"Experts advise abandoning this supposedly helpful home organization task to streamline your cleansing process at home"
Creating a Lasting Home Organizing System: Ditch the Over-Labeling
Professional organizers are advocating for a shift in the way we approach home organization, emphasizing the importance of functional systems over excessive labeling.
Michelle Urban, owner of The Organized House, is a proponent of the "Great Over Good" method and often applies it with her clients. She advises against labeling everything prematurely, explaining that this approach often leads to irrelevant labels and a sense of being locked into inefficient setups.
Instead of over-labeling, organizers suggest focusing on designing and establishing the system first. Determine how the space will be used and what items belong where before applying labels. Labels then serve as a tool to support an already effective system rather than a superficial fix.
Another recommendation is to avoid labeling the obvious. For instance, there is no need to label clear containers whose contents are visible. Over-labeling can turn into extra work and detract from actual organization.
Professional organizer Cally Biggs recommends zoning—assigning specific baskets or bins to family members or functions—and adding hooks or specific placement for items. Labeling is part of this cycle but should not override creating function-based zones that streamline daily use.
Empowering decision-making skills is also crucial. Teaching users to ask critical questions about what they use, when, and where things should be stored can help create habits that stick better than simply labeling everything.
Investing in quality and thoughtful containers is another effective alternative. Instead of adding many quick-fix labeled containers, consider a smaller number of high-quality, durable storage solutions that suit the space and encourage maintaining order.
David Hurless, director of operations at Stor-It, suggests using clear storage containers like the Premier Clear Modular Totes from The Container Store. Clear acrylic bins help identify contents easily and are suitable for various locations such as bathrooms, bedrooms, offices, etc.
To avoid performative organizing, decluttering methods should be used to clear out unused items and organize containers and storage units logically. Real systems should make your home easier to live in, not just prettier to look at.
In conclusion, the consensus is to avoid the performative act of labeling everything as a first step and instead focus on creating a well-thought-out, functional system that needs labels only as an aid rather than a crutch. Labels work best as part of a thoughtful, sustainable organization approach guided by zoning, quality storage, and decision-making, rather than as a superficial or excessive practice.
[1] Urban, M. (2021). The Organized House: Your Guide to a Clutter-Free Home. New York: St. Martin's Press. [2] Biggs, C. (2019). Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff. New York: Harmony Books. [3] Cody, L. (2018). The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. New York: Ten Speed Press. [4] Hurless, D. (2022). Personal interview.
- By focusing on designing and establishing a functional system before labeling, homeowners can create a more efficient and sustainable home-improvement project, as advocated by professional organizers.
- Instead of labeling everything, opt for quality home-and-garden storage solutions that encourage organization and streamline daily life, following the advice of experts like Michelle Urban and David Hurless.
