Ever feel like your home is one laundry pile away from complete chaos? I’ve been there.
Come on in, grab a cuppa coffee and let’s talk about the C word… “Contagious Clutter”. I guess it kind of goes with what’s happening today, we are afraid to touch it.
Some days, it feels like no matter how much I tidy up, there’s always something out of place. But here’s the thing—organization doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, it can be easy (dare I say… fun?) when you find simple systems that work for you.
So, if you’re looking for quick wins that make a big impact, here are my 10 super easy organizing tips that take just minutes a day but will leave your home feeling fresh, calm, and—dare I say—actually organized!
10 Minute Rule
When you go into a room:
- Just do something for 10 minutes.
- Clear the Clutter
- Give the Room a Mini-Organizing Fluff
Funny thing is it doesn’t sound like a lot of time but just do that lets say every time you think about it. HABITS! HABITS!
1. The 10- Minute Rule: Your Secret Weapon
If it takes less than 10 minutes to do, just do it now. That’s it. That’s the rule.
I used to let small tasks pile up—like putting shoes away, tossing junk mail, or wiping down the kitchen counter—thinking I’d “get to them later.” The problem? Later never came. And suddenly, my house looked like a tornado had passed through.
Now, I live by the 10-Minute Rule, and it has changed everything. Those little tasks don’t have time to pile up anymore, and my home stays effortlessly tidy. Try it. Next time you’re about to walk past that stack of mail or leave a dish in the sink, ask yourself: Will this take less than 10 minutes? If the answer is yes, do it now!
2. The “Drop Zone” for Clutter Hotspots
Create Zones: Designate specific areas for specific activities or items. For example, have a dedicated mail station, a reading nook, or a home office area. This helps in keeping everything organized and reduces clutter.
Every home has that one spot where things just magically pile up. (For me, it’s the entryway table. Keys, mail, sunglasses, a random sock… how does a sock even get there?!)
Instead of fighting it, embrace it— but make it organized.
~ Set up a small basket or tray where daily essentials like keys, wallets, and sunglasses go.
~ Have a mail bin —one for incoming, one for outgoing.
~ Create a mini “catch-all” space for those random odds and ends that seem to appear out of nowhere.
A designated drop zone keeps clutter from spreading all over the house while making it easy to find things when you need them.
3. The One-Touch Rule: Stop Moving Things Twice
Let’s be honest—how many times do we pick something up, only to set it down somewhere else instead of putting it away? (I used to do this all the time with laundry… I’d fold it, leave it on the bed, move it to a chair, and then—surprise!—it would still be there days later.)
Enter the One-Touch Rule: Handle it once and put it away immediately.
- If you pick up a dirty dish, put it straight in the dishwasher, not the counter.
- If you take off your coat, hang it in the closet—not the chair.
- If you bring in groceries, put them away right away—don’t leave bags sitting on the floor.
This one tiny shift in habit keeps things from piling up and saves you so much time in the long run!
4. The 10-Minute Tidy: A Game-Changer
Some days, my house feels like it’s spiraling out of control, and I don’t have the energy for a deep clean. But you know what I *can* do? Set a timer for 10 minutes and do a speed clean.
- Put away anything that’s out of place.
- Wipe down surfaces.
- Straighten up pillows and blankets.
- Toss trash and take out recycling.
A quick 10-minute tidy-up before bed or before guests come over makes such a huge difference—and you’ll be amazed at how much you can get done in such a short time. Bonus: It makes the next day start so much smoother!
Utilize Vertical Space: Maximize your space by using vertical storage options. Install shelves, hooks, and racks on walls to store items and keep surfaces clear and
5. Declutter As You Go (Avoid Overwhelming Purges!)
I used to think I had to set aside a whole weekend to declutter. But let’s be real—who has time for that? Instead, I declutter as I go.
- Bathroom drawer jam-packed? Toss the expired products while you’re brushing your teeth.
- T-shirt drawer overflowing? Pull out the ones you never wear while grabbing an outfit.
- Sorting mail? Recycle junk mail immediately instead of letting it pile up.
By tackling little decluttering moments daily, I avoid those massive, stressful “decluttering marathons.” It’s so much easier to maintain a clutter-free home when you’re always doing a little bit at a time.
If you are not really sure you can do this, I have “faith in you” but in case you need just a little more of a “push”, I put together a amazingly easy and quick checklist for you to follow.
I am just like everyone else I struggle to come up with creative and easy tricks annd incentive to keep ahead of the clutter. That is one of the reasons I decided to figure this out, come up with solutions, and hopefully make it fun. If that’s at all possible when it comes to organizing and keeping a tidy house. I hear you. I discovered that after much “trial and error, this plan really worked.
Try it and see if it works for you. I would love to hear how it worked and how it did not work for you. People love to know. “Sharing is Caring”
So if you have been looking around the house and it has been making me nervous you now have the “POWER” and the tools to change that.
You Got This” it won’t be hard to make a conscious effort..
SIMPLE TIP:
Every time you get up to get a cup of Coffee, Eat Lunch or go to the bathroom or whatever room you are in or going into USE THE RULE.
Once you do it a couple times it becomes an unconscious habit.
“You won’t believe how easy this is. Try it and you will be already on your way to being Clutter Free and Organized.
I always love to hear how it worked and how it did not work for you.
People love to know. “Sharing is Caring”
I put together a quick little list that I’d like to share with you. You can click on the image and print it if you would like.
Make it fun! As you’re going about and cleaning things out, put on some of your favorite tunes. The more upbeat, the better!
Not only will you enjoy the tunes, the time will pass faster and you’ll probably work faster than you would without it….
Let’s Make Working “FUN”
Get the “Heart Pumping” and you will be amazed at how quickly time passes and chores are done.
My Cleaning Playlist
Well, here’s to your QUICK and EASY TIPS for HOME ORGANIZING.. Cheers!
Now that you have these five simple organizing tips in your arsenal, it’s time to transform your home into a clutter-free oasis. Remember, organizing is a journey, not a destination. Take it one step at a time, celebrating each small victory along the way. Whether you tackle one room at a time or dedicate a weekend to decluttering your entire home, know that you have the power to create a space that brings you joy and serenity.
So, go ahead, put on some music, grab your organizing supplies, and start turning your home into a haven of order and tranquility. You’ve got this
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Such a good idea to have bins for items to donate. It makes it so much easier to just throw something in there when you realize you don’t need it.
Kari, yes and they are an inexpensive fix.