Staying Organized

Simple Organization Tips…

I’m a firm believer that organization is the key to my sanity.

I thrive when I can work and homeschool in a clean, organized space, and my kids do too!

While my kiddos don’t always notice the benefits of a tidy space, they definitely experience the frustrations that arise when something isn’t in the proper place.

Like shoes for example.

The struggle with this one is real, you guys!

If you’re always on the lookout for new organizing ideas and tips, rest assured that you’re not alone!

Even I constantly change up our organizational systems because kids grow, things change, and organization styles need updating from time to time.

With that said, there are always 4 practical organizational methods I lean on no matter the occasion.

4 Practical Ways to Stay Organized

Keeping my house tidy feels like a full-time job sometimes, you guys!

Between catching up on laundry, getting the daily dishes washed, and pestering my children to pick up after themselves – it just doesn’t seem to end.

I wish I could tell you that there was a fix-all, but unfortunately, that will never be reality.

There are, however, some things that make this daunting task of organization just a little easier to manage!

Organization makes me happy, plain and simple — and these are some of the awesome tools I use to get there!

Use Tools to Stay Organized

From simple storage totes an decorative wicker baskets to rolling carts and caddies — true home organization just wouldn’t be possible without the use of baskets, bags, and bins!

The main reason I lean on baskets & bins for staying organized?

Not only can you easily tuck things away to cut the surface clutter down, but many options can be decorative and pleasing to the eye.

While it doesn’t ring true for every organizational tool I use, some of my absolute favorites double as a cute decoration for our home!

Check out some of my top picks below.

Must-Have for Office Organization

When it comes to organizing homeschool items, office supplies, or crafting tools on a surface, simple wooden caddies will do the trick!

We utilize a number of these types of caddies in our home and they keep all of our items at arm’s reach while containing them in a tidy package.

Aside from caddies, we also lean on rolling carts for homeschool and office organization.

These rolling carts are seriously amazing, you guys!

I use them for a simplistic mixture of homeschooling in the home organizational look.

The best part? You can tuck these bad boys out of sight and only roll them out when they are needed.

Other awesome homeschool and office organization tools I lean on are our wall organizer for managing multiple tasks and our file folder box for simple paper storage.

This wooden file box was a huge game-changer for our family.

We utilize 2 of these in our home — 1 for organizing office paperwork and 1 for curriculum organization. 

That is just one of the simple ways I organize our homeschool.

Must-Haves for Everyday Organization

Homeschool and office supplies aside, I have a few other items I lean on when it comes to keeping toys and everyday clutter at bay.

One of the most simple items I lean on for home organization has to be utility totes.

These awesome totes can be multi-use — making them perfect for everything from toy storage to grocery shopping.

Seriously though!

With that said, I have always been a sucker for a good-looking storage basket.

I love keeping a selection of decorative baskets and bins in our home.

They seriously bring me so much joy, you guys!

From traditional wicker baskets that I use for tucking away extra books & toys in our living room to simple metal baskets that give my linen closet a more polished look.

I seriously use baskets in every area of my home.

While baskets are my go-to for smaller items, utilizing large baskets or storage ottomans can sometimes be a better option for tucking away large or awkward-shaped items such as blankets or oversized toys.

I love leaning on larger round metal baskets for stuffed animal storage in kids’ bedrooms & toilet paper storage in the linen closet because they are simple and get the job done!

However, I prefer a more decorative large wicker basket to hold extra blankets in our living room instead — it is so pretty, you guys!

Another awesome addition to any living space is an amazing storage ottoman.

These are so great for tucking away larger items, blankets, or toys with multiple parts such as building blocks or games.

I have one of these and it’s a multi-purpose item in our home.

We use it as a coffee table, a footrest, and for keeping toy clutter out of sight.

Make Lists to Stay Organized

I can’t stress this one enough.

While baskets, bins, totes, and ottomans are awesome for keeping excess clutter at bay, they simply aren’t the only tools you need in your box.

List-making is and always will be the key to my success when it comes to staying organized and productive on a daily basis.

I could seriously make a list for anything and I’m not kidding you, it changes everything.

