12 Shortcuts for Organizing Your Home Room by Room

First things first, in order to keep your home organized, ADDitude Mag recommends considering the three R's:

1. Reduce everything you have to just the basic essentials.
2. Resourcefulness will help you find "creative ways" to organize your belongings.
3. Resilience will keep you from rushing out to buy more things.



Keeping these three rules in mind will help you maximize space and keep your home as clutter-free as possible.

Apply The Golden Rule to Your Closets

Simply put, when it comes to your closets, stick to the golden rule of organization, which states inventory should conform to storage. Go through your closets and remove everything from the shelves and cabinets. Then, evaluate whether or not you wish to keep each item. If something doesn't fit or you don't wear it anymore, toss it! You can also keep this mindset when it comes to other areas of your house.

If you're unsure about how to arrange the clothes in your closet, try:

• Storing clothes by season
• Folding to maximize space
• Bundling up accessories onto hangers
• Embracing wooden hangers for more visual appeal

Tame Your Kitchen's Inventory

Excess Tupperware tends to pile up. Throw out those old plastic containers that you hardly ever use and keep only the essentials. Leftovers are great, but do you really need 100 plastic boxes clogging up your cabinets and refrigerator? You could always use ziploc bags, tin foil, or plastic wrap if you run out of containers. Besides, fewer containers ensure that those delicious leftovers don't go to waste!

You should also consider reducing your amount of dishes as well. Donate or sell plates and bowls of different sizes, and instead, opt for a more uniform set for everyday use. Then, have another set for family gatherings & holiday feasts. 

For pantries that need a complete organization overhaul, consider:

• Labeling your clear containers
• Utilizing racks for spices and dry goods
• Slide-out drawers make storage a breeze
• Rotate food so older items get eaten first

Establish a Command Center

Tackle your endless to-do list and clutter of office and school supplies by establishing a command center somewhere in the house. Choose a spot that's most accessible to everyone, such as the living room or dining room.

Your command center should include a desk to serve as a workspace, as well as plenty of storage bins for various pens, pencils, paper clips, etc. You could even incorporate a whiteboard or magnetic chalkboard to help keep track of grocery lists and chore schedules.

Downsize Your Laundry Room

Keeping your laundry room free from clutter can go a long way in helping you organize your house. Minimize clutter by going vertical, such as opting for a stackable washer and dryer, stackable hampers, or installing hanging rods or a drying rack above the machines.



Additionally, storing laundry supplies in glass jars not only looks nice but also makes it easier to tell when you're running low on something. Another great tip is to add a wooden countertop on top of your washer and dryer to establish a dedicated space for folding laundry.

A Multifunctional Mudroom

Mudrooms are typically used for stashing dirty shoes, however, they can function as so much more. For instance, adding baskets can help you stash away out-of-season items like winter and summer accessories. Also, consider adding a bench to make putting on and taking off your shoes easier, as well as a shoe rack to better store those shoes.

Likewise, installing hooks can help you turn your mudroom into a coat rack station or a space to hang your children's backpacks.

Make Furniture Pull Double Duty

Here's a great tip for any room in your house, though it is especially useful in the living room, opt for furniture that can also serve as storage. For example, invest in an ottoman with a removable top and hollow inside so that you can rest your feet and store your slippers or other household essentials.



Similarly, for your bedroom, opt for a bed with a platform lift to also serve as a linen closet for extra pillows and sheets.

Going back to the bedroom, instead of a platform lift, opt for rollaway storage that you can wheel under your bed. You can still store your extra linens on the storage rack and have easy access whenever you need them. Simply roll the rack out, grab what you need, and then roll it back under your bed.

If you have a lot of shoes but not a big enough closet to store them in, find a small nook in your house and place tension rods between the walls to create an easy-to-install shoe rack. Tension rods are fairly affordable, so consider buying a few to create multiple levels.

Another great example of making furniture serve two different functions is by ditching your old nightstand and putting a small dresser in its place. As Woman's Day points out, not only do you gain a new space for storing extra clothing or bedding, but you can use the top as a regular nightstand. Plus, who doesn't love easy access to extra socks on those cold winter nights?

Bathroom Storage Hacks

Is your bathroom countertop cluttered with makeup, toothpaste, and other toiletries? Well, there are some pretty simple storage hacks you can apply to your bathroom to help you get organized.

First, upgrade the space under your sink by adding small racks or wire baskets in the cabinets. Also, adding stackable storage bins will you help you keep that space organized and easy to access. Install hooks behind the door to store extra supplies, such as hair accessories and hand towels.



Another great bathroom storage tip is to add a wicker basket next to the toilet for keeping extra rolls of toilet paper. This will help you alleviate space from under your sink's cabinets and make it easier to tell when you're running low. You may even be able to place a thin wooden rod between the basket's handles to serve as a toilet paper roll holder.

Playroom Organization

Playrooms are notorious for being messy and prone to clutter. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep this area organized. For instance, wicker baskets and clear storage bins are key to keeping things in order. If you don't have clear bins, consider writing on your storage boxes with a sharpie to denote which boxes store what toys. This can also serve double duty by helping your child learn to read.



Another must-have is cube storage. This is especially helpful when you are short on space. Plus, this type of storage is easy to keep clean and organized.

There are many shortcuts you can employ to keep every room in your home organized. First and foremost, remember the three R's of organization: reduce, resourcefulness, and resilience. Also, apply the golden rule of storage to your closets. Other tips such as downsizing your laundry room and making your furniture pull double duty can also help you easily keep your home organized. Keep the tips above in mind and your home will be free from clutter!