4 Areas to Prioritize Organizing in Your Home

Finding time to organize your home can be a challenge because there are only so many hours a day. Whether you have family or work obligations or are simply going through a busy season, decluttering and reorganizing every single space in your home might not be realistic. That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize and start with projects that will make the biggest difference in your daily life. Here are four areas of your home that you should organize first to make the most impact on your home and your routines.

The Kitchen

Whether you’re a family of two, three, or ten, everyone has to eat. So, starting with the kitchen is a smart move. Lindsey Mahanna, professional organizer and founder of Clutter to Clarity, recommends beginning with the pantry. “This space can get out of hand quickly,” she says. “What expired foods are hiding in the back? How many boxes of macaroni and cheese do you have scattered throughout? How much money have you wasted buying duplicates that are now going to expire before you use them?” These questions can help you assess and edit your pantry clutter.

Next, move on to the refrigerator. Get rid of expired foods or any condiments you regret purchasing (like that chili-flavored mustard that didn’t meet your expectations).

Lastly, declutter and reorganize your cooking gadgets and pots and pans. Keep what you’ll really use but let go of things like that tiny egg pan that lost its non-stick coating six months ago. 

The Laundry Room

Doing laundry can be a hassle, but Katie Dills, brand president of The Cleaning Authority, says that reorganizing your laundry room can make the task more pleasant. “Since most people use the laundry room at least once a week, tackling the organization of this space is worth it, especially considering that today’s laundry rooms are designed to invoke an airy, pleasant feeling,” Dills says. “Even though they may have improved in appearance and location, they still get dirty, messy, and cluttered.”

Start by sorting through bottles of detergent with just one use left (either prioritize using them or throw them out), toss those empty boxes of dryer sheets, and say bye to that scent booster that made you sneeze. 

Another good thing about organizing your laundry room is that it’s relatively easy and shouldn’t take too long. You can use that feeling of accomplishment to motivate yourself to tackle other organizing projects.

Entryway Spaces

Whether you enter your home through the front door or a side mudroom, these high-traffic spots tend to become cluttered and messy, especially for families with children. “If it’s a family with kids who are always on the go, I suggest focusing on the entryway they use the most, like a back door or mudroom, so that when they are coming and going, there is a space to keep all the things they need when they are outside of the home,” says Angela O’Brien, professional organizer and founder of Your Space Reclaimed.

She advises re-evaluating your storage situation in these areas. “Are there hooks at eye level for the kids to hang backpacks?” she says. “Is there a designated spot for easily misplaced but essential items, like wallets and keys, by the door? This can help set the family up for easier transitions when they’re rushing to soccer or ballet.”

Consider purchasing an entryway bench with built-in storage, hooks, and cubbies so there’s always a designated spot for everything. This will help you stay organized for the long term. 

Bedrooms

Silvia de Denaro Vieira, CEO, and co-founder of the home management app Coexist, says that a disorganized bedroom can affect your sleep, which impacts so many other areas of your life. “Look around your bedroom and see how you might be able to make it a peaceful haven for a restful night’s sleep,” she says.

Start by decluttering obvious messes like that pile of clothing on the floor. Then, sort through stacks of books and try to get rid of anything that isn’t decorative or essential on dressers and nightstands. Once you’ve taken care of all the clutter that’s out and visible, you can move on to tackling the closet, since that will help you get ready more easily every day.