As we begin a new year, there’s no better time to start fresh and create a home and workspace that brings you peace, productivity, and clarity. Whether it’s your home office, kitchen, or entire home, home organizing can make a huge difference in how you live and work. Trust me, as Professional Organizers we hear this all-the-time! And the key to successful organizing habits is building simple, sustainable habits that keep you on track throughout the year.
At Decluttered Dallas-Ft Worth and Decluttered New England LLC, we specialize in helping you create organized, clutter-free spaces that align with your lifestyle. To help you kickstart 2025 with a clean slate, I’ve put together 5 organizing habits that will transform your home and workspace—one step at a time.
1. Organizing Habits - Create a “Home” for Everything
One of the most effective organizing strategies is making sure everything has a designated place. Whether you’re uncluttering your office or organizing your kitchen, two hot spots known to be a “dumping ground,” knowing where everything belongs makes it easier to keep things tidy and find what you need.
How to do it: Start by focusing on high-traffic areas, like your desk, the entryway and the kitchen counter. Ask yourself, “Where should this go?” For items that don’t have a place yet, create one. This could be something as simple as a home for incoming mail and paper and a home to hang jackets and backpacks. If you are finding items that belong on a different floor of your home, but someone get set down in these places, then maybe created a basket at the bottom of the stairs becomes the home. If you’re unsure, this is a great time to assess what’s worth keeping.
Why it works: When every item has its designated spot, you’re less likely to let clutter build up. It makes tidying up faster and more intuitive. Plus, it helps prevent unnecessary items from accumulating.
Pro Tip: Labeling storage bins, drawers, or shelves helps everyone in the household or office keep things organized. This is a key element of any home organizing strategy!
2. Set a Daily 10-Minute Unclutter Routine
Consistency is the backbone of any professional organizing strategy. One of the easiest ways to maintain an organized home or office is to establish a daily habit to clear the clutter. By setting aside just 10 minutes each day to tidy up, you’ll prevent clutter from taking over.
How to do it: Dedicate 10 minutes at a specific time each day—perhaps in the morning before work or in the evening after dinner. Use this time to clear off surfaces, organize papers, and return misplaced items to their proper homes.
Why it works: A brief, focused decluttering session every day ensures that things never get out of hand. You’ll feel more in control of your space and stay motivated to continue the habit.
Pro Tip: Set a timer for 10 minutes and challenge yourself to clear as much clutter as possible in that time. It’s surprising how much you can accomplish with just a little bit of focus! In my house, we do this as a family so that 10 minute challenge x 5 people can make a huge difference!
3. Clear Out Clutter One Area at a Time
If the thought of organizing your entire home or office feels overwhelming, remember that to clear out clutter is a process. Focus on one area at a time, and you’ll start to see results quickly.
How to do it: Pick one specific area to focus on, like a closet, drawer, or your desk. Sort through everything and ask yourself whether each item is truly necessary. Be ruthless in your decision-making—if it doesn’t serve you, it’s time to let it go.
Why it works: Breaking down larger organizing tasks into smaller, manageable sections helps prevent burnout and allows you to feel accomplished as you complete each part. This approach also makes it easier to tackle spaces that tend to accumulate clutter quickly.
Pro Tip: Set aside just 30 minutes for each session. You’ll be amazed at how much you can clear out in such a short period.
4. Implement a “One In, One Out” Rule
A clutter-free space doesn’t happen by accident. To prevent your home or office from becoming overwhelmed with unnecessary items, consider implementing the “One In, One Out” rule. This is a simple but powerful habit for sustainable home organizing.
How to do it: For every new item you bring into your home or office—whether it’s a new pair of shoes, a book, or office supplies—make sure you get rid of something you no longer need. Donate, recycle, or toss anything that’s no longer serving you.
Why it works: The “One In, One Out” rule keeps clutter from piling up and encourages mindful purchasing decisions. It’s an effective way to maintain an organized home or office without feeling like you’re constantly battling clutter.
Pro Tip: If you are feeling really overwhelmed with clutter or have the need to purge the house, you could increase that rule to be “One In, Two Out” to see faster results. Also, make either rule a part of your home organizing mindset. Before making a purchase, ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" and "Do I have room for this and where would it go?" and be prepared to part with something else in exchange.
5. Schedule Regular Uncluttering Sessions
To stay on top of clearing out clutter and home organizing, it’s essential to set aside time each month for more intensive sessions. While daily habits help maintain order, regular uncluttering sessions ensure your space stays organized in the long run.
How to do it: Block out time on your calendar each month (or every few months) to tackle areas that tend to accumulate clutter, such as closets, storage rooms, or kitchen cabinets. Use this time to reassess what you’re keeping and reorganize as needed.
Why it works: Regular organizing sessions give you the opportunity to revisit areas that may have become cluttered over time. These sessions also help prevent small messes from snowballing into major projects later on.
Pro Tip: Create a checklist to help you stay focused during these sessions. Mark off areas as you complete them, and you’ll feel more motivated to continue. A great start is to refer to this list of 31 Days to get organized!
A clutter-free home and workspace lead to a more organized, peaceful, and productive life. By adopting these five organizing habits, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your space into a haven of order and clarity. Whether you’re starting with small organizing habits or tackling bigger home organizing projects, every step you take will make a noticeable difference.
All our Dallas Professional Organizers and Rhode Island organizing services specialize in helping you clear out clutter and create customized organizing systems. If you’re ready for a fresh start, we’re here to help guide you every step of the way in making 2025 your most organized year yet!
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