When it comes to keeping a home clutter-free and tidy, I am all for it. Mike and I are on the same page with this and have gotten into some good habits and systems since moving into our new home. Basically, if the house is messy it stresses me out and puts me in a bad mood and Mike just gets annoyed when things are out of order. So, what do we do to keep the house tidy? I’m going to lay it all out for you now!
How we keep our home clutter-free:
- This is a biggie. If you live with someone else, you have to set both of your expectations and make some ground rules. If you don’t want anything on your bathroom countertop other than a tissue box and soap dish, let it be known. Then come up with a little system of what you’re going to do with all of the other bathroom stuff. (ie. get some baskets for underneath the sink or the bathroom closet to put your things in. Label them “hair” “his” “hers” “nail polish” or whatever it may be. When things have a place to go it makes a clutter-free life much easier.
- Tidy up before you go to bed. We do this every night. I fluff the pillows on the couch, put the tv remote back on the side table, dog toys go away in the basket. We make sure there aren’t any dishes in the sink and put everything that’s on the counter away in its proper place. The only thing we leave out is dishes if they are still drying, which Mike puts away first thing when he wakes up in the morning. Let me tell you, coming downstairs to a kitchen that doesn’t have a bunch of stuff all over it makes for a much more relaxing morning!
- Purge on a regular basis. Every 2 months or so, I go through the pantry and throw away or donate what we aren’t using. The same goes with some shelving in our mudroom that ends up accumulating extra things. We both sort through our clothing every 2-3 months and I either sell it on Poshmark or donate what we aren’t wearing. The rule of thumb for this is, if it doesn’t bring me joy, it’s outta here. It’s also good to go through bathroom cabinets/ medicine cabinets every 6 months or so to get rid of what has expired and make notes on what you’re low on.
- Sort through the mail immediately. Ok, this one doesn’t always happen right away. But 99% of the time we go through our mail the same day we bring it inside. Junk goes in the garbage, bills go in a file, magazines go in a cabinet. Everything has a home and I’d much rather put the mail away then stare at it on the counter or my desk for days on end.
- Make sure everything has it’s own place. I mentioned having labeled baskets in the bathroom in #1. Do the same for the linen closet and the kitchen pantry. Our pantry has these baskets and I separated it into: vitamins, protein powders, snacks, baking items, cooking oils and sauces/condiments/dressings. We also take the paper goods out of the plastic and organize them neatly on the shelf. I’ve been meaning to get or make pretty labels for the pantry but haven’t gotten around to it yet. A company who totally inspires me with this is The Home Edit.
- Have a designated junk drawer. Truth be told, junk drawers used to stress me out. I’d open it up and there would be all sorts of receipts, pens, note pads, phone chargers, and lip balm everywhere. Once we moved I decided the junk drawer was getting an upgrade. We bought these organizers and still have all of the items listed above in this drawer, but they’re all in their own little space. As for receipts and/ or coupons, make sure to sort through these every 2 months or so. Throw away what you no longer need and/or has expired. It’s a stress-free junk drawer, much more enjoyable!
I can’t reiterate the importance of keeping your house in order. From a wellness standpoint (and just for your sanity!) it makes a home a relaxing environment which is the way it should be! Have anymore tips on ways you keep your house clutter-free? Leave a comment below!
Shop the baskets and containers we use around the house here:
Leave a Reply