"Experts recommend abandoning this ostentatious housekeeping chore for a simpler, more efficient approach to home organization"
In the quest for a clutter-free and well-organized home, it's easy to fall into the trap of over-labeling everything. However, professional organizers advise against this performative organizing task, as it does not create a lasting organizing system. Instead, consider alternative methods that prioritize function and ease of use.
David Hurless, director of operations at Stor-It, suggests using clear storage containers for organizing items. Clear containers allow for direct visibility into storage tubs without needing labels, providing flexibility and easy access to items. The Premier Clear Modular Totes from The Container Store are an example of clear storage containers that can transform your home storage.
Michelle Urban, owner of The Organized House, is a big fan of the "Great Over Good" method and uses it often with her clients. This approach encourages choosing functionality over aesthetics, ensuring that your organizing system is practical and long-lasting.
Organizing items based on where they are used most (the co-worker/cousin method) is another effective strategy. Grouping like items together logically and naturally, rather than relying heavily on labels, makes finding items a breeze. Smaller containers, perfect for pantries, cabinets, and fridges, are stackable for vertical storage, making them an ideal choice for this method.
Ditching labels entirely can provide more breathing room and allow for future changes to an organizing system. Real systems should make a home easier to live in, not just prettier to look at. Sustainable, natural, and modular storage solutions also contribute to maintaining neatness with less need for labels. Utilizing sustainable and varied storage options like natural-fiber baskets, pegboards, wire shelving, and hooks can help categorize and store items efficiently and practically.
Reusable chalkboard labels can be wiped clean and refreshed as needed, offering a minimalist labeling option. However, be mindful not to over-rely on label makers, as this can lead to over-organizing and irrelevance of labels.
Labels should be used sparingly, such as on opaque containers or when organizing specific spaces like attics or garages with too much stuff. Under-bed storage bags with clear lids can negate the need to label everything while allowing for flexible seasonal storage.
Decluttering first by removing unused items is crucial. This ensures that remaining belongings warrant simpler, less segmented storage solutions that don't require over-labeling. The book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo offers decluttering and organizing advice, having sold nine million copies.
David Hurless, a storage expert serving the Greater Treasure Valley, Donnelly, and McCall for over five decades, emphasizes the importance of these strategies. By adopting these alternative methods, you can create a home organizing system that lasts because it adapts to how people actually live, rather than imposing rigid labels.
Organizing items based on their function and the spaces they are most frequently used, like the co-worker/cousin method, offers more practicality than heavy labeling. Using modular, natural, and sustainable storage solutions, such as pegboards, wire shelving, and hooks, helps categorize items efficiently without excessive labeling.
In some cases, like attics or garages with numerous belongings, using labels on opaque containers may be beneficial to easily identify items. Clear under-bed storage bags with lids, however, can eliminate the need for extensive labeling while still providing flexibility for seasonal storage.
