Life can get messy. Literally. With the hectic pace of life, it’s often hard to prioritize making time to keep a home tidy and clutter free.

I know what you’re thinking - what’s the big deal? Is clutter really so bad?

Truth be told, it is. Clutter can decrease our sense of well-being, adding stress to our lives and increasing feelings of anxiety. There’s just something about your home being orderly and beautiful. It helps you feel like you can breathe easier.

The secret sauce to achieving a clutter free existence is simple. Give everything a designated home. If you know where things belong you can easily find them and put them away, doing away with those messy drop zones that get out of hand.

So, with that, here are a few quick tips, focused on four different areas of your home, to help you keep your spaces functional, organized, and beautiful.

THE KITCHEN

The Pantry - Whether you have a large pantry or a tiny one, tiered shelves and pull out baskets will be a godsend in achieving your organized and accessible pantry goals. Make sure that the baskets or bins you use allow you to easily see when items are running low and need to be restocked. It’s also helpful if they are made of a material that is easy to clean because spills happen. Always keep bins labelled so everyone, kids included, can easily find what they need.

The Drawers - Messy drawers reduce our productivity, but drawer organizers can help defeat the chaos. Organizers can come as one big compartmentalized insert or in various sizes that you can mix and match to create the storage of your dreams. Figure out which system works better for you.

The Countertop - Aim to keep countertops free and clear but, if you run out of storage space in your pantry or want certain cooking utensils handy, be mindful of the containers you choose. If you need to store pantry items on the countertop or on floating shelves, opt for clear or labeled canisters so you know where to find what you need. To create a cohesive and styled space, stick to containers that have a unified look (and by that, I don’t mean it needs to be matchy-matchy storage).

THE BEDROOM…

Find a Folding System - Whether you use the Konmari method or find a different system that works for you, folding and organizing your drawers well will instantly increase your available storage space and (side benefit) make you feel lighter.

Pick Furniture with Built-In Storage - Double duty furniture can add quick and easy storage in your space. If you want a place to sit to put on your shoes, place a bench at the foot of your bed that can store extra pillow and blankets. Use a small chest as your nightstand so you can easily stow items that you want at your bedside.

Organize Those Shoes - Whether you have built in shoe shelves, shoe cubbies, or use the floor, store shoes heel to toe to maximize space (hello new shoes!) and allow you to easily assess color, style, and heel height during the morning rush.

THE PLAY AREA…

Small toys and games with multiple pieces - Capturing vertical space by utilizing built-in shelves or cubby units is key when it comes to organizing these types of toys. Use clear pouches and and clear lidded tubs - all labeled - to keep the pieces stored together. Stack bins on shelves or store pouches in a basket so they will be easy for your little ones to find and put away.

Toys that have a lot of little pieces - Furniture that doubles as storage will be your best friend when it comes to storing toys like blocks, magnatiles, and legos. Stools or ottomans that have a removable seat are the perfect addition, as they’ll add beauty, organization, and function to your space.

Larger, single piece, items - Large woven baskets are a functional and beautiful way to store stuffed animals, dolls, blankets, trucks, and other coveted toys that your kids may not want stashed away in a closet.

Books - Picture ledges and spice shelves are a quick and easy DIY that can be added to any space for book storage that doesn’t take up a lot of space. Layer the books on the shelves so that your kids can find what they want and leave a stool nearby (if they’re old enough) so they can access items that are on higher shelves.

THE LAUNDRY ROOM…

Maximize Hanging Space - Add tension rods or hanging bars to empty wall space, providing a space to air dry and hang newly laundered items that is off the floor and out of the way.

Keep Things Accessible - Store step ladders, drying racks, and ironing boards within reach. Depending on your layout, you might even be able to slide them in between your washer and dryer so they don’t take up extra space!

Easy Transport - Keep baskets handy to help you store, stow and cart laundry. Baskets on wheels or baskets with handles are great when you need to transfer items from one space in the house to another. Oversized baskets are a great catchall for odds and ends. Remember, baskets can be beautiful, adding to the decor as much as they help your space function better.

…AND THE SPACES BEYOND

None of the tips above apply to only one space of the home. They can all be carried into other spaces, creating an overall atmosphere of calm energy in your home, reducing stress. At the basis of each tip is the principal that was mentioned at the outset - give everything a home. Store items so they are easy to find and accessible to you where you need them in the home and feel the chaos start to melt away.

For more tips, tricks, and design inspiration follow along on my Instagram @gottliebsilverstudio, linked below.