Your Storage Areas Need Organizing Too: How To Tidy Them Up

You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by cluttered storage spaces. Mindlessly tossing stuff in storage areas can quickly fill up space and create a messy look around your home. Later on, you might realize you can’t find what you need, or even forget what you own. Not being mindful about how you organize things can lead to piles of clutter that just make your daily life harder.

When your storage spaces get out of control, it’s time to declutter. This isn’t a one-time job – it’s about setting up a system that keeps things tidy and organized, makes room for what’s important, and supports your lifestyle as it changes. Unlike the super clean movie montages, decluttering isn’t about instant perfection. It’s about being intentional. Take a good look at your belongings and decide what’s worth keeping, whether for usability, sentimental value, or practical use.

Start by identifying the purpose of each storage space in your home, and break them down into smaller, more manageable sections. Then assess if each item is worth keeping – if so, decide if you’ll display it or store it neatly. If you choose to get rid of something, decide whether to throw it out or donate it.

To keep your storage areas organized, it’s best to declutter everyday spaces like your entryway, kitchen, bathroom, and wardrobe on a regular basis. These spots tend to collect clutter quickly, so focus on one shelf or drawer at a time. Get rid of things that no longer serve your daily routine, and keep only the items that make your life easier and more comfortable.

Look for old shoes, loose change, and dead plants cluttering your entryway. Clear out expired products, worn-out utensils, and other unsafe items from your kitchen and bathroom. And go through your wardrobe to find clothes you rarely wear, along with old, torn linens.

Sort your discarded items into boxes by type – keep shoes and clothes separate, and set aside a box for anything fragile, expired, or unsafe. You can also use boxes, baskets, or bowls to create designated “drop zones” for small bits of clutter around your home.

Areas like attics, basements, and garages tend to accumulate clutter more slowly. These long-term storage spaces hold seasonal decor, bulky equipment, extra furniture, and sentimental items. Check all your stored items carefully for any signs of rust, termites, or other damage – anything in poor condition needs to be tossed out to keep your home safe.

For the useful items you do want to keep, organize them in clear bins and stack them on shelves to maximize space. Place bigger equipment and furniture in a clean, dry corner and cover them with plastic to prevent more dirt. And for sentimental keepsakes, try to find creative ways to display them – like making a mantel vignette or turning photos into wall art – instead of just putting them back in storage.