QUICK TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME

 
Sunglasses and flip-flops on a striped beach towel in the sand, representing pool and beach essentials to keep organized

Pool & Beach Essentials Storage Solutions 

☀ Utilize Mesh Storage Bags or Bins: Use mesh bags or bins to store pool and beach toys. These allow air to circulate, helping the toys dry quickly and preventing mold or mildew from forming. Great for storing sand toys in a garage. 


☀ Install Wall-Mounted Racks or Hooks: Save floor space by installing wall-mounted racks or hooks in your pool area or garage. Use these to hang larger items, like floaties, noodles, and beach chairs.


☀ Use a Storage Box or Deck Box: Invest in a waterproof storage box or deck box to keep your pool and beach toys safe and protected from the elements. Choose a box with adequate ventilation to avoid moisture buildup. Here are two great options: this one is inexpensive but will get the job done, and this one is extra large if you need a lot of storage space.
 

☀ Repurpose Laundry Baskets: Grab a few plastic laundry baskets for an inexpensive and portable storage solution. They’re perfect for toting toys to and from the pool or beach, and they drain water easily.

 

☀ Create a Grab-and-Go Bag: Pack a designated bag with beach and pool essentials like sunscreen, towels, and snacks. Keep it ready to go for those last-minute trips, ensuring you have everything you need without the hassle.

 

Bright living room with ottoman and woven basket for hidden storage, showing small space organization with cozy style

Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind - Storage Tips for Small Spaces


🏠 Go Vertical

When you can’t spread out, go up. Walls aren’t just for decor—they’re prime real estate for extra storage. Floating shelves can hold books, decor, or even pantry staples, while pegboards and hooks are perfect for organizing tools, accessories, or kitchen gadgets. You can also hang baskets or wire bins to get items off the floor and into easy reach. 

Bonus tip: Use the backs of cabinets or closet doors to mount slim vertical racks or caddies. They’re perfect for holding spices, cutting boards, or even cleaning supplies while keeping everything tucked away but accessible.

 

🏠 Double Duty Furniture: Your Secret Weapon

Furniture that works overtime is a game-changer. Choose pieces that work as storage and function, like ottomans with hidden compartments, beds with built-in drawers, or coffee tables that lift to reveal hidden storage. Console tables behind sofas or in hallways can hold decor on top while sneaking in bins or baskets below. 

Bonus tip: If you’re short on space, think mobile—rolling carts or storage cubes on wheels can double as portable storage that you can tuck away when not in use.

 

🏠 Don't Forget Your Doors

Doors are an often-overlooked storage solution. Over-the-door organizers aren’t just for shoes—use them to store snacks, cleaning supplies, or even scarves and hats. Hooks or adhesive baskets can be mounted to hold light items like keys, bags, or phone chargers. 

Bonus tip: For renters, removable adhesive hooks and organizers are a game-changer. They let you maximize door and wall space without worrying about leaving marks behind. This is my favorite (I've probably used it 100 times in my client's homes!).

Minimalist corner with woven basket and modern chair, symbolizing the impact of a quick 10-minute tidy-up

The Power of a 10-minute Tidy

🕒 Set a Timer Literally set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much you can get done. You’ll be amazed at how fast you move when you’re racing the clock. It turns tidying into a game, and before you know it, a cluttered space becomes neat again.

 

🗑 Focus on Hotspots You know the places where clutter just grows? Like the entryway where shoes pile up, or the kitchen counter that collects mail? Focus your 10-minute tidy on these high-traffic areas and nip the clutter in the bud before it spirals out of control.

 

đŸ§ș Grab a Basket If you’re overwhelmed by stuff scattered around the house, grab a basket or bin and walk room to room, collecting items that are out of place. Once your 10 minutes are up, return the items to their homes and enjoy the instant transformation.

 

👧 👩 Make It a Family Affair Get the kids involved! Turn on some music, set the timer, and see who can pick up the most. This makes tidying fun and takes the load off of you. Plus, teaching kids to tidy in small bursts helps them build long-lasting habits.

