• About
  • Contact
  • Courses
  • Binder Kits
  • Collaborate
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafts
  • Holidays
  • Courses
  • Binder Kits
  • Media and Press
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Organized-ish

Organized-ish

Progress > Perfection

  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafts
  • Holidays
Lela Burris dining room and entryway command center

How To Organize Your Home In Phases

February 25, 2021 · In: Organize

Learn how to organize your home in phases, even if you don’t have any extra money to buy new containers and furniture right now.

If you are constantly fighting with kitchen cabinet avalanches, stepping on Legos, and are late for work at least one day a week due to the clutter in your closet and bathroom, you probably realized it’s time for a change. But most people don’t just decide to organize their whole home at once and magically have all the funds they need to raid the container aisle. These three phases will help you get started on your journey to home organization without feeling overwhelmed.

organize with recycled boxes

Phase 1: “I don’t have any extra money right now but I can’t stand this mess”

Phase one of getting your home organized is all about decluttering, purging, and experimenting. You shouldn’t really be buying containers just yet anyway, because you don’t know what you need.

Start by doing a good old fashioned decluttering session. Trash anything that’s broken, damaged, expired, or obvious garbage. Sell or donate anything you no longer want or need. And relocate any items that don’t belong where they are currently hanging out. Just downsizing your belongings will instantly make your spaces feel less cluttered, even if they still are a hot mess. If you need help, my Home Decluttering Planner inside the Organized-ish Binder Kit Collection can assist with making an action plan and staying on track.

Once you’ve purged as much as you possibly can, shop your house for random containers, baskets, bins, Tupperware, shoe boxes, and even recycled Amazon boxes. Use those “found” containers to temporarily organize your spaces. By using temporary storage, you’ll get a better idea for what kind of containers you should buy later, what sizes you need, and what you like and don’t like. You’ll also get to experiment with different layouts and systems before shelling out real money.

linen closet labels from Cricut Joy

Phase 2: “I’m ready to crack down and categorize everything into separate matching containers”

So you’ve figured out your systems, container types, layouts, and methods, and you’ve saved up some spare moolah to hit the store. Before you break out your credit card, make sure you’ve noted all the measurements of the spaces you’re shopping for and the containers you need in the Notes app on your phone. You may think you’ll remember, but it’s better to have it just in case.

Order all the containers you need, and don’t forget your choice of labels, too. As you organize your new bins, be extra mindful about how you’re sorting and categorizing. Make sure your sorting methods not only make sense to you, but they also make sense to your spouse and other family members in the house. Remember that others can’t see inside your brain and may not understand your organizing systems like you do.

Related Blog Post: The Worst Containers For Organizing And Why They Don’t Work

organized pantry by Lela Burris

Phase 3: “Some of my methods aren’t working so it’s time to switch it up”

The third phase is the editing phase. You’ve already set up your systems, snapped a photo to humble-brag on Insta, and have been living with your newly organized spaces for a few months now. You may have noticed some of the methods aren’t working as well as you expected them to. Some containers are too small. Some are too big. Some fall off the shelf. Some labels are too hard to read. And some aren’t even being used and clutter is still piling up.

Time to evaluate the hard truth that you may need to rethink your layouts and organization systems. But don’t feel bad, because this is totally normal. I’m a professional organizer and this exact thing happens with every single client I’ve ever had. Even a pro needs to make edits; it’s just part of it.

Switch up containers, try new methods, ask family for input, and be ok with a full restart. Remember that getting organized is a journey that never really ends, and progress beats perfection every time. That’s why I encourage you to be Organized-ISH.

Related Blog Post: 8 Organizing Mistakes You’re Making (And How To Fix Them)

By: Lela Burris · In: Organize · Tagged: containers, declutter, home organization, mistake, spouse

you’ll also love

20 Things I Don’t Buy Anymore To Save Time, Money, & Waste
kitchen cup cabinet organizationIs Your Spouse Sabotaging Your Organization Efforts?
linen closet in laundry room organization12 Ways To Get Organized In The New Year 2023

Get Blog Posts In Your Inbox

Every Saturday morning I send out a weekly recap of all the new blog posts. Want in?

Reader Interactions

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

5 Tips For Storing HTV/Iron On Materials

Primary Sidebar

Meet Lela Burris

Meet Lela Burris
hey-o!

My name is Lela, (say it like LEE-luh) and I'm so glad you stopped by my blog! Whether you're into organizing, home improvement, crafts, or you just think my pets are cute, you'll find all kinds of inspo here.

Tell Me More!

Connect

Get VIP Emails

Search

Shop My Planners

printable planners for home organization

Organize Your Craft Room

lela burris organiziedish

Hang With Me

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Follow Along

@lelaburris

Take a little tour of where I work every day and h Take a little tour of where I work every day and how I organized the whole space. The only thing it’s missing is a big tub of snacks. 😂 What’s your go-to snack when you’re working? Mine is the chocolate chip cookie dough Larabars. 🤤
🛒 Sources for the organizers and furnishings are in my LTK. 🖤
#homeofficeideas #homeofficegoals #deskorganization #organizingideas
5 Things You Never Knew About Me: 1. When Nigel a 5 Things You Never Knew About Me:
1. When Nigel and I started dating, I had a pet tarantula and a ball python, and both were in my small apartment bedroom next to my bed.
2. I started my blog in 2014 under the name In The New House. It didn’t change to Organized-ish until 2018.
3. I didn’t plan on becoming a professional organizer at all. A blog reader reached out and asked for help and people just kept asking after that.
4. I was chosen to share a holiday craft idea with @marthastewart on SiriusXM radio and she sent me a gorgeous wreath as a thank you.
5. I have a large collection of crystals and you can find at least one in almost every room photo I share here and on the blog. It’s like a never ending Easter Egg hunt. 😁
✨Now tell me a random fact about yourself! 😍
Bench is made for an entryway, trays are made for Bench is made for an entryway, trays are made for a kitchen, expandable divider is for a closet, and the wall storage is for garages…when you break the “rules” of organizing it becomes easier (and cheaper) to get your home Organized-ish. 🙌🏼
#organization #organizingtips #organizingideas #homegymsetup #drawerorganization
Who wore it best? Closet, laundry room, or bedroom Who wore it best? Closet, laundry room, or bedroom?
Same cabinet systems, different rooms. 😍 They’re all from @modularclosets and my ongoing code LELA gets you 10% off. 🙌🏼
#modularclosets #closetorganization #closetgoals #laundryroomgoals #storageideas

Footer

Browse By Category

  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafts
  • Holidays

Get Organized-ish

  • Courses
  • Printable Planners
  • Shop My House
  • Amazon Faves

Blog Info

  • Contact
  • Media and Press
  • Disclosures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Organized-ish LLC © 2023 · Theme by 17th Avenue