Chore charts, handwritten lists, priority-based to-do lists, reminders on your phone or tablet — whatever your style, just sit down and make a list!

Personally, I prefer to do a mixture of all the above.

We have a wall-mounted chore chart in our home that we utilize daily, but I also like to write out a detailed paper to-do list and email myself little reminders from time to time.

It’s easier to stay on top of things when there is a visual aid reminding you of everything you need to accomplish for the day.

With that said, I’m a list lover, so this one came naturally to me.

So, if you’re an anti-list person, it may take some time to find the list-making method that works for you.

Just take your time and figure out what keeps you motivated and moving forward.

Lists motivate. Lists work!

If you’re not sure how to get started on this wonderful journey of getting and staying organized, you can easily begin the process of tackling all the things by planning a simple catch-up day!

Not only will this help you in your list-making skills, but it will also help you learn how to let go, regroup, and start again.

I seriously plan these for myself multiple times a year and they are so essential, you guys!

Involve Everyone in Tidying Up

Want to know the true secret to keeping a clean and tidy home? This. Is. It.

Seriously though. 

If everyone in your home is on the same page when it comes to putting things where they go, your home will not only get organized quicker — but it will actually stay that way. 

I know some people find this notion completely crazy and to each their own. I, however, think it’s super important for kids to work.

If we constantly do everything for our children while they are young, they will expect the world to do everything for them when they are adults and that is not reality, you guys!

Putting our children to work is essentially building them up to be responsible grown-ups — which is a good thing!

That said, keeping a clean house while homeschooling 3 kids is some tough stuff, you guys!

However, it isn’t impossible stuff.

I truly believe kids should be involved in everything in the home, including the clean-up and there is absolutely nothing wrong with intertwining chores & school together in one happy package.

Easier said than done, I know.

All kids are different and some will adapt to this concept much easier than others!

Take my kids for example.

I have a 13-year-old who lacks the motivation to do anything that doesn’t include music or Lego. He needs constant reminders to do his schoolwork and his chores.

Everything is a battle.

Then, I have a 10-year-old who works harder than most grown men.

No joke!

This kid does extra schoolwork and rarely ever gets behind on chores.

Last comes my lively 5-year-old. She’s a wonderful mixture of accidental spills & trying to help, which in reality only creates more of a mess.

All that said, even though my children require different tactics when it comes to helping out around the house, it’s incredibly important that I put in the work by taking the time to teach them.

This simply helps keep the clutter down and makes household management easier for this homeschool mom!

Stay Organized by Being Consistent

I would love to say that homeschooling makes it easier for all kids to stay on top of their chores, but that isn’t always the case.

Some kids, like my oldest, will need constant reminders. Others will pick it up quickly and easily.

Either way, it’s a learning process for the entire family, but it’s essential!

Kids need to learn how to function as adults and giving them responsibilities around the house is the best place to start!

Teach your children to put things away throughout their day by forming habits.

Once an item is no longer in use, put it back in its place. Reminding yourself and your kiddos throughout the day if needed.

Simply do this over and over again until it becomes second nature.

Being consistent in your home organization plan, with your chore charts, and other important home responsibilities is the key to staying organized.

With that said, life isn’t perfect.

We will have busy days, sick days, and off days.

The laundry will get backed up, things will get spilled, messes will be made, and the unexpected will happen.

However, if we work as a team and all do our part – it doesn’t have to be completely overwhelming all the time.

The key here is to be consistent most of the time.

Then, simply be kind to yourself when things pile up.

Why It’s Important to Stay Organized

Organization and a clean working environment are essential when it comes to most areas of life.

If I didn’t constantly purge and declutter our home, I simply wouldn’t be able to function, you guys!

From keeping our homeschool supplies organized to minimizing our DVD storage. I am constantly working towards a cleaner, more organized life.

Staying organized not only means you can find what you’re looking for, most of the time, but it also means you are teaching your children to take pride in their living space by being responsible.

Both of which are so important!

Take some time to make your plans and get your family involved in the organization process.

Living in an organized space brings me joy and I hope it can bring that same joy to you!

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Happy organizing, you guys!!