How to Organize All Those Things You Never Thought to Organize
Most of us know how to organize the obvious parts of our homes—like kitchen drawers or closets—but what about the spaces and items that tend to fly under the radar?
The bookshelves that are more chaotic than curated? The mountain of craft supplies you can’t find when inspiration strikes? The bar cart that somehow becomes a catch-all? It’s time to learn how to organize all these and many other areas in your home that are often overlooked.
How to Organize All Those Things You Never Thought to Organize
If you’ve ignored your bookshelves, craft supplies, bar area, and more, it’s time to tackle them. Organizing those often-overlooked spaces can affect how your home functions and feels.
Here’s how to organize everything you never thought to organize, with practical tips for each category.
Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for the most important one!
1. Bookshelves
Bookshelves are more than just storage for books—they’re a focal point in many rooms. But it’s easy for them to become cluttered and disorganized.
I redid the bookshelves in the guest bedroom on our third floor, and I love them!
In our living room, I redo the bookshelves twice a year.
How to Organize:
• Declutter First: Go through your books and donate or sell ones you no longer want. Keep only those you love or plan to read.
• Group by Category or Color: For a visually appealing look, organize books by genre, author, or even color.
• Mix in Decorative Items: Add framed photos, plants, or small sculptures to break up the rows of books and make the shelves look styled rather than crammed.
• Use Baskets or Boxes: On the lower shelves, store smaller items like magazines, bookmarks, or notebooks in decorative bins or baskets.
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2. Craft Supplies
Craft supplies can quickly spiral into chaos, especially if you enjoy multiple projects. I finally solved my craft supply organization with the Dream Box.
But don’t be fooled; I also have another craft storage area. Why? Because I have way too many craft supplies!
We can assume you don’t have nearly as many craft supplies as I do!
How to Organize:
• Sort by Type: Group items like paints, brushes, fabrics, ribbons, and paper into categories.
• Use Clear Containers: Store supplies in clear bins or jars so you can see what you have at a glance.
• Label Everything: Use a label maker or write on the bins to make finding things easy.
• Invest in a Rolling Cart: A tiered rolling cart is perfect for keeping your most-used supplies accessible while storing less-used items in a closet or cabinet.
• Pegboards for Tools: Hang scissors, rulers, and other tools on a pegboard for easy access.
3. Towels and Linens
Towels and linens are often thrown haphazardly into closets, making finding the right size or set a chore.
How to Organize:
• Declutter Old Items: Donate or repurpose towels and stained, torn, or unused linens.
• Fold Consistently: Use the same folding method for a neat, uniform look. Roll towels if you’re short on space.
• Sort by Use: Keep towels, sheets, and blankets in separate stacks. Consider storing each sheet set inside one of its pillowcases for easy access.
• Use Shelf Dividers: Dividers help keep stacks of linens from toppling over and make the closet look cleaner.
• Label Everything: It’s great to organize your linens but the most important task is keeping it organized. Add labels to help remind everyone where to put things.
4. Shoes
Shoes can quickly overrun closets and entryways, creating clutter and chaos.
I must reorganize this shoe rack in our closet about every three months. Perhaps my shoes multiply at night, but I have no idea how this area is in complete disarray most of the time!
How to Organize:
• Purge Unused Shoes: Donate or recycle shoes you haven’t worn in the past year.
• Invest in Proper Storage: Use shoe racks, clear shoe boxes, or hanging organizers. For boots, consider using boot shapers to keep them upright.
• Seasonal Rotation: Store off-season shoes in bins or under-the-bed storage to free up space.
• Keep Pairs Together: Use clips or elastic bands to keep flip-flops or small shoes paired.
5. Beauty Products
Beauty products can pile up quickly, especially if you have an affinity for trying new items.
How to Organize:
• Declutter Expired Products: Check expiration dates and toss anything old or unused.
• Put Away What You Don’t Need: If you don’t use it daily, put it away. If you have enough drawer space, put it all away. A clean countertop always looks best.
• Sort by Type: Group items like skincare, makeup, haircare, and tools into categories.
• Use Drawer Dividers: Dividers keep products like lipsticks, mascaras, and brushes organized.
• Limit Duplicates: Aim to have one or two go-to products per category instead of stocking multiples.
• Install a Vanity Shelf: Use a small shelf or tray to display frequently used items neatly on your counter.
