Three spaces to organize when you're not sure where to start

Alright - raise your hand if you binged "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" or "Get Organized with The Home Edit." Keep it raised if, after finishing, you immediately wanted to declutter and organize your entire house but didn't know where to start. I'm guessing the majority of you reading this have your hands in the air.

And that's totally fair! It's easy to be bursting with ambition after watching a home improvement TV show. With that said, people like Marie Kondo or Clea and Joanna are experts, and if you're just starting out, you might get overwhelmed tackling a large space like a walk-in closet or playroom. Fear not - The Organized Aesthetic is here to help!

If you want to transform your space but you're not sure which area to go after first, remember these two words: start small. Pick an achievable project, and be sure to follow the five-step organizing process:

1. Set goals
2. Purge
3. Categorize
4. Organize
5. Maintain!

Three spots I'd recommend starting with are:

A drawer

Pick a drawer, any drawer! Organizing a drawer will not only make it look nice, but it'll also save you time in the long run. When you open an organized drawer, everything has its place, meaning your hand will know exactly where to go to grab the desired item.

Are all your pens, pencils, and highlighters mixed together? Try some acrylic drawer organizers. Can't find the kitchen utensil you need? I love a bamboo divider. Maybe you have to dig around for a pair of socks in your undergarment drawer. Not with these fabric bins! There are plenty of products out there to help you create a functional drawer, and if you need my advice, never hesitate to reach out!

A cupboard

For those looking for a bit more of a challenge than the drawer, there's the cupboard. Now, the only reason I say this is because shelves, dividers, and pipes can sometimes come into play when working in cupboards. Be diligent about measuring, though, and you'll be just fine!

Whether you're organizing the cupboard beneath the bathroom sink or your kitchen's spice cupboard, my biggest piece of advice is this: DO NOT FORGET ABOUT YOUR DOOR! Folks have created both over-the-door and mountable solutions so that you can maximize your space. Take advantage of them!

A bookshelf

Do both the drawer and cupboard still sound like a bit too much to start with? Let me introduce you to the bookshelf. No measuring needed, no product necessary. If you're familiar with ROYGBIV, you're ready!

To achieve a rainbow bookshelf, don't think about it too much. It's okay to intermix light greens and dark greens or to put the indigo book before the royal blue one. Variations in color tone are fun and add dimension! Do what feels right for you, and voila, you've got an organized bookshelf.

Organizing your entire home is no easy task. My dad used to tell me growing up, "the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time." While a somewhat disturbing thought (save the elephants!), the meaning of it holds true. Completing organizing projects one by one will help you gain more familiarity with and confidence in the process, and next thing you know every space in your home will be tidy AND functional!

Follow me on Instagram for more tips and tricks, and be sure to reach out with questions as you embark on your own organizing journey.

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