up space and causing unnecessary clutter in your home.
You spend a lot of time in your house, so you should make it a space that feels like you and provides you with comfort. That means investing in things that make it as easy for you to keep it organized as possible. First, identify what comfort looks like to you. Would organizational bins and stylish hangers make it easier for you to keep your closet organized? Do you spend a lot of time in your office and need a more comfortable chair?
Knowing what you prioritize and what makes your home comfortable will help you declutter and enjoy the time spent in your home—whether you’re working, cleaning, or resting.
4. Use Catch-All Bins to Keep Things Easy
As with any big change, there are going to be times when you falter and don’t live up to your expectations. Instead of punishing yourself for forgetting to put something away or giving into an impulse purchase, leave room for error and make it easy for yourself to respond to these challenges.
For example, having catch-all bins in your bedroom and bathroom can help you organize your space without intensive time and effort. You can use them to store your shoes, cosmetics, or books in one place. You could even use different bins for different items, making it easier to sort through their contents later. Just remember to revisit the items and keep them as organized as possible!
5. Keep Clothes Where They Belong
Clothing is one of the most challenging things to keep organized. However, having a system in place that makes it easy to organize the endless tops, jackets, and shoes will help you keep tidy throughout the year. For example, you should have a designated spot to place your shoes when you get home after a long day of work. Taking off your shoes and placing them in that spot is much easier than coming back to them later.
Along those lines, having a custom closet is key to having a space that makes organization effortless. In many cases, homeowners buy an assortment of organizational products, including endless bins and drawers, that take up more space than necessary. Plus, solutions often aren’t designed to fit your specific closet, which means space isn’t utilized to its full potential. On the other hand, a closet designed specifically for you and your space can provide the structure you need to organize your home and motivate you to keep it tidy.
This year, being organized doesn’t have to feel like an insurmountable task. With these five tips, you’ll be closer to achieving your resolutions and creating the organized, beautiful home of your dreams.