6. Coats and Outerwear
Coats can overwhelm entryways, closets, and mudrooms if not appropriately managed.
How to Organize:
• Seasonal Storage: Store off-season coats in vacuum-sealed bags or on the top shelf of your closet.
• Limit the Number: Keep only the coats you wear regularly in your primary storage space. Donate extras.
• Install Sturdy Hooks: Hooks near the entryway are perfect for everyday coats and jackets.
• Use Matching Hangers: Uniform hangers look better and maximize closet space.
7. Bar Items
Whether you have a bar cart or a dedicated cabinet, the bar area often becomes cluttered with bottles, glasses, and gadgets.
How to Organize:
• Declutter Old Bottles: Toss anything expired or nearly empty that you no longer use.
• Group by Type: Arrange liquor bottles, mixers, glassware, and tools in separate sections.
• Use Trays or Bins: Contain smaller items like stirrers, coasters, and napkins in decorative trays or bins.
• Display Strategically: Showcase your most attractive bottles and glasses on open shelving while keeping backups stored away.
8. Car – Center Console
Your car’s center console can quickly become a black hole for random items like loose change, receipts, and chargers.
How to Organize:
• Empty It Out: Remove everything and start fresh.
• Use Small Containers: Separate items like chargers, sunglasses, and personal care items (e.g., hand sanitizer and tissues) in small bins or zippered pouches.
• Keep Essentials Only: Store only what you use while driving, such as a phone charger and a notepad.
• Add Dividers: Insert adjustable dividers to prevent items from sliding around. You can also add cup holders and additional storage containers.
9. Decor Supplies
Decor supplies like seasonal decorations, vases, and candleholders can take up a lot of space if not stored properly.
I own enough pillow covers to have two drawers dedicated to them. Fortunately, they fit easily in the drawers that hold VCR tapes and DVDs. My, how times change!
How to Organize:
• Categorize by Season or Use: Group items by holiday, season, or purpose.
• Use Clear Bins: Store decor in clear bins with labels for easy identification. Store by season so you can easily pull out bins when needed.
• Wrap Fragile Items: Protect delicate items like ornaments or glass vases with bubble wrap or tissue paper. Wrap linens with ribbons to keep them together.
• Rotate Displays: Keep frequently used decor in an accessible spot and rotate items to refresh your space.
10. Tax Receipts and Bills
Paper clutter can become overwhelming if not managed, especially regarding tax receipts and bills.
How to Organize:
• Go Digital: Scan and store receipts and bills digitally using an app or cloud storage.
• Use File Folders: Sort paper documents into labeled folders, such as “Taxes,” “Utilities,” and “Medical.”
• Create a Yearly Binder: Use a binder to organize tax-related documents for each year, making filing easier.
• Shred What You Don’t Need: Shred outdated bills and receipts to reduce paper clutter.
But Wait, You Forgot The Most Important Thing You Need to Organize
What bugs you the most in your home? There must be something you deal with frequently that, if re-organized, would make your life happier.
Take a minute to decide what it is.
For me, it was easy.
A few years ago, I made these canisters. They looked great, and I loved them—until I realized a few things. They were heavy and wouldn’t fit anything larger than a 1/2-cup measuring cup, which meant adding eight cups of bread to a sourdough bread recipe was sixteen scoops. Aargh!
I found some large but well-priced apothecary jars (all three linked below) on Amazon and filled them with bread flour, sugar, and brown sugar. Who knew the simplest thing could make me so happy?
Organizing these overlooked spaces might seem daunting, but tackling them individually can make a huge difference in how your home functions and feels. With little effort and creativity, you can transform these chaotic areas into organized, functional spaces.
Which area will you organize first? Share your tips and ideas in the comments below—I’d love to hear how you tackle your clutter!
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.Everything You Need to Get Organized
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I am always amazed at bloggers- you all seem to be so organized—- I’m still putting away Christmas and I always have rooms to organize and never find time to declutter, give away or throw away. It seems like a daunting task. One day….
I totally understand it feeling daunting- it feels the same for me! I find focusing on one room, one drawer, one area- is the way to go. Do it peacefully and try not to overwhelm yourself ❤️☺️
Great article! Can you share the floor tiles used in your craft storage space? (The checkerboard floor) . Thank you!