How to Organize Your Apartment in 5 Easy Steps
We've all been there. Organization is not always a top priority when you're drowning in other tasks. It's easy to fall behind and get comfortable with chaos. But if you're ready to step things up and get organized, here are five steps to take (and they'll help you stay organized too!):
1. De-clutter
The very first step you should take to seriously organize your apartment is to get rid of some things. The more junk you have, the harder it is to stay organized. Go room by room and decide what absolutely needs to stay, and what's just taking up space. Make a bag for donation and a bag for garbage and lighten your load. You'll find yourself with so much more space to work with-and less stuff to organize. Try putting some items into storage with UrBin Storage. They'll come to you and store all your items in a safe place until you're ready for them again. That way, you won't have to say goodbye forever. And they'll bring them back to you too!
2. Get Thrifty
The dollar store is your friend. They have everything you need to organize your apartment, and it's affordable too. Stock up on baskets, tension rods, command hooks, and racks. These are the tools of the trade. Buy baskets in all sizes. You can use small ones to organize bathroom and kitchen drawers, and medium and large ones to organize your closets. Tension rods can be used for a plethora of things: hanging cleaning products, providing extra hanging storage in closets, and even as separators in your cabinets. Command hooks are just as handy. Use them on the inside of cabinets, the side of your fridge, or in your bathroom. Racks will help you organize particularly your kitchen and bathroom. Here are some links for inspiration on how to use your new tools:
30 Wonderful Ways to Organize your Life with Command Hooks
Perfect Use for that Cupboard Above your Fridge
Dollar Store Bathroom Drawer Organization
3. Invest in a Label Maker
Ah, the satisfaction that a label maker brings is like no other. Not only are labels pleasant to look at and extremely functional, they're a huge help if you live in a multi-person home. They are constant little reminders to keep putting things in the right place, so you can stay organized no matter how chaotic your life is, and no matter how terrible the people you live with are at staying organized. They also make finding things significantly easier. Rather than searching around your cluttered home for items when you're in a hurry, you'll have everything clearly marked and easy to reach. Label drawers in your medicine cabinet, items in your pantry, the baskets in your linen closet-label everything. You won't be disappointed.
4. Make the Most of Your Space
This one is a biggie. Most of us do not make the most of our space. Even if you live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, you probably have more space than you realize. Use wall shelves to create vertical storage, utilize the backs of doors and cabinets, and squeeze small racks or sets of drawers into unexpected places. Give yourself the room to stay organized. Here are a few links that will help you make the most of your space:
Cleaning Tips - DIY Cleaning Closet
29 Sneaky Tips for Small Space Living
5. Get Smart
Items that work together stay together. Make sure when you're organizing that you put items that you typically use together with each other, and put them close to where you use them. This way, you won't leave items lying out when you're finished with them because their storage place is out of reach, or in an inconvenient place.
We hope these tips help! Now go get organized!