Everybody hates it when they clean up clutter for a while only for that mess to come back later. From book shelves to clothes to kitchen utensils, home upkeep is truly a lot of work. Sometimes, it can seem like nothing is working so far when it comes to tidying up at home. If this is the case, then it's high time you change things up when it comes to your cleaning and organizing methods, and ultimately change your life too. Here are 6 tips you can use to keep things neat and pretty in your living space for longer.
Assigning A Clutter Area
If your line of work is on the creative side, it's only natural to get a bit messy at home. Embrace the clutter and assign a particular area in your living space where you can freely let your inner artiste come out – or just let files and things stack up because this is how some people work in their spaces. If you're familiar with organized mess, then this is exactly it. The saying "messy room, messy mind" doesn't always apply to everyone. However, don't let this clutter spread throughout your home, because it'll be harder to maintain in the long run. One area full of clutter is enough, and keep the rest neat and pretty.
Repurposing The Area Where Things Pile Up
If tip # 1 doesn't sit well with you, then no worries! If you really want to do something about your clutter, then it's time to shift your attention towards your mess area and turn it into something fresh. Don't we all have that one table filled with treasures and trash? Or that one chair where we hang towels and semi-dirty clothes that can't be chucked in the laundry bag yet? Turn this messy pile into an "untouchable" area: put a big fixture on it, stack boxes on it, get your largest piece of appliance and place it there. If it's the chair, redesign it in a way that wouldn't make you want to put things on it (i.e. cover it with velvet/suede/fur) and actually use of your metal bars in the bathroom or pegs/hooks behind the doors instead.
Getting A Pegboard
Commonly seen in hardware or office supplies stores, pegboards can actually be utilized in so many different ways at home. You can use pegboards in the kitchen to hang your cookware and other utensils. Bedrooms can also have a pegboard for pictures, small potted plants, quotes, and memorabilia. You can also get creative and do some pegboard art. Other areas of the house that can have pegboards are the living room (for pictures, paintings, and plants) or the storage area (for tools that may come in handy like your hammer, screwdriver, pliers, duct tape, ropes, flashlight, and other tools that could come in handy when an accident at home happens.
Staggering Your Shelves
Gone are the days when people would purchase space-consuming pieces of furniture. Today, you can (literally) level up by staggering your shelves. This way, you can save space and add to your home's aesthetic value while you're at it! You can put both necessities and non-necessities on your staggered shelf, but make sure it looks clean, balanced, and attractive to the eyes. Avoid awkward arrangements by having a particular design in mind; don't just go at it and put random things on your shelf. Instead, plan its look and feel so it gives your living space a fresh, modern look. For instance, you can take your plants, picture frames, trinkets, and small books, and spread them evenly in your staggered shelves. Take into account the avoidance of having awkward gaps, and if you don't trust yourself enough, have a peg for your shelves (which can be found online with no cost!)
Putting Labels On Things
Sometimes, you really need to put a label on it. From tiny containers to bulky boxes, giving them names takes the burden off you when it comes to knowing where to place your belongings. If a container has a particular category on it, you'll know exactly what to put inside it. This is also a good strategy to stop yourself from "rotating" from container to container and just settle with one for each item classification. Just like in the picture above, there are boxes for books and seasonal clothes. Keep in mind that items in regular rotation should be easily accessible. Don't tuck away your office getups or your devices' chargers in hard-to-reach areas at home, because these are everyday necessities. Make sure that the font of your labels are sans-serif, large, and easy to read as well.
Setting A Regular Schedule For Tidying Up
Stick to a certain day when it comes to tidying up your things. It should be your free day, so you don't have to think about anything else. But if you're too busy, then you can spread the tasks throughout the week: for instance, you can do a bedroom general cleaning on Sunday, then the kitchen on Monday, then the bathroom on Tuesday etc. It's all up to your availability (and motivation). Choose a "chill" day of the week so you can have time for the heavy and tedious cleaning and organizing tasks. Meanwhile, do light chores on busy days, so you don't get stressed out. However, strive to maintain the cleanliness of your home by doing some minimal cleaning everyday, especially if you have roommates. Assign each other to clean certain parts of your living space either for a whole day or an entire week. The scheduling is really up to you.
Now It's Your Turn
Home organizing is no easy task, so take it easy on yourself too and give it a day at a time so you don't get overwhelmed. Strategizing on home upkeep takes planning ahead and having a vision of a brand new look to your living space. Let loose and get creative with ways on how to keep your home clean and organized. If you find new ideas on cleaning, reorganizing, and tidying up, make sure to keep those in mind too aside from what you've picked up here. You can even combine them and make a niftier, even more efficient plan to deal with clutter and mess. Go ahead, start organizing, and see the big difference!
Sources:
Garrity, A. (2021, June 8). 100 Best Organizing Tips for the Tidiest Home Ever. Good Housekeeping. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/tips/g2610/best-organizing-tips/
Giaquinto, C. (2020, December 20). 39 Room Organization Ideas for Your Home. The Spruce. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.thespruce.com/room-organization-ideas-4111419
McDonough, L. S. (2019, August 26). 30 Home Organizing Before and Afters That Are Almost Too Satisfying to Look At. House Beautiful. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/g2970/organization-makeovers/
Piña, C. (2021, January 28). 39 Best Tips for Organizing Your Home, According to Professional Organizers. Woman’s Day. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/g2801/life-changing-organization-tips/
Pinsky, S., & Panel, A. A. M. R. (2021, August 26). The Ultimate Room-by-Room Organization Guide. ADDitude. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/how-to-organize-your-home-room-by-room/