9 Easy and Time-Saving Organization Tips

Getting organized now will free up your time to do the things you love later

woman folding clothes to donate
Photo: Dimensions / Getty Images
woman folding clothes to donate
Photo: Dimensions / Getty Images
Lauren Murphy
Written by Lauren Murphy
Contributing Writer
Updated January 25, 2022
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Organization is the key to streamlining your life and saving time while completing your daily tasks. Not only does organizing keep your home looking neat, but it also helps you and your family be more productive throughout the day. Let’s review the nine best time-saving organization tips.

9 tips for organizing, including declutter, make your bed every morning, and label everything

1. Declutter Your Home

Decluttering makes staying organized a whole lot easier because it drastically reduces the number of items you have to deal with regularly. Declutter your home by first making a plan to tackle each room in the house, including closets. Donate the clothes you no longer need or want, and throw away trash. You’ll feel a whole lot lighter once the clutter is gone.

2. Make a To-Do List

Make a to-do list every day, even if you don’t have much to take care of. A list you can check off will help you stay on task and avoid distractions throughout your day. Consider adding small, seemingly insignificant tasks, like making breakfast or taking the dog for a walk, so you can cross them off and feel accomplished throughout the day. The hope is to keep that momentum going and have a productive day so you can relax and spend time with your family in the evening.

You can make your list on your phone or computer to avoid paper clutter or go the classic route and use the old-fashioned method with a pen and piece of paper.

3. Make Your Bed

couple making bed together
Photo: PeopleImages / iStock / Getty

Like making a daily to-do list, making your bed every morning will help you be productive throughout the day. Tidying up your bed in the morning allows you to start your day on a productive note, which will encourage you to keep accomplishing things (like the ones on your to-do list). This simple task may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it’ll only take you a few minutes to complete each morning. Plus, a made bed instantly makes your bedroom look tidier and more organized.

4. Organize Your Linen Closet

A tidy and organized linen closet will save you time when you’re rushing to grab a towel after bath time or changing the sheets in the guest room before visitors arrive. Follow linen closet organizing tips, like:

  • Keep linens nicely folded in bins to separate them by purpose.

  • Fold towels neatly to save space.

  • Add shelves where necessary.

And if you don’t have one in your linen closet already, install a closet organizer to take advantage of every inch of storage space.

5. Create a Monthly Family Calendar

woman filling out family calendar on fridge
Photo: Trinette Reed / Stocksy / Adobe Stock

Soccer practice, piano lessons, school plays, and doctor's appointments can be a lot to keep track of. On top of that, you've got your own activities, like yoga and coffee with friends, plus trips to the vet and groomer for the dog. Keeping track of everything on one central family calendar will ensure everyone knows the daily schedule, which will help things run smoothly so you can avoid the stress of being in a rush.

6. Put Everything in Its Place

Create a place for your belongings, and make a point to put everything back in its place every night before bedtime. That way, you'll wake up to an organized and tidy home so you can start your day fresh without having to clean up in the morning. Make it a family rule to put away items, such as kids' toys, books, and cooking tools, once you're done. Use bookshelves or cubbies for extra storage.

7. Store Dry Goods in Clear Jars

organized canisters with snacks in pantry
Photo: Kristen Prahl / Getty Images

Start emptying your dry bulk items into a clear jar or container as soon as you get home from your weekly grocery trip. This works well for food like rice, dried beans, flour, and even candy. By keeping them in clear jars, you can easily see when you're running low on a particular item. You'll also spend less time rummaging through the pantry to find the ingredient you need when you're in the middle of cooking. 

While you’re at it, consider clever pantry organization ideas, like adding lights and installing a rotating tray, to organize your entire pantry.

8. Label Everything

Don’t stop at storing things in clear containers. Take it a step further and label everything, from food items to office supplies. A label will allow you to easily and quickly spot what you need. 

9. Hire Professionals to Help

If you need help getting organized and feel overwhelmed starting the process, hire a professional organizer near you. You can also hire a professional house cleaner near you to clean your home routinely so you can focus your time and energy on maintaining organization and cleanliness. When hiring a professional local organizer, there are several things to keep in mind, like a budget and project timeline. Professional organizers cost $200 to $750 on average.

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Learn more about our contributor
Lauren Murphy
Written by Lauren Murphy
Contributing Writer
Having a safe, happy and ultimately stunning home is Lauren's top priority. She's covered topics in home improvement for sites like Hunker and Forbes Advisor and can't wait to write more.
Having a safe, happy and ultimately stunning home is Lauren's top priority. She's covered topics in home improvement for sites like Hunker and Forbes Advisor and can't wait to write more.
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