Let’s face it. Being at home right now looks a lot different than it has in the past. You may be working from home, spending most days indoors, and even managing homeschooling your kids from your house.
With all of these new activities being brought into the home, managing your space and staying organized is essential now more than ever. How does your space operate for you? If you’re feeling cooped up and cluttered, we’re breaking down 5 ways to get and stay organized while staying home this summer.
1. Declutter
If your home doesn’t function well for you simply because you don’t have space for things, consider decluttering and getting rid of stuff you no longer use or need. Decluttering can be overwhelming, so we recommend tackling one room or area at a time. Don’t feel like you have to declutter your entire house in one day. Try going through your bedroom closet, pantry, hallway closets, bathroom, and desks or cupboards.
2. Use labels
Labeling things like drawers, pantry shelves, and boxes can help you quickly identify where things live and where they should be put away. When you know where things go, it makes finding them and storing them for future use much easier.
We love printing labels and using them on clear boxes and drawers. Using clear containers for items in your pantry and other closed-off areas makes finding things you’re looking for super convenient. Find the label, check in that storage container, and grab what you need.
3. Invest in a new organization system
Does your space just not work for your needs? A new organization system may do the trick. If you’re looking for a complete closet overhaul or other space to keep things organized, products from Victory Closets may be perfect for you. The best part? Our systems and products are easy to reconfigure and can grow and evolve with your organizational goals.
4. Practice the 1 in, 1 out rule
For places like your closet that may not have physical room to grow, try practicing the 1 in, 1 out rule. How does that work? It’s actually pretty simple. For every one new item you bring into your home, get rid of one old one. This can consist of throwing out something old and worn out or donating gently-used things to a local shelter.
5. Schedule time each season to keep up with clutter
Do you easily get overwhelmed with decluttering and organizing your home? Try scheduling time each season to make organization more manageable. Whether that looks like a Saturday each season or 2 hours every month, adding time to your calendar or planner will help keep you accountable and give you the time you need to address these areas.
Additional Tips Specific For You In Your Situation
If being home 24/7 is a new reality for you, we also have some suggestions on ways to get organized depending on your needs. For those working from home, college students who had to leave their dorms or apartments, and everyone in between, try some of these practical tips on ways to make your space work for your new needs.
For the work from home individual or couple:
If you’ve recently switched to working from home and need some help finding a space that works for you, we first recommend finding a nook or room in your home to create a working oasis. If you don’t have a home office, a corner of your living room or built-in unit in a hallway may work surprisingly well.
Once you find a space to set aside and dedicate to work, the next essential is ensuring it’s organized and equipped with the things you need to work efficiently and get your job done. If you don’t have any sort of storage, try adding baskets, shelves, or cabinets so everything can have a space to live.
If possible, only use this working space to actually do your work. For work-from-home individuals who work from their bed or a couch, it can become harder to differentiate between work and time off the clock. If you don’t have a dedicated space to work, the lines between getting in the zone and stepping away at the end of the day can become very blurred.
For the homeschooling or virtual schooling parent:
If homeschooling has become a new norm in your household and you anticipate some level of homeschooling or virtual schooling this fall, differentiating between school time and playtime is essential for your kids. When it’s time to get to school work, your children need to understand where they can work and what that space means.
If you have a playroom, office space you can share with the kids, or other areas that can double as a school space, be sure to communicate to your children that this is where school takes place. Much like working from home, if you can set boundaries around when and where school occurs in the house, it helps children understand what mindset they need to be in when it’s time for school.
For the relocated college student:
If you’re a college student and recently relocated back home from your campus or dorm due to COVID-19, still managing to get your schoolwork done can be a real feat. As you learn the new rules and guidelines around virtual courses and online classes, not having a dedicated space to work can make these challenges even harder.
Whether your dedicated workspace is a desk in your bedroom or a communal office, find an area where you can get in the zone and do your work. If you don’t have a workspace to call your own, consider converting a spare bedroom or office into a new work area. By condensing furniture, rearranging things as needed, and adding in some valuable storage or shelves, you may find that a setup similar to your dorm room or apartment may work well for you. Lock the door, hop on that zoom meeting, and be sure to organize your belongings so you can easily locate the things you need.
For the loungewear enthusiast:
Much like your physical work location, your work attire probably looks different than it did at this time last year.
If your daily attire consists of sweatpants, t-shirts, or other lounge items, that doesn’t mean you need to neglect your regular workwear. Take this time to sort through your work wardrobe and get rid of older items you no longer wear, that don’t fit, or that you just don’t want. Once you clear things out, find an organization system that works for your needs. If you currently use a Victory Closets system or are considering redoing your current storage situation, keep in mind how easy it is to customize these products and change them as your needs change.
Why Victory Closets
Victory Closets’ systems are an extremely affordable, yet versatile system that will allow you to rearrange your closet over and over again without using any tools. It is an easy and convenient way to transform your wardrobe, pantry, linen closets, and more. Reconfigure your closet as much as you want to meet your ever-changing needs.
Our systems are unique to each customer and evolve with lifestyle changes, seasonal clothing, and can even adjust to growing kids or families. We also offer additional accessories for our systems including drawers, shelves, hampers, and other attachments down the road. Victory will also make sure you are using every inch of your closet so you have maximum space.
Call or email Victory today for your complimentary, hassle-free quote!
What other ways are you staying organized at home during this season? We’d love to hear!
