3 organization systems for your home
Have you heard the buzz term ‘organization systems’ recently? It seems everyone is using it but not clearly defining what it is, what it means, the benefits of it or how to implement them. In this blog post I will break down everything you need to know about ‘organization systems’ and give you three examples that I feel every home needs to have.
Hi, I’m Erin and I am the proud owner of Live Organized by Erin in Austin, TX. I’m a firm believer that an organized home is possible for everyone and I want to help you get there. I love helping my clients live more organized lives so that they can save their most valuable asset- time! I hope this blog post inspires you to implement an organization system (or more!) in your home. These systems are easy to implement and you will feel the benefits immediately.
Ok - what exactly is an ‘organization system’? To me, it is a structured method of categorizing items that helps keep your home organized and clutter free (or clutter less) by managing your belongings. Think of it as a holding pattern for things that need your time, attention, or space but you cannot handle them right now. With these systems in place, common clutter items will have a space to live instead of being strewn all over your home.
Here are 3 essential organization systems that every home needs to have:
return system
do you struggle with keeping track of returns scattered around your home? This system helps you keep all your returns in one place, making them easy to see and remember when you leave your home. Depending on how many returns you have, use one or more baskets to store your returns. In my home, I use four baskets: one for Amazon, one for Target, and two for less frequent retailers. I keep these my bins on a high shelf in the laundry room so I see them when I put on my shoes to leave. You can also set up your return system in a front hall closet or garage, anywhere it's visible as a reminder and preferably where you enter and exit your home. If I am on my way out to Target the bins are in my sight line and I can easily grab my returns before running out the door. Maybe I have a return to Amazon and I need to pick up some items from Whole Foods, I’ll quickly grab those returns and handle them while I am there. Use see-through bins to avoid the “out of sight, out of mind” issue. Streamline your returns and ensure you get your refunds with this simple, easy-to-maintain system! I am going to link some great options for return centers below.
backstock system
If you buy in bulk or have extra items, setting up a backstock area will save you space. Instead of cramming all supplies into cabinets or drawers, store them in your garage or other areas of your home. For instance, keep a few paper towel rolls in the pantry and store the rest in the garage. If you have multiple ketchup bottles, keep the extras in the pantry instead of the fridge. You can also use this system in the bathroom for additional beauty, face or hair products—store them in a nearby linen closet for easy access. The benefits of this back stock system includes preventing duplicate items, avoiding unnecessary purchases, and maximizing storage. Think of it as setting up a little store within your home. If you run out of an item, check your backstock before buying a replacement.
to be donated system
This is my absolute favorite organization system for maintaining a home that fits your current lifestyle and needs. My favorite place to implement a to be donated system is in closets, but they can also be used in playrooms, garages- anywhere! Let’s use a closet as our example. Simply place a basket, bin or laundry basket (which is what I use) in at least one closet per floor of your home. Every time a child outgrows an item, an item no longer fits your lifestyle or you simply no longer like an item- you toss it into the donation bin. This relieves the stress of feeling like you are constantly running donations. You simply wait for the bin to get full, bag it up, and take it directly to donation. This system will help you continually declutter a space instead of letting everything accumulate, which can lead to frustration. If you decide to use this system in a playroom, it is a great teaching moment for your kids to learn how to let go of items when they are done using them. Added bonus is that it will keep your playroom from getting too out of control. I am going to link some options for donation bins below. These can be used on the floor of a closet or up high on a shelf. Keeping the bin within eye sight will remind you to use it.
I hope you feel confident and inspired to implement one or even all of these various organization systems into your home. I would love to hear your feedback on whether you currently have these systems in place and how they work for you. For me, these simple organization systems help me keep a little bit of sanity during our busy days.
Thank you for reading!
