U•STORE•IT > Blog > home organization

Like a lot of people, you are probably spending a lot of time in your home right now. You may be wishing that it was a little more organized and less cluttered, you’re definitely not alone in that sentiment. The Mayo Clinic even recognizes the link between getting organized and your mental health. Here are some tips to help whip your home into an organized space and make it feel a little less chaotic.

Organization Saves You Time

A huge time waster can be when you can’t find the items you are looking for. For instance, if you have kids, it can be especially helpful to label where things belong and encourage them to place them back in the same spot every time to prevent searching for misplaced or lost items. In your kitchen, bathroom, and office, this can be a good rule for adults too. Knowing where things go prevents spending mental energy on remembering where you put them. It can even save you time when you’re cleaning your home.

Think “Do I really need this?”

It might be tempting to hold onto clothing or kitchenware that you might use “someday,” but it all contributes to clutter. Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule? 80% of the time we probably use 20% of the clothing, kitchen items, etc. in our homes. 

  • Look through your kitchen: Do you have duplicate items? Dishes that you use once a year? Way more pots and pans than you really need?
  • Look through your bathroom: Do you have personal care products that are outdated, or that you have been hanging onto, but will probably never use?
  • Look through your closet: Can you donate anything right now? Turn your hangers in a single direction, as you wear items, turn the hook in the opposite direction. The items you haven’t worn after three months (maybe with the exception of evening wear or special occasion clothing) is probably a candidate to donate.

Use the One-In-One-Out Guideline

When you shop, think about if you truly need or want an item enough to donate one already in your home. If you don’t then it will probably only contribute to clutter and more stuff accumulating in your home.

Buy Organization Tools

Bins, shelving units, hooks; these items will all help you get organized. Stock up on these organizational tools at the store and use them to bring some order to a room that may need it. Bins and hooks can organize items in the kitchen and bathroom, shelving units can bring a touch of sophistication to a living room or bedroom. Use them generously!

Go Digital

If you’re a music, movie, or book lover (or perhaps all three) consider going digital for new purchases. There are many options to stream music and movies, and also read books on your phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Check them out to see if one of these options is right for you and your family. 

  • For music: Apple Music, Google Music, and Spotify
  • For movies: Netflix, Crave, Amazon, Disney+
  • For books: Audible, Kobo, and Google Books

While you’re decluttering, you might notice that you need some extra storage space. We have residential storage units of varying sizes to accommodate your decluttering and removing the chaos of disorganization.

The garage is one of the worst areas for organizational issues in a home. It can end up being a catchall for storing unused furniture, tools, and equipment. It can become a real mess if it is not properly organized. U•STORE•IT has some tips to help get that garage in order and organize it like a pro.

You Need to Categorize

You may have heard of the three pile system when moving or organizing the interior of your home. You designate one pile to keep, one to sell, and one to donate. We recommend adding two more categories: one pile for items to repair and another for items to go into a storage unit if required. Put all the items in your garage into these five piles and then act on it.

Create Zones

Assign areas of the garage for certain items. Have a boat? Have a motorcycle? Have a snowmobile? Have sports equipment? Put all of the items with a similar use close together and create zones to make everything easier to find and bring a more strategic approach to where things live in your garage.

You Need Shelving

Have no shelving on the walls? This can mean that all of your belongings are on the concrete floor. Installing wire shelving is easy and cost-effective and can create more storage space in space in your garage to work with. Even plastic and metal shelving can work as well if you want the option to move your shelving around to find the configuration that works for you.

You Need Storage Bins/Totes

The garage is not one of the most sealed-off areas of your home. The cold of the winter months and rodents and/or bugs might get into your garage and wreak havoc on your stored items. Consider plastic bins or totes for any items that might be vulnerable to changes in temperature, humidity, or vermin such as extra clothing, linens, and winter items. Make sure these items are stored in bins with a lid to minimize the possibility of damage. You could even consider installing ceiling track storage for your bins to create more space!

Add Tool Racks

Purchase or build racks for your garden tools such as shovel, rake, broom, hose, etc. Ensure that you size for the tallest item to avoid any installation errors. You can even put up a pegboard to store smaller tools such as hammers, saws, screwdrivers, and wrenches. 

You Need Labels

The first step to keeping a space organized is to know where everything is and where it should be returned to after it’s used. A labelling system for bins, tools, and small items can go a long way in keeping you in line with your own organization system and allow other people in your household to quickly see where items belong.

If you’re cleaning out your garage and find that you need a storage unit, U•STORE•IT has a variety of sizes in locations in Edmonton, St. Albert, and Red Deer to serve you.