Keeping the house organized may seem like a difficult task, especially when trying to follow high standards of perfection. However, organization doesn’t have to mean a spotless home all the time. The key is to find a balance that works for you, with simple and sustainable practices that don’t overload your routine. In this post, we will share some practical tips to keep your home in order without the need for perfectionism.
1. Organize by Zone, Not by Item
One of the biggest traps of organization is focusing on organizing each individual item, which can be exhausting and lead to frustrating results. Instead, try organizing your home by zones or areas. This makes the task more practical and less time-consuming. For example:
- Kitchen: Organize your utensil drawers, tools, and ingredients in a way that is easy to access, without needing to organize each small item all the time.
- Living room: Create a zone for daily-use items like remote controls, books, and magazines, and avoid overloading it with unnecessary items.
This method reduces the feeling of overload, helping keep the environment more relaxed without the stress of constant organization.
2. Use the “Less is More” Principle
Often, homes become messy because we accumulate unnecessary items. Adopting the “less is more” principle is a way to reduce clutter without spending much time organizing. To do this:
- Declutter regularly: Do periodic clean-ups of items that are no longer used, such as clothes, kitchen tools, and electronics.
- Avoid impulse buying: Before buying something, ask yourself if you really need it. Avoiding excess items helps prevent messiness.
By reducing the number of objects, you also decrease the amount of maintenance and organization needed.
3. Set Simple Cleaning Routines
Instead of trying to do a big deep clean on a single day, create simple and quick cleaning routines throughout the week. This helps maintain the home organized without huge efforts. Some tips for creating a simple routine include:
- Quick daily cleaning: Wipe down daily-use surfaces, like tables and countertops, every day. This prevents dirt buildup.
- Unclutter daily: Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to put things back in their places. This helps avoid accumulating items out of place.
- Wash dishes immediately: To prevent piles of dirty dishes, wash them right after meals or, if possible, use a dishwasher.
These small, quick tasks help maintain the house organized without overwhelming work.
4. Have a Storage Place for Everything
To keep the house organized in a practical way, it’s essential that each item has its place. This doesn’t mean everything needs to be perfectly arranged, but when you’re done using something, you know where to put it back. Some tips include:
- Boxes and baskets: Use boxes or baskets to store items that are frequently used, such as toys, clothes, or tools. This helps hide clutter and makes putting things away easier.
- Vertical organizers: Use shelves and hooks to take advantage of vertical space, especially in areas like entryways and bathrooms.
Creating an accessible and efficient storage system is key to preventing clutter without spending too much time organizing.
5. Avoid Perfectionism: Organize According to Your Reality
The idea of having a perfectly organized home all the time is often unrealistic and overwhelming for those trying to achieve it. It’s important to remember that organization should be functional, not perfect. Every home has its own routine and lifestyle, so the goal should be practicality, not perfection. Some tips for dealing with perfectionism include:
- Accept occasional messiness: During busier times, the home will get messy. Accept this as part of the process and don’t feel guilty.
- Organize according to your needs: If you have kids or pets, organization will need to be more flexible to accommodate their items. The most important thing is that your home is functional for your daily life.
Understanding that the home doesn’t need to be perfect every day will reduce pressure and make organizing more natural and enjoyable.
6. Do Regular Deep Cleanings
While daily organization is important, doing a deep clean from time to time also helps keep everything in order. A deep clean may include:
- Washing windows and curtains
- Sanitizing carpets and upholstery
- Organizing cabinets and drawers
Doing a more thorough clean every three months, for example, can help prevent dirt buildup and make the home even more pleasant without overloading the routine.
