Perhaps you’re getting ready to move into one of our new homes in Vancouver WA, and you want to get organized in preparation of the big move. Or maybe you’ve just moved into one of our homes and want to make the most of the space and storage and start out organized from day one. No matter what your reason is for wanting to get organized, it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it often seems. A few simple steps will get you on the way to a more relaxed yet ordered lifestyle.

First and foremost, don’t beat yourself up if ordered isn’t your normal style. With busy lives and stress, it’s easy to let things pile up when all you want to do is sit down and put your feet up for a few minutes. Plus, it can be hard to get rid of things, especially if they were gifts or have sentimental value. Your best bet is to start small and be realistic. Don’t try to tackle the whole house in one weekend, but also be honest with yourself about whether you really need that dress or old tshirt anymore when you never wear them and only get nostalgic when you’re about to get rid of them. If something is really no use to you anymore, get rid of it, either through donation, selling, or tossing it in the trash.

Now that you’re in a better mental place to start organizing and making tough decisions set a schedule for organizing. Work it into your daily life, setting aside as little as 15 minutes to start, just to get you used to it, and so you don’t feel like you have to do everything at once. Whether you set a specific amount of time and a time of day or just mentally plan to do some organization, just make sure you follow through.

Starting small really is the best way to begin. If you want to organize your kitchen, start with your pantry, or just the cabinets with plates and glasses. By working in smaller sections, you don’t get as overwhelmed, and you can focus more clearly. Just doing one junk drawer can give you a real sense of satisfaction and help you feel more prepared to keep going with larger projects.

Ideally, get the kids involved, too. They probably have a lot of toys spread out around the house or have drawers that could stand to be organized. Give them age-appropriate tasks and get them used to the idea of everything having a place where it belongs. At the end of each day, clean up should be part of playing. Encourage younger children that even their toys need a good night’s sleep in their own special place. Make sure you supply your kids with storage that is easy for them to access and consider labeling to help remind them where items go.

As you work your way through your home, consider keeping boxes or bags set aside for items that you want to potentially sell, donate, or throw away. As soon as you make a decision, put the item in the appropriate bag or box. That will help manage any clutter as you’re organizing and make it easier to say goodbye as most things that are out of sight are out of mind.

Finally, once you have your home organized and everything in its place, make sure you (and your family) spend 15 minutes or so each day taking care of things that pile up on a daily basis. Whether it’s washing pots, loading/unloading the dishwasher, putting away clean clothes, sorting through the mail, or small tasks like that, if you spend a little time each day, it’s harder for things to get out of hand again. You may want to make a list of things to do monthly, as well, such as sorting out medicine cabinets, or organizing bathroom or sock drawers. As you go along, you may find better places for items than originally planned, so do what will work best for you and don’t be afraid to move things around.

With a little time each day spent organizing, along with breaking down large tasks into smaller, less overwhelming chores, your homes in Vancouver WA will soon be more organized and easier to maintain. Best of all, a clean, organized home is good for your mental health. By knowing exactly where everything is, you feel like you have more control over your life, and that’s always a good feeling.

Categorized in: Design Tips, Floorplan Info, New Home Tips, Things To Do

This post was written by Pacific Lifestyle Homes