How to Get Organized in 2020

Dave Kushner • Dec 12, 2019

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.

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