Best tips/buys for getting house organised

[Sunshine847]

Evening all,

As 2026 looms ahead I am looking at ways to make the house run as smoothly as possible.

Today I got stick on hooks for dressing gowns/ oodies and onesy’s in the kids rooms… such a game changer and no longer all over the floor.

Such a simple solution, made me wonder what else I was missing out on? I have ordered a holder for the shower and under sink storage… waiting to see if as exciting as the hooks.

please share any of your fav buys/tips

Decluttering is prob the best start.

I can't think of any specific ideas right now though I'm sure I've had plenty I was proud of at the time 😁

I read a book called something like The house that cleans itself. The author recommended taking photos of your home or even standing on a chair to get a different view of the space, and see what sticks out as needing a different solution. For example, f the shoe cabinet is empty and the shoes are scattered around outside if it, take the doors off the cabinet so it's just open shelves (or swap for a basket or a mat that becomes the shoe "container")

The lazy genius podcast has some good ideas for systems iirc. It's been a while since I've listened.

I also like the clutterbug quiz to help understand you and your families organising styles. I love things organised in general groups rather than microorganised - like I have a pen box that has anything vaguely writing implement like in it, plus tape, rulers etc all just literally chucked in. I'm happy to take a sec to search for something as long as I can lob it back in later without much effort. One of my daughters has different pots for different types of writing implement AND further sorts them by colour. She loves pottering and making it all cute. Def not my thing!

Great thread. I am a very messy person, so have to have systems and routines in place, otherwise my life gets totally out of hand. Basically, everything needs a place. Some examples:

• Matching, stackable and clearly labelled boxes in the utility for: spare leads, batteries, torches, tea lights, power banks etc. No more hunting about in a messy draw for me.
• All dry foods are decanted into labelled, clear, matching Tupperware boxes too. There are no annoying, awkwardly sized packets in my cupboards anywhere at all. Everything has an appropriate container - flour, sugar, stocks, couscous, the lot - and is stacked, so that nothing is hidden behind anything else.
• I store dried herbs and spices in a shallow kitchen drawer, and arrange them in alphabetical order. Adjustable bamboo draw dividers keep them neat and in place.
• Ikea ‘Skadis’ peg boards are ridiculously useful and versatile. I have one in the utility that holds everything neatly, from rolls of wrapping paper and scissors, to spare keys. The kids also have one each in their rooms above their desks.
• ShowerGem shower caddy is also brilliant. Have just installed and wish had done it sooner.
• Linen cupboard has a clear system. Each shelf is labelled. There’s a lot of labelling in my house 😂
• All instructions and warranties etc go into a display folder with plastic sleeves.
• Absolutely nothing is allowed to be stored in the attic.
• Reusable shopping bags are folded and stored in a neat box.
• Lakeland heated clothes drier is a total game changer.

Now I write it down, I probably sound a bit OTT but just can’t live any other way. I also edit and chuck chuck chuck regularly.

Start by decluttering - the less stuff you have, the easier it is to organise and when you sort through an area you can reorganise as your edit.
My rule is to review the stuff that hasn't been used in the last 12 weeks and question how difficult or expensive it would be to replace them. Then find a sensible storage place for the stuff you do need to keep.
Also, I ask myself would I pay to store it in a commercial storage space? Am I keeping it because my life is better with it or have I just not got round to getting rid of it?

Stuff that is used just once or twice a year can go in deep storage - loft, shed and other harder to access spaces. Stuff that gets used every day needs to be quick to hand and can stay out - coat on the coat rack, keys in a bowl on the kitchen surface etc.

Can I join? I’m fairly organised but I love this stuff.
when my dc were younger the role was their kit for dance or swimming or whatever was always kept in its own bag so washed then out right back in the bag on a hook in the hall. In the car the night before the lesson etc.
I’ve just been doing my kitchen cupboards and moved the constant use stuff down to eye level so I can see how many cans of beans all the time.
my dining room is a shit tip though

The best thing you can do for organising your home is to ruthlessly declutter.
only once you have done this,should you be looking at buying anything like storage stuff.

I have a decorative A4 box with a lid which sits on a shelf. All paper coming in to the house goes in the box and once a week it's dealt with. Really helps with tidying up, dealing with business receipts etc.

Totally agree.

Wow. Why nothing in the attic? (I wish I could get to this point). Where do you store things like Christmas decorations? Suitcases?

We’ve banned the loft use too - when we moved from the last house the stuff up there had been untouched for a couple of years so obviously not needed and most of it we gave away or dumped. We have shelving in our garage that we use instead and have created a couple of zones , one is pantry and chest freezer , another is kitchen supplies and gadgets , gardening then DIY and finally husbands brewing section.

Decluttering and label maker are good tools

Never underestimate how much you can achieve in 5 minutes of throwing things out.

Suitcases are stored in a spare wardrobe. We have two big ones, and the rest of our suitcases are stored inside them, like Russian dolls. The kids have a suitcase each, stored in their own rooms.

Christmas decorations are in two large containers on wheels. They go in the garage.

If I allowed one thing to be stored in ours, my DH would start squirrelling everything away up there until it became rammed. Then in the future if we downsize, it would be a nightmare to clear in our ageing years. Or if DH went before me, I’d be left with a full attic to tackle on my own. So that’s why it’s a flat no for me. And I hate the spiders and the stupid awkward tiny ladder situation!