How to Make Organizing a Habit (and Fall in Love With Your Home Every Day)

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you clean or organize, the mess always creeps back in? The secret to a truly organized home isn’t just a one-time purge—it’s building habits that keep your space tidy every day. When organizing becomes part of your routine, you’ll fall in love with how effortless it feels to maintain a calm, inviting home. Here’s how to make organizing a natural part of your daily life:

1. Start Small: Build One Habit at a Time

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when tackling organization all at once, but starting small is key. Pick one habit to work on, like putting away shoes as soon as you come home or clearing the kitchen counters before bed. Once that habit feels natural, add another. Over time, these small wins add up to a consistently organized and decluttered space.

2. Use Triggers to Anchor Your Habits

Pair new organizing habits with things you already do. For example:

• While waiting for your coffee to brew, tidy up the countertops.

• Before brushing your teeth at night, put away clothes lying around your bedroom.

•  During commercial breaks, sort through one small pile of paperwork or mail.

These triggers will remind you to act, making it easier to turn organizing and decluttering into second nature.

3. Follow the "One-Minute Rule"

Adopt the mindset that if something takes less than a minute to complete, do it right away. Examples include:

• Hanging up your coat when you walk in.

• Tossing junk mail into the recycling.

•  Putting the remote back in its designated spot.

These tiny tasks keep clutter from building up and make your space feel instantly more put together. When there are a number of small "less than a minute" tasks to be completed at once it can feel overwhelming and actually cause some individuals to do nothing. The key here is to do it immediately so it does not add up and feel like such a large task.

4. Designate “Homes” for Everything

Organization becomes effortless when everything has a place. Label bins, baskets, or drawers to eliminate decision-making and make cleanup a breeze. The rule? If you pick something up, it should go back to its “home” right away.

Think about scissors. You remove them from the drawer to open a package. Then you place them down on the counter top. The next thing that may happen is that you or someone else picks the scissors up and tosses them in a closet just to get them out of the way. Now the scissors have not been returned where they belong. Soooooo, the next time someone needs them they won't be easily retrieved. Whereas, if the scissors had been immediately returned to the drawer there would be no need to search for them.

5. Create an End-of-Day Reset Routine

Spend 10–15 minutes every evening resetting your space. Tidy up common areas, put items back where they belong, and prep for the next day. Waking up to a clean and organized home is a game-changer and sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

I cannot say enough about a good reset! If you would like a reset checklist, check out this free resource I have by clicking here.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

Each time you stick to an organizing habit, take a moment to recognize your progress. Maybe your kitchen counters have stayed clear for a week, or your laundry is finally under control. Acknowledging these victories keeps you motivated and reinforces the habit.

7. Make It Fun and Personal

Turn organizing into something you enjoy:

• Listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook while tidying.

• Involve the whole family and make it a game for kids (e.g., “Who can put toys away the fastest?”).

• Use storage solutions or decor that reflect your style to make your space feel uniquely yours.

8. Have a Weekly Reset Day

Dedicate one day each week to do a deeper reset of your home. Focus on areas that tend to gather clutter, like the pantry, junk drawers, or entryway. This keeps everything running smoothly and prevents messes from piling up.

9. Track Your Progress

Use a habit tracker or checklist to track your daily organizing habits. Checking off tasks each day builds momentum and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

10. Be Kind to Yourself

Remember, progress matters more than perfection. Life gets busy, and sometimes clutter happens. The key is to get back to your organizing habits without guilt or frustration.

Final Thoughts

When you commit to making organizing a habit, it transforms how you feel about your home. No more feeling like your space is working against you—instead, it becomes a place you love and look forward to being in every day. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how these habits make your home a source of peace and pride.

Overwhelmed and don't know how or where to begin?

If you are ready to tackle your clutter, but are overwhelmed by the process and needs someone to come alongside you to help, I am ready to assist. When we work together to declutter and organize your space, I do not become overwhelmed and can see the path to help you achieve your desired goals - a decluttered and organized home.

If you are seeking coaching and support to assist you in living an organized lifestyle, my Lifestyle Organization Coaching may be the solution you are seeking. Through my one-on-one coaching program we work together to build sustainable habits that will support the organized lifestyle you desire. 

Please complete the contact for linked here and I'll be in touch. I can't wait to help you achieve your goals!