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Organizing Tips Accumulated over 25 Years from REAL SIMPLE Magazine

Organization Research Findings: Steadfast Tips Gleaned Over Two Decades

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Organizing Tips Accumulated over 25 Years from REAL SIMPLE Magazine

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Let's dive into the art of organization, shall we? A tidy, clutter-free home is the key to a hassle-free life. With a tumultuous living space, focusing on anything else feels like an uphill battle. Here's how to make your house look and feel spick-and-span.

Tie Your Sheets Together with a Bow

Got some extra gift ribbons lying around? Use them to bind your bedsheets, preventing those darned misplaced pieces. Write the size on the ribbon or store the set inside a pillowcase - problem solved!

Supercharge Your Fridge

Your refrigerator isn't just about bins. Take it up a notch by adding in more bins to corral tiny items like yogurts and string cheese, keeping them organized and making them easy to find.

Establish a "Deal-With-It" System

Organizational Tips Gleaned from 25 Years of REAL SIMPLE Magazine

To avoid a mess during cleanup, keep a large basket within arm's reach. Toss items that belong in another room into the basket, and deal with them later.

Take on Big Tasks Step-by-Step

Instead of tackling a daunting job like organizing the pantry all at once, break it down into smaller tasks. For example, "Toss expired food," "Clean sticky bottles," or "Group like with like."

Streamline Your Bathroom Storage

Got a medicine cabinet filled with lost treasures like bobby pins and tweezers? Mount a magnetic knife strip on the back of the door to keep small items securely in place.

Prioritize Accessibility in the Junk Drawer

Practical Organization Tips From a 25-Year Journey of REAL SIMPLE Magazine

Keep your most-used items toward the front of the junk drawer. Relegate less frequently used items to the back.

Use a "Forget-Me-Not" Basket

Keep a basket by the front door to hold essential items that you often misplace, like keys and school papers. With the basket right there, you'll never forget them again. Reminders on a chalkboard can help too.

Start a Grocery Inventory

Keep a running list of items you already have in abundance, like canned chickpeas. This way, you can avoid unnecessary purchases and keep your pantry in check.

Hang Tension Rods for Baking Sheets

Efficient Organizing Tips Gleaned from a Quarter-Century of REAL SIMPLE Publication

Store baking sheets, cutting boards, cooling racks, and muffin tins side-by-side using tension rods in a cabinet. With everything organized, you'll be ready to bake to your heart's content.

Consolidate Cleaning Supplies

Keep cleaning supplies near where they'll be used, rather than cramming them all in a single cabinet. All-purpose cleaner, bleach, and dish soap can be stored in the kitchen, while tile and toilet cleaners can be placed in the bathroom.

Don't Buy Organizers Immediately

Declutter your home first, then assess what you need in terms of organizers. Measure the shelves and drawers in question, and repurpose bins and baskets before shopping for new organizing solutions.

Organizing your home doesn't have to be a wrestling match. Embrace these tips for a well-organized life, and enjoy the peace that comes with a clutter-free space.

Here are some additional techniques to optimize your organizing efforts:

  • Clear Counters: Keep flat surfaces, like tables and countertops, clear to maintain a sense of order.
  • Utilize Vertical Space: Store items off the floor using wall-mounted shelves, hooks, or storage units.
  • Categorize and Store: Arrange items into categories (e.g., cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils) and store them in designated areas.
  • Adopt a "One In, One Out" Policy: Keep clutter at bay by getting rid of an old item every time a new one enters your home.
  • Use Hidden Storage: Make use of under-bed storage, over-door organizers, or hidden compartments in furniture to keep clutter hidden.
  • Schedule Regular Decluttering Sessions: Devote time each week or month to decluttering and maintaining your organized space.
  1. To keep your bedsheets tidy, consider tying them together with a ribbon, a common organizing hack from realsimple.com.
  2. For a more organized kitchen, supercharge your fridge by adding more bins to keep small items like yogurts and string cheese neatly arranged.
  3. To declutter effortlessly, establish a "Deal-With-It" system and keep a large basket within arm's reach to collect items that need to be moved to another room.
  4. To bake more efficiently, hang tension rods for baking sheets, cutting boards, cooling racks, and muffin tins in a cabinet, following the organizing tip from realsimple's list of 25 organizing hacks.
  5. To maintain a well-organized home, don't rush into buying organizers right away. First, declutter your home and measure the shelves and drawers, then repurpose bins and baskets to cut down on unnecessary spending.

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