Please inspire me with your best tips for an organised home!

[AlexaShutUp]

Really want to get organised at home this spring, so I'm looking for tips that will inspire me! Ideas/storage solutions that have made life easier, routines that have changed your approach to housework etc.

For context, we have a smallish house with far too much clutter and too little space, so I know I need to get rid of stuff. Tried watching Marie Kondo but the whole "sparking joy" thing didn't really speak to me. I'm afraid I'm a hoarder by nature but I know I need to change.

I work FT, so time is limited. Have one teenage dd who is generally very organised but her room gets messy when she is busy and her stuff gets left all over the house. DH is also a bit of a hoarder though he doesn't like to admit it.

Does anyone have stories of how they have started off with loads of clutter/mess and then genuinely turned things around?

Kallax for stuff - we have our tv sat on a 2x4 Kallax which contains all of DD's toys.

Otherwise keep less stuff. No point keeping stuff you can't find. I have hoarding tendencies but my turning point was wasting an hour looking for a thing I was sure I had to find it was the wrong size. Thing cost about £1. Time and space have value as well as things.

I’ve loosely Kondod only by watching the show - haven’t read the book and don’t do the whole ‘spark joy’ thing. I cannot tell you how great it is to have SPACE in cupboards/drawers/shelves, because I’ve got rid of stuff but also because things are folded better. The better folding means things are more accessible too. Also i am really appreciating going to a place where something should be (eg scissors) and THEYRE THERE!! No rummaging required! It’s great.

So I’d recommend getting rid of stuff in any case. Other than that, I’m watching with interest 😄

The kondo TV programmes don't really explain kondo very well at all. They're so quick and a bit dummed down. Suggest you read the book properly to get it a bit more. It's more of a philosophy than a one time declutter. Eg. Gifts - I now have no guilt if my MIL gives me something hideous I thank her profusely and as soon as she's gone it goes to charity. Kondo teaches that the joy was in her choosing for me, giving it to me and me showing gratitude which solidifies our relationship. Once the ritual is over the 'thing' is yours to dispose of at will without guilt. Yay no more cupboards full of gifts i hate. There's loads more examples like that in the book but basically you end up with a house filled with only useful things you really like and lots of space!

Have a look at the organised mum method on the internet or it's called TOMM on Facebook. It's a very organised method where if you do a 30 minute stint each day (plus other stuff) you keep on top of it. Have a look and see, there are also videos on you tube.

I second TOMM! I find it works well for us, there's myself, DH, 4 year old and 2 year in the house.

I did 2 kondo sessions after reading the book and it's brilliant. We've approached it as if we are trying to get our house ready to put on air bnb....(we arent) but try to only keep stuff that someone visiting would want/need, and know where to find it. So in the kitchen we have the essentials and a couple of bits to add character but nothing that would be in the way if a new family moved in...does that make sense?

I do a bit of decluttering each day and never do a whole lot of clearing in one go. I have a charity shop bag in the cupboard - one for kids clothes, one for other stuff. When I find something that I realise I don't need/too small for child/broken either put it in the charity shop bag or bin if it is broken. Then when bag is full, take to charity shop or if children's clothes - give to person with younger children! 1 item minimum a day very easy to stick to.
That doesn't really answer your question, but I do think that little and often is good, and keeps momentum.