The Home Edit summary

Even if you understand the benefits you’ll gain from creating a functional home, the task might feel overwhelming and about as exciting as going to the dentist.

So, how do you go about achieving this feat in a fun and sustainable way?

Organizing is a fun and creative process. This is a chance to give form and function to your home, in a way that suits you.

Start by placing your grouped items – like all that oatmeal in your pantry – into their organizers. Make sure there’s a bit of room left in each organizer, to accommodate anything new you buy. Once your organizers are ready, place them inside your drawer, pantry, fridge, or whatever spaces you’re organizing, leaving a gap between each of them. Then step back and admire your handiwork. You’ll immediately feel a sense of achievement.

The joy of organizing your home can quickly turn into disappointment, as you watch your good work descend into chaos. How do you stop yourself and your family or housemates from going back to square one, after your initial investment in time and effort?

The first thing you need to keep your organizational system working for the long term is commitment. Keep an eye on your home and correct issues as they come up. You already have a solid foundation. Build on it.

Once you’ve established a solid foundation for organizing your home, you can branch out and incorporate some bonus techniques to elevate your environment further.

For instance, coordinate hats at the entryway to give it character and make you and your guests feel welcome. Do the same with towels in your bathroom, to add some color.

To organize your home, start with the easiest space you can handle and build up till you’re confident enough to tackle more complex projects. When you declutter, take everything out of that space, group similar items together, and discard those you don’t need.

Grouped items should go into one labeled organizer. This is a sure way to help your partner, kids, or guests find what they need. Buy matching organizers to add some class. To spice it up, organize your items according to the colors of the rainbow. Colors are intuitive and offer a fun learning opportunity for younger members of the family.