9 Organizing Mistakes To Avoid

Avoid these organizing mistakes to make your transition to an organized home smoother!

Organizing your home can feel totally overwhelming, and it’s easy to fall into common traps that make organization even harder. If you’ve started your home organization journey, only to fall back in to the same messy house 1 month later, you may be unconsciously following some of these organizing mistakes! In this post, I’ll share some common organizing mistakes that you might be making (I’ve made them too!), and provide practical solutions to help you create the clutter-free home you want.

This post is all about organizing mistakes!

Organizing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Trying to Organize Before You’ve Decluttered

If you jump straight into organizing without decluttering first, you will simply be re-arranging a bunch of items you don’t need. That’s why decluttering needs to be the first step to an organized home. Your life will be so much easier if you minimize and organize. Trying to organize overflowing cabinets and drawers is a recipe for disaster. Start by letting go (either donating, recycling, or throwing out) items that no longer serve a purpose in your home. Getting rid of clutter first will make organizing so much more manageable, and sustainable!

2. Holding Onto Items “Just in Case”

While we’re talking about decluttering, it’s important to be aware of any items you may be holding onto in case you might need it some day. Think about whether you’ve already had this item for several years just in case. Be honest with yourself about what you truly use!

3. Not Measuring Your Space

If you decide to buy storage solutions, you need to take detailed and accurate measurements of your space before heading to the store or placing your online order. If you don’t, there’s a chance your items won’t fit properly – which can either waste money, space, or both! Always take accurate measurements before buying organizational products to ensure they suit your space.

4. Overcomplicating Organizational Systems

The more complex the organizational system is, the harder it will be to maintain. Try to keep it as simple as possible, by using categories that make sense to you (you don’t have to copy what you see online!) and putting items in locations that make sense. For example, don’t put your pantry spices on the opposite side of the kitchen from the area you cook.

5. Not Assigning Specific “Homes” for Items

Without designated spots for belongings, items can easily end up scattered and your organized home will quickly become chaos. When organizing your house, make sure every item has a specific place – so once you’re done using it, you can return it to the space. This will also help family members or others living in your home keep up with the organizational systems!

6. Not Labelling Storage Containers

Unlabeled bins can make it difficult to find what you need, leading to frustration and difficulty maintaining your organizational systems. Use clear labels to ensure everything can easily be returned to its correct home. This is especially helpful in pantries and storage closets.

7. Ignoring Vertical Space

To have an organized home, it’s important to take advantage of all storage spaces. Neglecting vertical space means missing out on valuable storage opportunities. Wall-mounted shelves and over-the-door organizers are great ways to take advantage of the height in your home. Or, tall bookshelves with built-in storage are a perfect mix of decor and function.

8. Buying Non-Functional Furniture

To keep a home organized, you need storage space. One of the best ways to create more storage space is to buy furniture with built-in storage. If you buy furniture that’s not functional, you’re missing out on potential space to keep your home organized and household stuff tucked away.

Below is an example of a storage bench in my living room – it serves dual purpose as seating, and storage for items like yoga mats, games, blankets, etc.

9. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

Organizing is not a one-and-done task. Without regular upkeep, spaces can quickly become cluttered again. Set aside time periodically to reassess your organization systems.

One way you can do this is to keep a donation box in a central area like your front hall closet or bedroom closet. Whenever you come across something you don’t use, toss it in the donation bin! This allows you to declutter as you go, rather than waiting for one day that you have to go through every item in your home.

Another way to keep up with regular maintenance is to have a simple daily routine before bed. I like to do a “10 minute tidy” before bed, returning everything to its home so I can start the next day fresh.

By recognizing and addressing these common organizing mistakes, you can create a more efficient home. Hopefully these tips helped you understand how to organize effectively, so you can develop systems that work long-term!

This post was all about organizing mistakes.

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