As a mom, keeping the house organized can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing work, kids, and daily chores. Things can get messy fast, but having a more organized home can help reduce stress and make life run more smoothly. You don’t need a big budget or fancy storage solutions to keep things in order. With a few simple tips, you can organize your home and create a more peaceful space for everyone.
Here are some easy and practical home organization hacks every mom should try:
1. Use Baskets and Containers for Quick Cleanups
Baskets and containers are perfect for organizing different parts of the house. They can help keep toys, shoes, books, and other everyday items in one place. Put them in places like the living room, bedroom, and even the hallway. When things are scattered, you can quickly put them in the baskets without much effort. It also makes tidying up faster when guests come over unexpectedly.
2. Set Up a Family Station
Create a small corner or wall in your home where you can organize important things like schedules, keys, and bags. You can hang a calendar to track school events, meetings, and family outings. Use hooks to hang school bags, jackets, and keys to avoid the rush of looking for things when you’re running late.
3. Declutter Regularly
Things pile up quickly, especially when you have children. Clothes, toys, and random items can fill up the house before you even realize it. Make it a habit to declutter your home every few months. Go through items like old clothes, unused toys, and broken appliances, and get rid of them. You can also donate things you don’t use anymore. Decluttering creates more space and reduces the feeling of messiness.
4. Make Use of Wall Space
When space is limited, think of ways to use your walls for storage. You can add shelves in the kitchen to store plates and pots or put hooks in the kids’ rooms for hanging school bags or towels. This helps free up space on the floor and keeps things neatly organized without taking up too much room.
5. Organize by Activity Zones
It’s helpful to organize your home into zones based on activities. For example, create a homework area for the kids with all their school supplies in one place, or a designated spot for toys so that playtime is contained. You can also set up a small area where shoes, bags, and keys can be stored, making it easier to grab what you need when heading out.
6. Maximize Your Kitchen Storage
The kitchen is one area that easily gets messy, but with some organization, it can be much easier to manage. Use jars or containers to store food items like rice, beans, and spices. It not only keeps things tidy but also helps you see what’s running low. You can also use small baskets to group similar items together.
7. Organize Your Closet with Simple Hacks
Closets are often a source of clutter, but simple tricks can help keep them neat. Use hangers to keep clothes organized and easy to find. Sort your clothes by type—tops in one section, dresses in another, and trousers in a different space. You can also store out-of-season clothes in a suitcase or a large box to make more room for items you wear regularly.
Tip: Invest in space-saving hangers or hooks to maximize your closet space. Also, folding clothes vertically in drawers helps you see everything at a glance and prevents messiness.
8. Set Up a Weekly Cleanup Routine
Instead of waiting until the weekend to do a big cleanup, try creating a weekly routine where you spend a little time each day tidying up. This could be as simple as cleaning the living room one day, organizing the kids’ rooms another day, and wiping down surfaces on another day. Breaking up tasks throughout the week prevents things from piling up and makes cleaning less overwhelming. See also Finding Balance in Daily House Chores
Tip: Involve the whole family. Assign small tasks to the kids based on their age, like sweeping, dusting, or folding clothes. This teaches responsibility and makes the workload lighter for everyone.
9. Label Everything
It may sound simple, but labeling can be a game-changer. Label your containers, shelves, and drawers so everyone in the house knows where things belong. This helps cut down on the frustration of searching for things and makes it easier for everyone to return items to their proper place.
Tip: For kitchen spices or pantry goods, use simple masking tape and a marker to label jars or plastic containers. It’s quick, inexpensive, and makes meal prep easier.
10. Make Cleaning Fun for Kids
Instead of trying to do everything yourself, get the kids involved in cleaning. Assign them small, age-appropriate tasks like picking up toys, making their beds, sweeping, dusting, or folding clothes. This teaches responsibility and makes the workload lighter for everyone. Turn it into a game by setting a timer or offering small rewards for completing tasks.