Getting your home organized can be an overwhelming process, but it’s the daily maintenance that can set you back into chaos once more. Rather than falling into an endless cycle of decluttering, sometimes, it’s just about making sure a few key areas are in order.
With this in mind, we talked to two pro organizers to find out their top tips for tackling those critical spaces that will keep the rest of your home looking as put together as possible.
The One Disorganized Thing in Your House Affecting Everything Else
As pro organizer Barabara Brock points out, your entryway is your home’s first impression, which means it should always be as neat and tidy as possible.
“If the front hall is messy, I can guarantee that the rest of the house will be in the same condition,” she says.
Fellow professional organizer Mindy Godding agrees.
“I always start with the entryway as the key to an organized house,” she says. “The space where you enter your house sets the tone for the entire house.”
How to Keep the Entryway Organized
Because this is such a high-traffic part of the home, it can be tricky to keep your entryway super organized. This is especially true because it’s a natural drop point for everything from outerwear to keys, wallets, and glasses.
Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to help keep this area in working order.
Prioritize the Entryway Closet
If you have an entryway closet, Godding says you should take a minute to see how you can most effectively use this space to maximize its potential.
“Most people totally overlook the potential of their entryway closet,” she says. “This small-but-mighty storage spot can make or break how organized you feel when you walk in or out of the house.”
The best way to do this, says Godding, is to optimize all available space. This includes storage on the back of the door, mounted baskets on the walls, and hooks wherever applicable.
“Hang coats by length for optimum visibility underneath, so that you can use baskets, bins, or shoe risers for floor-based storage,” she says.
And be sure you don’t let this space turn into your junk closet by removing things that don’t belong there: unused tote bags, board games, or mismatched cold weather gear.
Have a Drop Tray
Outside of the closet, a tray for your keys, wallet, and glasses is another simple but effective solution.
“It will help keep those items contained and collected, which reduces clutter and prevents them from getting misplaced,” Godding says.
Use Vertical Space
One major issue with a lot of entryways is that the area is tight and hard to organize. If this is your issue, making use of the vertical space is an absolute must.
“Hooks can keep backpacks, jackets, and handbags off the floor and within easy reach when you’re walking out the door,” says Godding.
Make Shoe Storage Accessible
If you have a no shoe policy, this can also contribute to the visual clutter, says Brock. While it might help keep your home cleaner, you should still make an effort to keep things organized upon entering.
“Have a shoe rack or shoe tray which will lessen the impact of clutter,” she says.
Godding agrees, and notes that even a shoe basket can be a help. These are often great for more casual shoes like sandals and flip flops, or even kids’ shoes.
3 Other Disorganized Areas Guests Are Sure to Notice
A Messy Kitchen
It doesn’t matter if every item of food served to your guests is delicious—if the kitchen is a disaster, they’ll notice. But beyond that, Brock says it’s also important to clean up after your guests leave.
“It’s a rule that the kitchen must be clean and items put away before turning off the lights,” she says. “No one wants to get up in the morning and see a sink full of dishes.”
An Unmade Bed
Sure, you could simply close your door—but Brock says even for your own peace of mind, you should make the bed.
“The bed is the largest piece of furniture in the room,” she says. “An unmade bed immediately gives an impression of disorganization and chaos.”
It’s visually calming and makes the whole room look tidy.
Items on the Floor
Messy surfaces are a problem, but Brock says the same goes for cluttered floors. If a room feels messy, do a quick pass through and clear anything from the floor that shouldn’t be there. The results will be instant.
“It takes about fifteen minutes to straighten a room,” she says. “This is not organizing, it’s purely straightening a pillow on a sofa or picking things off the floor.”