Think Outside the Classroom

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rubbermaid/5093615082/

September is here, and the new school year is officially in full swing. Kids are getting used to new teachers and classrooms. Morning routines are in place. Bedtimes are set. Now, you have a little bit of time to think about something else to make your schedule run even more smoothly: organizing your home.

During this busy time of year, stuff has a way of getting piled up. It starts with a pair of soccer cleats thrown over here, then a backpack slung over there. Before you know it, everything you own is scattered throughout the house. Nothing has a place of its own.

It may not seem like a big deal at first. Over time, however, this can lead to ongoing stress. Our environments are frequently blended into the background of our lives without so much as a thought. What we don’t realize is that they are of infinite importance to our well-being.

It starts with the structure of the home. Floor plans, lighting and finishes all make an impact on us. It then goes to the furnishings chosen for the home. Sofas, table and their layouts make a difference in how we live. The final layer? Organization of items within the home—our focus today.

5 Essential Home Organization Tips:

Give Everything a Home

Containers and baskets and shelves, oh my! Group your stuff into categories first. Put all those scrunchies into a pile. Arrange those books into neat stacks. Gather up all those loose toys. Once they’re all grouped, you’ll be able to tell how many storage containers you need. Stock up and get those items stashed away. When everything has a place to belong, picking up is way simpler.

Photo: https://www.needpix.com/photo/591447/shelf-container-rack-food-shelves-store-people-market-industry

Break Cleaning into Small, Daily Tasks

Instead of letting chores build until it seems like an insurmountable task to get the house clean, break everything up into small, daily tasks. For example, you could make your task of the day be vacuuming. Tomorrow, it could be cleaning the bathroom mirrors. What was once an overwhelming undertaking now seems manageable. It’s also a great way to get kids involved, who can get in the habit of doing one small chore a day.

Make it a Game

Speaking of getting the kids involved, a great way to do this is to make it a game. Make it a race to see who can get their toys picked up the fastest. See how many days in a row they can go without forgetting to take out the trash. Another idea is to create a reward system.

Plan Ahead

Oftentimes, a little planning is the key to keeping your home organized. Schedule cleaning times. Get in the routine of cleaning every day at a certain time. Routines are especially helpful in the morning. Lay out outfits and pack lunches the night before. This prevents the closets and kitchens from turning into madhouses in the morning rush. In the mornings, there often isn’t time to put things back, so the mess builds. A little planning will take care of the problem.

Deep Clean Every Six Months

While small, daily tasks work for most chores, there are some things that don’t need to be done as often. You can save these things for a deep clean about twice a year. This is also a great time to get rid of any clutter that has built up in the past months. Sift through what you haven’t touched in the past six months, and donate it.

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/flat-lay-photography-of-calendar-1020323/

These incredibly simple tips can get your home in tip-top shape. Mornings will be a breeze, and evenings will be more enjoyable. What are you waiting for? Get organizing. It’s not as hard as you think.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer