Get Organized: Tidying Up Like the Pros

They store everything in transparent boxes, organize books according to rainbow colors, and label storage jars: tidying professionals are perfectly organized and make us happy with their organizational talent. Read here what we can learn from the specialists.

Tidying up like the pros tips

#01. Storage boxes as a basic principle

One of the guiding principles that all tidying professionals have in common is that you need a system that works for you – then you’ll keep things tidy in the long term.

An essential part of many organizational systems is transparent storage boxes. With the help of various containers and containers, you can organize everything you can get your hands on, from the wardrobe to the pantry to the jam-packed kitchen drawer. Of course, you can also use existing boxes, baskets, and boxes, even if they are not transparent or uniform.

#02. Everything has its place and is labeled

So it’s not about minimalism, but rather about the aesthetic presentation and categorization of what is available. The most important principle of the tidying style: everything has its designated place. Best in uniform, transparent boxes, screw-top jars, or on a turntable. The professionals are convinced that things that you can see, that are accessible and nicely arranged are more likely to be used.

All containers are labeled for a better overview. You can use a label maker, nice labels, or simply a permanent pen.

#03. The rainbow principle: order and visual calm

According to interior professionals, every room, every shelf, and every drawer has the potential to function and look beautiful at the same time.

Your house not only looks beautiful but also ensures visual peace. Above all, it is clear and makes it easier to keep things organized.

Tip to imitate: First clear out everything and get an overview of what you want to keep. Then start the sorting with red, orange, and yellow, move on to green and blue, and finish with purple. Voila!

#04. Stock and categorize your wardrobe seasonally

With so much passion for the topic of organization, you immediately want to separate your winter wardrobe from your summer clothes.

So let’s get started: Sort the clothes that don’t fit the season into transparent, labeled boxes, for example, so that they don’t take up important storage space for half the year. And then: Put it in the dry attic – this creates air in the closet and gives you space for more order.

You can now organize the rest of the clothing items according to categories (sweaters, skirts, jeans, etc.) and then again according to colors within these categories. This provides a good overview and clearly shows how much clothing is already available.

#05. Storage space that works

Boxes and containers are the all-purpose weapon – but they are not the only means of keeping things tidy. With shelf inserts, dividers, and drawers it is also possible to categorize things and find a fixed place for each piece. Because with a functioning interior, small items in particular can be stored well. This applies in the kitchen as well as in the home office or the wardrobe.

Some furniture companies, divide the drawers in wardrobes into many small compartments upon request when purchasing.

#06. Pantry goal: Organize your pantry

Tidying professionals show how you can save money and time and also reduce food waste with clever sorting and clear storage.

How it works? It’s simple: If you keep an eye on all your food using the obligatory transparent containers, you won’t buy anything twice or overlook something that only has a limited shelf life. This makes it easier to shopping plan.

#07. Beware, chaos! Organize spices correctly

A point that all professionals emphasize again and again: everyday items should be within reach and clearly visible. This also applies to the spice rack or drawer – a place that is practically doomed to sink into chaos.

In order to create lasting order here, an inventory must be made first. Ask yourself: Which varieties do I really use? And even though spices have a fairly long shelf life, which ones have expired and can be thrown away? Now it’s time to refill because uniform storage creates peace of mind.

Airtight containers such as transparent screw-top jars are a clear and aesthetic alternative to the many opened bags or plastic shakers on the market. Last but not least – you understand the principle – the glasses are labeled and organized. You can either do this alphabetically or categorize it by frequency of use or type of spice (herbs, baking flavors, etc.).

#08. Arrange in groups, for example on turntables and in boxes

That the necessary space for the typically American walk-in pantries is probably rarely available here has already been mentioned. However, the tips for storing provisions can still be easily applied to your own kitchen:

• Store food items sorted by groups.
• Transfer everything into uniform, airtight containers or bottles.
• Label containers and include expiration dates.
• Place frequently used items within easy reach and store rarely used ones either at the bottom or the top.
• Sort items by color where possible and sensible.

Tip to try: Arrange oils and sauces together on a turntable or in a box. This way, each product is easily accessible even on deep shelves or upper areas, and the cabinet won’t get messy with oily spills.

#09. For emergencies: storage of medication

The medicine cabinet can be a place of horror – at least organizationally speaking. However, good organization of the medicine cabinet helps to quickly find the needed medication. Before rearranging the medications, sorting them out is necessary. The pro tip: At least once a year, you should check the expiration dates of medications.

Also important for storage: it should be protected from light and kept dry.

For clarity, boxes within the medicine cabinet can also be helpful. Sorting the individual containers can be done, for example, by type of illness (cold/fever, stomach, first aid, etc.). Or you can categorize them by household members. Since children require completely different medications than adults, having a separate box for them is sensible. Once everything is stored away, labeling comes into play again – this saves time searching in case of emergencies.

#10. Desk storage: order in the home office

With a good organization system in your home office, you feel less stressed and are more productive. The well-known trick works here too: the consumables that you access most often should be within reach. Drawers with a well-structured interior are suitable here. Stackable containers (you guessed it: preferably transparent and labeled) keep all work materials ready, and open storage boxes are a functional solution for sorting the most important to-dos.

Cable clips and cable holders help keep the cable clutter from printers, laptops, and charging stations at bay. Last but not least, personal and loved things help to reduce stress and feel comfortable in the home office.

#11. Organization in the children’s room: Simple and intuitive

Many tidying professionals are convinced that all children can maintain an organization system in the long term, as long as it is simple and intuitive. The basic principle is that children love routines and find their way around better in a structured room. So it means dividing the room into zones: here you cuddle, there you do crafts, there you do puzzles. Labeled boxes with toys in a specific category (e.g. Lego, toy cars, doll clothes) make it easier for children to keep track and prevent parts from getting lost. For children who can’t read yet, sorting by color is just as effective.

Turntables, screw-top jars, and transparent containers help organize craft supplies, pens, and other supplies.