Written by Jackie Waters
Website: Hyper-tidy.com
Email: j_waters@hyper-tidy.com

The largest rooms and spaces in your home are usually the focus of cleaning and tidying, as they are the ones that others see. However, the real clutter often lies in the smallest of spaces. These are the areas where things get shoved and crammed, a door closed to hide the mess, and often remain overlooked and deprioritized when it comes time to clean. Let’s address some of these spaces and learn how to declutter and organize them.

Junk Drawers

Everyone has a junk drawer in their house, though where it’s located may vary. It could be a drawer in the kitchen or one in the office. Wherever it is, it is the catch-all for miscellaneous items (aka junk) and can easily become overflowing with clutter. The first step is to dump it all out and assess what’s in there. Determine which items you would like to keep in the drawer, usually things that you need to have handy or use frequently. Next, rehome the items that have been haphazardly placed there out of laziness or convenience. Lastly, reorganize the drawer. Having baskets, dividers, or storage trays are helpful to keep everything visible and organized, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money buying new organizers. HGTV suggests creatively using household items like ice cube trays or sock organizers to keep your junk drawer tidy.

Bedroom Closets

Your bedroom closet is another common space where clutter often gathers. It is the home for all your clothing, shoes, accessories, and anything else that you can’t find another space for. A good first step is to sort through and get rid of some clothing. After you have decreased the number of items that belong in your closet, you can focus on organizing what is left. If your closet is small, you may want to consider storing your off-season items in a bin under your bed to free up some space. With creative solutions, you can also hang a rod extender to add additional hanging space or utilize the closet door to hang storage organizers. In a few steps, you can have an organized, decluttered closet and be able to find things quickly and easily.

Linen Closet

There is a different type of closet that is often overstuffed and overlooked: your linen closet. Full of sheets, blankets, towels, and pillows, this space can easily become a cluttered mess. The first step is to pare down your possessions. Over the years, it’s easy to collect too many blankets or hold on to every single towel. Decide how many of each item you really need and get rid of the rest. Next, you need to organize the space. One of the keys to an organized linen closet is to fold everything neatly and compactly. You can utilize baskets and storage bags to help keep like items together. Martha Stewart even suggests storing matching sheet sets in their corresponding pillowcase to ensure they are easy to keep together. The goal is a tidy space that allows you to see and quickly find whatever you are looking for.

Defeat clutter by taking the time to sort through your belongings, getting rid of the things that you no longer need, and finding the right organization system for your space. When you do this thoroughly the first time, you will have an easier time upkeeping these areas, allowing you to live in a less stressful environment. Remember, don’t forget the small spaces when it comes time to clean. People may not see them as often, but they can easily get out of control.

Photo Credit: Unsplash