Home organization 101
Adding organizational tips and tricks to your daily routine could make the difference between structured bliss and cluttered chaos. Start by picking one or two of the following suggestions and practice them regularly until they become household habits. You may find that life gets just a little easier.
Set up stations
Organizational experts often recommend creating stations or zones in your home, and for good reason. By identifying chaotic hot spots and grouping solution-oriented items together, you can alleviate much of the stress of the a.m. dash or the after-school rush.
- Mobilize for the morning by setting up a breakfast station with all the items you commonly need in plain view, and organize the mud room or vestibule so everyone has an area to keep grab-and-go items.
- Has your family's multimedia habit become a housekeeping headache? Create shelving, drawers or boxes to store all your CDs, DVDs, gaming disks and remotes — and be sure to label everything. Include a separate section for items that need to be returned to the library or to friends.
Give it a home
A lot of organizational nightmares happen because there's no proper home for an item or a type of paperwork. For example:
- Store household paperwork together in an accessible filing cabinet or filing box — in labelled file folders, of course.
- Keep toys in plastic bins or cubbies, storing like with like: art supplies in one, dolls in another and games in another. Label each container so it's easier to put things back where they belong.
Make it a family affair
You can set up all the systems you like, but if the other members of your household don't abide by them, you'll likely end up with the mess.
- Try setting a cleaning night where everyone pitches in. For example, on Thursday nights, order pizza as an incentive (choose one with a wholegrain crust and lots of veggies!) and give everyone a cleaning task, or have them pick from a jar. That way, the house is clean for the weekend, and you can all relax and spend more time together.
- Assign everyday chores based on age and ability. For example, little kids can set the table, older kids can dust, and teens can do yard work. A job board ensures everyone knows when they have to complete their assignments, and gets them a check or a gold star when their task is done.
Cut prep time
For many households, weeknight cooking is a real chore. It often helps if you plan and prep ahead of time.
- Use the weekends (or other days off) to prepare. Plan a week's worth of meals and prepare a grocery list so that you're all set to go on Monday. If you can, take the preparation one step further by chopping veggies and meat ahead of time.
- Cook in bulk. Double your recipes and put half of the portion in the fridge or freezer – that way you'll have a delicious and nutritious meal later in the week and you'll only have to cook on half as many nights. Or try our tips for making your own frozen entrées so you have healthier meals at the ready when you're on the go.