Imagine walking into a beautifully organized home where everything has its place—no Legos scattered across the floor, no shoes cluttering the entryway, and no school papers piling up on the kitchen island. It not only looks great, but it also functions seamlessly, making daily life with kids feel calmer and more manageable. 

In this post, we’ll share common organizing mistakes to avoid so your home can support your busy family and help you live your best, most stress-free life.

Mistake #1: Waiting for the Perfect Time to Start

Many homeowners put off organizing because they feel like they need a full weekend—or even a week—to make real progress. But waiting for that perfect stretch of free time often means the clutter just keeps building. The best approach is to start small and focus on one space or category at a time—like a linen closet or even just a junk drawer—to build momentum. 

Involving older children in these smaller projects is a great way to teach them organizing skills and prepare them to manage their own rooms with confidence. Tackling your home in manageable sections not only makes the process less overwhelming, but those small wins add up quickly to big, lasting results.

Mistake #2: Shopping for Supplies Before Decluttering

Homeowners often make the mistake of purchasing bins, totes, and organizing solutions before they’ve sorted through what they’ll be storing. The first step in any organizing project is to sort your items and declutter, which helps you determine what you want to keep. 

Once you’ve pared down your belongings, you’ll have a clearer idea of the storage solutions that will best support your space. Only after these two steps should you begin shopping for functional organizational products, choosing them with a specific size and purpose in mind to truly maximize your space.

Mistake #3: Letting the Discard Pile Linger

Homeowners often declutter but hold onto their discard pile for so long that they start re-evaluating and keeping many items they originally planned to get rid of. Once you’ve determined what to discard, it’s important to act quickly—trash items should be bagged and put straight into the trash receptacle, while donatable items should be boxed up and taken directly to the donation center, or at least placed in your car. This immediate action helps prevent second-guessing and keeps the decluttering momentum going.

Mistake #4: Only Using Horizontal Storage 

Homeowners often organize and declutter but then stack bins on top of one another, making them just as inaccessible as before. Instead of relying on horizontal storage, vertical storage is a much more effective solution. 

In spaces like basements or garages, investing in sturdy shelving units to place your bins on will make them easier to access and prevent crushing the bins on the bottom. In smaller spaces like bathroom cabinets or coat closets, stacking drawers are a great alternative to bins, providing easy access while keeping everything neatly contained.

Mistake #5: Forgetting to Plan for the Future 

Homeowners often pack their storage areas so tightly that nothing else will ever fit, leaving no room for future items. To avoid this, it's a good idea to leave a few empty bins or containers for future growth, giving you space to store new items as they come in. 

Regularly decluttering and asking yourself, "Is this item worth the space it takes up?" can also help keep your space manageable. Be honest with yourself about how much space you truly have and whether each item is truly worth holding onto. By making room for the future and keeping only what you need, you can avoid overcrowded storage areas and maintain a more organized home.

If you're ready for an expert to bring function and beauty to your space, we've got your back! Contact us and let's get to know each other.

Warmly,
Keli