THE MINDSET
BY TEDDY WILLSON
IF YOUR HOUSE is full of so much stuff you just want to cry, hear this: (1) It’s OK! And (2) you can work your way to order. Decluttering entails more than purging what you don’t need—you also have to decide what you don’t want, says Carolyn Caldwell, a certified professional organizer in Toronto who specializes in chronic disorganization. “Organizing is an emotional experience. It’s about evaluating priorities.” Making choices about sentimental items and facing down your organizational tendencies, or lack thereof, is tough business. How we sort our belongings is personal and can be influenced by things like mental health, traumatic experiences (loss is a big one), and upbringing. Deep stuff .
Clara Schoen, owner of The Home Organized in Birmingham, Alabama, offers a way forward: Start somewhere that takes little emotional bandwidth. “If you try to tackle photos first, you’re setting yourself up for failure,” she says. “Try a space that’s more manageable, like your fridge, where you can get used to the ebb and flow of organizing. Then you can move to the emotionally taxing spaces.”
Once you’ve decided where to start, pull everything out, a section at a time, says Tara Stewart, an organizer in Lexington, Kentucky. Then sort it into “keep,” “trash,” and “donate” piles. “When deciding what to keep, ask yourself how you live right now,” Stewart says. Are you gonna use those flannel sheets in Southern California? Do you really think you’ll start throwing fondue parties?
If you’re stressed about a looming reorganization project, make a list of steps, not goals, says KC Davis, author of How to Keep House While Drowning. Instead of writing “organize pantry,” for example, jot down “toss expired food,” “clean sticky bottles,” etc. “Breaking a task into small steps gives you a road map and the satisfaction of checking off a list,” she says.
To maintain the space, set tidying appointments so Future You can continue enjoying your handiwork. And give yourself a clear end point, Caldwell says. Work just for the length of a peppy podcast or playlist. Also, be organized about your organizing: Keep a short list of tasks by room so you know where to start each time.
SOME HELPERS
Use this as a catchall while you tidy. Then sort the contents and fold flat to store. Hold-All Collapsible Laundry Basket, $35; us.josephjoseph.com
You don’t have to get rid of your paper piles! Just file them into no-fuss sections, like “for later.” Acrylic File Organizer, $50; potterybarn.com
Stash odds and ends in opaque bins to quickly handle unsightly areas. Try to work in categories, but don’t worry about making it look nice. Plastic Storage Bin, $5; containerstore.com
LOTS OF PEOPLE live in this middle ground. You know where things are (generally), but you wouldn’t call the shelf they’re on “orderly.” You don’t have junk everywhere, but you do have multiple junk drawers, and you bought canisters for the pantry that are just taking up space. You’ve got the right idea! You only need help with the execution.
First, take note (literally) of your home when it’s in disarray. “Don’t clean anything, don’t tidy up,” says Katherine Picott, founder of the home organizing firm Tidy Milso in Columbia, Maryland. “We need to see what’s working and what’s not.” Dog toys sprawled across the floor? Linens slumped over in the closet? Dog toys in the linen closet?! Jot it all down.
While you’re at it, add common frustrations, says Marissa Hagmeyer, cofounder of Neat Method, an organizing company with operations in the U.S. and Canada. Think: the scramble before work or the mad search for your passport before a flight. “It’s about knowing what’s tripping you up, but also what your priorities and goals are,” Caldwell says. “The more aware you are of your headaches (meaning, the actual messes) and your heartaches (your emotional responses to them), the more you can focus on each one specifically, as opposed to trying to fix everything at once.” You can’t expect life-changing solutions without first identifying the problems.
Now it’s time to get rid of some stuff . Because chaotic organizers tend to hang on to items—meh lipsticks, old mugs—a proper purge will make it easier to organize what you keep. Rule: If you haven’t used it in the past year, let it go.
Next, you will need some organizers, but remember that the purpose of organizing isn’t to buy pretty things, but to make your home function well. So if you’re not a decanted-fl our kind of person, all good! Go back to that list you wrote and consider solutions. A bin for plushies? A shelf divider to hold towels in place? The key for you: Think of these organizers as boundaries, Hagmeyer says. If a basket is overflowing, it’s time for an edit. “Stay within the boundary, and you’ll have a win, both visually and mentally.
No more avalanches of cookware! This nonslip number makes for tidy cabinets and easy access. StoreMore Expandable Cookware Rack, $40; youcopia.com
Not only do these rubberized hangers look great, their grip also keeps clothes from falling on the floor. Everyday Hangers, $38 for 25; neatmethod.com
This five-piece set comes with different-size bins, so you can Tetris them into any drawer. Luxe Acrylic Stacking Drawer Organizers, $31; containerstore.com
DO THE PHRASES “rainbow bookshelves” and “alphabetical order” make your heart sing? Then this one’s for you. You have it all (mostly!) under control. Still, you face challenges.
For starters: perfectionism. It’s a natural impulse, but it can hinder us, says Katherine Morgan Schafler, a psychotherapist and the author of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control. “We see the difference between our reality and an imagined, better reality, and we strive to bridge the gap.” When we don’t, we can be hard on ourselves, she adds. We get frustrated when the coat closet isn’t Instaworthy. Let yourself off the hook: Having the perfect pantry doesn’t make you a better person!
Let’s talk action items. Ready? “Our type A person is likely super prepared,” Stewart says, so we know you have a stockpile. We mean that collection of 83 rolls of toilet paper and 10 cans of corn. To make your organized system more functional, Stewart advises, try to cut down on the back stock. You might be fi ne with just 38 rolls and five cans! Use an accessible spot (like a utility shelf) so your family can see (and use, and not mistakenly restock) everything.
That brings us to your family! Odds are they’re not as organized as you. “We all interact with the world using different processing modalities,” Caldwell says. “We can be visual, kinesthetic, auditory, or verbal.” Each type perceives environments differently and has different organizing standards. Rather than forcing everyone to be hyperorganized (uphill battle!), help them help you. “I’m a big fan of labeling because everybody has to buy into the system,” Schoen says. The trick? Keep categories broad: “snacks” and “canned goods” instead of “chips” and “tuna.” This gives everyone just enough guidance.
Another tip: Don’t get rid of everyone’s stuff ; hide it! Schoen likes woven hampers that look way nicer than scattered toys. For Stewart, it’s a row of kitchen drawers. “Each family member has one drawer,” she says. “It’s dump and-go, but their stuff isn’t on the counter, so it’s a win.”
Finally, your systems should evolve with your life. “There are constant transitions that push you to rearrange,” Hagmeyer says. No matter the reason (seasons, hobbies), give yourself the grace to update a once-optimal space. Change can be good.
Toss in whatever (toys, laundry, shoes, blankets, etc.), close the lid, and carry on. La Jolla Basket, from $98; serenaandlily.com
Download the app to print custom labels for anything and everything. Dymo LetraTag Label Maker, $40; amazon.com
Sometimes you just need more storage. Adding extra surfaces, like these 32-inch long shelves, can be a simple solution for your family’s clutter. Index Wall Shelf, $399; burrow.com
FROM TOP: Illustrations by Boyoun Kim;
PRODUCT IMAGES COURTESY OF MANUFACTURERS