Person folding clothes into neat piles, representing the ongoing process of home organization

View Organization as a Journey, Not a Destination
 

✹ Embrace Continuous Improvement: Organization isn't a one-time achievement; it's a continuous process. Start by setting small, manageable goals for yourself. Each step, no matter how small, contributes to your overall progress.


✹ Learn From Setbacks: Inevitably, there will be days when things don't go as planned. Instead of viewing these moments as failures, see them as opportunities to learn and improve your organizational strategies.


✹ Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your milestones, no matter how minor they may seem. Each bit of progress is a step forward on your journey, reinforcing a positive mindset and encouraging further development.

organized home how to keep track of everyday items

Keep Track of Everyday Items

🔑 Designate a Drop Zone

Set up a small area near your front door or another central spot for essentials like keys, wallets, and sunglasses. A decorative tray, a wall-mounted hook, or a simple bowl can do the trick. Make it a habit to drop these items in their spot as soon as you come home.

 

đŸ“± Use Labels for Clarity

For items like chargers, remotes, or reading glasses, create labeled bins or containers. A small basket on your coffee table for remotes or a box labeled “chargers” in your drawer ensures everything has a place—and everyone in your household knows where it belongs.

 

🎒 Create a “Grab-and-Go” Station

Dedicate a space for the things you need to take with you daily—think gym bags, lunchboxes, or reusable shopping bags. A small shelf or hooks by the door can make mornings smoother and more organized. 

 

👓 Think Visibility

Keep high-use items like glasses or headphones in spots that are easy to see and access. A simple stand on your bedside table or a tray on your desk keeps them in sight and out of the clutter.

 

📂 Reset at the End of the Day

Take 2 minutes each evening to reset your spaces. Return items to their designated homes so you wake up to a tidy, organized area—and can avoid the morning scramble.

Decluttered and organized home office desk for more efficient work space

Reset Your Workspace in 5 Minutes

🗑 Clear Off Your Desk Start by removing anything that doesn’t need to be there—cups, snack wrappers, random papers, you know the drill. Toss what you don’t need and neatly stack or file the rest. Bonus: Keep a small bin nearby for quick cleanups like this.

 

âœđŸ» Declutter + Organize Take a quick scan of your workspace tools—pens, notebooks, chargers, etc. Make sure everything has a home. Keep the essentials within arm’s reach and stash anything you won’t need for tomorrow. Remember: a clean desk equals a clear mind!

 

đŸ–„ïž Tide Up Your Digital Space Don’t forget about your virtual workspace! Close any unused browser tabs, declutter your desktop, and organize files into the right folders. My brain always feels like I have 25 tabs open
anyone else??

 

📆 Prep For Tomorrow Finish by setting out what you’ll need first thing in the morning—whether it’s your to-do list, an important document, or just a fresh notebook. This helps set you up for a smooth start and saves you from scrambling.

Make Screenshots Work for You

📁 Create Photo Albums by Category
In your phone’s Photos app, create albums for the things you regularly screenshot. Think: “Recipes,” “Gift Ideas,” “To Buy,” “School Stuff,” “Home Projects.” Don’t overthink the categories—just make them functional.
 

Pro tip: If you're extra (like me), you can create album covers in Canva, making it easier to find these categories in a sea of birthday and vacation albums. Or in my case, 100's of before and after photos.

 

đŸ“„ File As You Go
When you take a new screenshot, file it immediately into the right album. It takes 3 seconds and saves you from endless scrolling later. If that feels like too much in the moment, set a reminder once a week to clear your screenshot folder.

 

🔍 Use the Search Feature
Did you know you can search your Photos app by words that appear in the image? Try searching “Amazon” or “taco” or “Target” and see what pops up. It’s not perfect, but it’s surprisingly helpful when you forget to file.

 

đŸ§č Declutter Regularly
Once a month, do a quick scan of your albums and delete anything that’s no longer relevant. It’s a small act of digital self-care, and it keeps your phone from becoming a black hole of forgotten info.