Where should I start when getting organized?

Start with the space that frustrates you every day, usually the bedroom closet or the kitchen pantry, and break it into pieces you can finish in one sitting. UF/IFAS Extension suggests clearing one closet or one drawer at a time rather than a whole room. Finishing small areas builds momentum for bigger jobs like the garage.

How much time should I spend organizing each day?

Fifteen to thirty minutes a day is enough for steady progress, as the tips above explain. UF/IFAS Extension recommends choosing tasks you can finish in the time you have and making it easier with a timer or music. Put daily, weekly and monthly tasks on a simple schedule so each job stays small.

Should I buy storage bins before I declutter?

No. Declutter first, then measure the space and count what's left. Buying bins first often means storing things you don't need in containers that don't fit. Once you know what stays, choose containers or a closet system sized for it. A designer can measure and plan the space at a free in-home consultation.

When is the best time to get organized in South Florida?

Any month works, but two dates help. Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 (NOAA), so spring is a good time to clear the garage and set up a supply shelf. If you leave for the summer, organize closets before you go, following UF/IFAS advice to leave only clean clothes with space between them.

How to Get Organized: A Room-by-Room Plan

Dave KushnerDecember 12, 2019Updated October 9, 20268 min read

Filed underHome organization blog

How to Get Organized: A Room-by-Room Plan

To get organized, work in short sessions on one small area at a time, start with the rooms you use every day, give each item a set home and buy storage only after you declutter. University of Florida Extension guidance suggests clearing one closet or a single drawer per session instead of a whole room.

Key takeaways

Short sessions you can finish beat weekend marathons (UF/IFAS Extension).
Work room by room: bedroom closets, entry, pantry, laundry, home office, then the garage.
Declutter and measure before you buy bins or a closet system.
In South Florida, keep paper, fabric and leather out of hot, humid spaces.
Use the weeks before hurricane season starts on June 1 as a yearly reset for the garage and supply shelf.

The new year will be here in a matter of weeks, and one tradition you might participate in is resolving to change something about yourself, your home, or your life in the new year. While new year’s resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep, it doesn’t have to be that way if you have chosen to get more organized in 2020. Taking small steps can help you reach the goal of a neat and tidy home. Check out these tips for not only getting organized in January but also staying organized all year long.

Donate Unused Items

‘Tis the season for giving. You might be able to give to those in need while also paring down your belongings for better organization. If you have children, donating unwanted toys is a wonderful way to not only share the love during the holiday season but also clear out some room for any new toys they might get for Christmas or Hanukkah.

If you can guiltlessly box up items and drop them off weekly at your thrift shop or charity of choice, then do that. If you hesitate and are worried that you might need something, tape up the boxes and store them in your attic, basement, or garage for now. Date the boxes. When six months have passed, take any boxes that you haven’t opened and drop them off without any worries (and without opening them!). You haven’t needed the items in this long and it’s unlikely you’ll need them again. If you have needed items, then keep those specific things and get rid of the rest.

Stock Up on Containers

It’s hard to get organized without having enough space to stash your stuff. There are often sales on baskets, bins, and boxes this time of year (because companies know that their consumers are organizing in anticipation of the new year). These can go on shelves, under beds, in linen closets, and so on. Plastic bins can be stacked in a storage area such as a garage or basement, and baskets might look nice in various areas of your home.

What to put in them? Anything you can think of! Keep your dog’s toys in a basket that you have set up in the corner of the living room so you have a place to put them before you go to bed each night. Magazines can also go into a basket. Just remember to go through it periodically to recycle what you’ve read (or what you won’t have time to read). Small bins can hold washcloths or toiletries in the linen closet or spices in your pantry. Instead of a junk drawer in the kitchen, you might place items like batteries, flashlights, and the clear tape in a basket on top of your refrigerator. If you have items that don’t have a home, see if it would make sense to put them in a container.

Spend 15 to 30 Minutes Per Day

Many people think that in order to get organized, they should devote an entire weekend to cleaning out the garage or a few evenings to working through their master bedroom closet. While this is one way to handle a big project, you can get just as much accomplished if you set aside just 15 to 30 minutes to focus your attention and efforts on a problem area.

You might think that such a short amount of time won’t be enough to accomplish anything, but you would be surprised! In 15 minutes, you could go through one or two drawers or a section of your closet. You could possibly organize an entire small bookshelf in 30 minutes. You could certainly get through a shelf or two. You could take everything out from under your kitchen or bathroom sink and put it all away neatly in about 15 minutes. You might even find that some tasks that you thought would take a while only take five or ten minutes if you focus on them and just get it done.

Have an Organizing Party

One of the best ways to get through a large organization project is to invite a few friends over for an organizing party. You might want to do this if you need to get through your shed or garage. You provide lunch and drinks (pizza and beer or soda works well). Also, have plenty of boxes, garbage bags, and laundry baskets on hand.

What you’ll want to do is have people throw items that are obviously trash in the garbage bags. If you already know that you want to donate some things, go ahead and put them in a box. Once the box is full, put it in your car immediately so you can take it to your local thrift shop. Items someone isn’t sure about can go in the laundry baskets for you or your spouse to go through. You might be amazed at how quickly you can get through a large area when you have a lot of hands helping. Having the moral support of friends might also give you the strength you need to make tough decisions and donate items you don’t need anymore.

Call in the Experts

Finally, don’t feel as though you have to deal with disorganization all on your own. Custom closet organizers like those designed by the storage experts at Closet Decor & More increase your storage space and give you a lot more room. A custom master bedroom closet, an adjustable children’s closet, a new kitchen pantry, or a garage storage system can make the difference between a messy home and a well-organized haven. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home design appointment in your South Florida home and learn more about how to get organized in the new year.

Updated for South Florida (October 2026)

A room-by-room plan you can start any month
1. Bedroom closets. Pull out what you don't wear, then group what's left by type. See small-closet organizing tips.
2. Entry or mudroom. Hooks, a shoe shelf and one drop zone for keys and mail. See mudroom organization.
3. Kitchen pantry. Check dates, group by use and keep everyday items at eye level. See pantry shelving and how to stock a pantry.
4. Laundry room. Sort, fold and store in one place. See laundry room cabinets.
5. Home office. Get files, cables and supplies off the desk. See home office storage.
6. Garage. Save it for last; it's usually the biggest job. See garage storage systems and what not to store in a garage.
Keep it organized all year
UF/IFAS Extension recommends a realistic schedule with daily, weekly and monthly tasks, and projects you can finish in the time you have, such as one closet or one drawer. A timer or music helps. Put a 15-minute closet reset on the calendar each month so clutter never builds back up.
South Florida storage rules of thumb
UF/IFAS notes that Florida is warm and humid, that wood, cotton, wool and leather can decay and develop odors, and that metal can rust where a coating is scratched. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent. Keep photos, documents and clothing in air-conditioned rooms, and use the garage for tools and sturdy gear. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (NOAA), so set up a supply shelf in spring; see hurricane-season garage storage.
When to bring in help
If a space still doesn't work after you declutter, the storage may be the problem. A free in-home design consultation includes a 3D design and a written quote. For quick wins, try our 22 room-by-room organization shortcuts.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start when getting organized?: Start with the space that frustrates you every day, usually the bedroom closet or the kitchen pantry, and break it into pieces you can finish in one sitting. UF/IFAS Extension suggests clearing one closet or one drawer at a time rather than a whole room. Finishing small areas builds momentum for bigger jobs like the garage.
How much time should I spend organizing each day?: Fifteen to thirty minutes a day is enough for steady progress, as the tips above explain. UF/IFAS Extension recommends choosing tasks you can finish in the time you have and making it easier with a timer or music. Put daily, weekly and monthly tasks on a simple schedule so each job stays small.
Should I buy storage bins before I declutter?: No. Declutter first, then measure the space and count what's left. Buying bins first often means storing things you don't need in containers that don't fit. Once you know what stays, choose containers or a closet system sized for it. A designer can measure and plan the space at a free in-home consultation.
When is the best time to get organized in South Florida?: Any month works, but two dates help. Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 (NOAA), so spring is a good time to clear the garage and set up a supply shelf. If you leave for the summer, organize closets before you go, following UF/IFAS advice to leave only clean clothes with space between them.

Sources

UF/IFAS Extension: Keeping It Clean: Plan Your Cleaning, FCS5232-11, accessed October 9, 2026
UF/IFAS Extension: Closing Your Seasonal Home, FCS3154 (revised April 2026), accessed October 9, 2026
US EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (updated February 18, 2026), accessed October 9, 2026
NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology, accessed October 9, 2026

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