Organization: you either love it or hate it. No matter your stance, having a good system of organizing is the key to a clean, calm living space. And who doesn’t want that? We’ve rounded up our favorite organization tips and DIY projects to help turn your home into the oasis it should be.
What are your favorite organizational tips? Let us know in the comments!
ENTRYWAY
Photo: Design Sponge
1. DIY Ladder Shelf Shoe Storage: Keep shoes tidy by storing them vertically.
Photo: Apartment Therapy
2. Over the Stairs Mudroom: No space for a mudroom? These stair-cubbies beg to differ. Make the most of the space where shoes, coats, and gloves will inevitably end up.
Photo: Planq Studio
3. Hidden Key Storage: There are certain things that are best kept by the door, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be seen. Unsightly objects can be kept contained behind a pretty picture.
Photo: Design Sponge
4. Mail Basket: You need a place to toss your mail. We’re loving this simple leather strap stunner!
Photo: Real Simple
5. Order of Things: Put hooks, containers, and mats in your entryway to correspond with the order in which you unload at the end of the day. Always take your shoes off last? Put a shoe rack at the end of your mudroom. Keeping things simple will keep you organized.
Photo: Nordic Bliss
6. Narrow Boxes: If you’re limited on space, mount a narrow shelf on the wall to store what you need.
Photo: Muuto
7. Wall Dots: If you’re looking for a cleaner look, simply mount wall hooks to hang your belongings.
Photo: Simple Shapes
8. Giant Calendar: Putting a calendar by the front door means everyone can stay on schedule. Get a giant planner like this one to organize absolutely everyone’s agendas.
Photo: Cup of Jo
9. IKEA Entryway: If you don’t have one, create your own mini-mudroom. A bench and this Fintorp rack from IKEA are just enough to keep the entryway tidy.
Photo: Martha Stewart
10. Recycling Station: If you have the extra space, organize your recycling by the back door to keep it out of the kitchen. Use a pegboard and baskets to sort items.
Photo: The Idea Room
11. Organization Board: Use metal boards and magnets at the entryway to keep kids’ homework and assignments in order.
Photo: Martha Stewart
12. Umbrella Station: Make a space for everything and every situation. A heavy duty container (like this metal bucket) is perfect for storing wet umbrellas.
KITCHEN
Photo: Apartment Therapy
13. Small Space Kitchen: Organize pots and pans on a wall-mounted pegboard.
Photo: IHeart Organizing
14. Fridge Bins: Step up your refrigerator game by keeping similar foods in labeled bins. Bonus – create an “almost expired” bin for food that’s about to go bad. Store it near the front of your fridge so you’re sure to pull from it first!
Photo: Martha Stewart
15. Etched Glass Storage Jars: It’s one of the classic organization tips: keep track of dry goods by storing them in matching containers.
Photo: The Painted Hive
16. Magic Decals: If etching isn’t your speed, try organizing with easy-to-apply decals.
Photo: The Paper Mama
17. Fridge Work Station: If you can put a magnet on it, it can be stored on your fridge! Create a mini command station by using small boxes and magnets to store all your odds and ends.
Photo: My Sweet Savannah
18. Bookshelf Pantry: If your home doesn’t have a pantry, make your own by using bookshelves.
Photo: A Living Space
19. IKEA Fintorp Kitchen Organization: Take advantage of any empty wall space by using a bar and hook system.
Photo: Organizing Home Life
20. Cupboard Pocket Organizers: Don’t waste the space inside your cupboards! These plastic envelopes are perfect for keeping track of receipts, mail, and bills.
Photo: Curbly
21. Magnetic Towel Bar: Make the most use of metal surfaces by utilizing magnets to hang what can’t fit on your countertop.
Photo: Two Twenty One
22. Hidden Kitchen Organizer: Take your cupboards to the next level by making this DIY command station just inside the door – no more clutter on the refrigerator!
Photo: Classy Clutter
23. Canned Food Organizer: Store cans and jars on a rolling cart next to the fridge.
Photo: HGTV
24. Airtight Containers: Cut down on wasted pantry space by trading cardboard containers for uniform glass ones. They’ll keep food fresh for longer, and they’re easier to organize.
Photo: Freckled Laundry
25. Wire Spice Rack: Store seasoning directly on the wall for easy access.
Photo: Simply Organized
26. Trash Bags on a Roll: You use them frequently – make them easy to reach! Store trash bags on dowel rods under the kitchen sink.
Photo: Apartment Therapy
27. Tension Rod Organizer: Speaking of under the sink… you can easily keep cleaning bottles within reach by storing them on a tension rod.
Photo: Curbly
28. Junk Drawer: The junk drawer doesn’t have to be a pit. Use rubber bands to store like-items together.
Photo: Better Homes and Gardens
29. Magnetic Knife Rack Hooks: Knife strips do double-duty. Use magnetic hooks to keep track of odds and ends.
OFFICE
Photo: The Lovely Drawer
30. DIY Hanging Organizer: It’s as pretty as a picture, but also holds all your stuff! If you don’t have any room on your desk, use wall space to store additional office supplies.
31. Wood Desk Organizer: Take control of desk clutter by creating a unique wood slab organizer.
Photo: Design for Mankind
32. DIY Cardboard Organizer: Here’s an organization tip for you: You don’t have to spend a bunch of money just to have a non-cluttered desk. Make your own organizer from layers of cardboard.
Photo: A Girl and a Glue Gun
33. Magnetic Dishes: Never lose another paperclip. Keep a magnetic dish on the side of your filing cabinet for pushpins, binder clips, and other metal odds and ends.
Photo: Design Improvised
34. Chalkboard Filing Cabinet: Paint a filing cabinet with chalkboard paint so you can label and re-label drawers as needed. It’s also great for scrawling notes to yourself.
Photo: Renovation Tracker
35. IKEA Double Duty: This Fintorp rack system can literally be used in any room of the house. Here it is storing pens, pencils, and other tools via small buckets.
Photo: Harri Wren
36. Paper Pencil Cup: Again, organization doesn’t have to be expensive! These pencil cups are made from paper. The main goal when organizing a desk is to keep like items together, and frequently used items within easy access.
Photo: A Pair and a Spare
37. DIY Hanging Baskets: Go vertical with your storage using hanging baskets.
Photo: Homey Oh My
38. Wood Desk Organizers: Being hands-on means being able to keep everything uniform and matching. Make your own desk cubbies from wooden craft boxes.
Photo: View From the Fridge
39. Anthro Knock-Off Gold Organizer: Can you believe this is made from old cans? Being organized can be so glamorous.
Photo: Woman’s Day
40. Wrapping Paper Rolls: Use small hooks and dowel rods to hang gift wrapping paper.
Photo: Make It and Love It
41. Plastic Bottle Bins: Can you believe these used to be plastic bottles? Organization on the cheap! By hanging these containers, they can be easily moved and rearranged as needed depending on the project you’re working on.
Photo: DIY Playbook
42. Printer-in-a-Basket: Unsightly electronics don’t have to be seen. Hide ’em in a basket.
Photo: Dabbles and Babbles
43. Washi Tape Cord Labels: Mark your cords with colorful washi tape to avoid the dreaded “pile of wires”.
Photo: Modish & Main
44. Desk Drawer Dividers: Don’t let your desk drawers become endless pits of junk. Improve efficiency by storing them in dividers.
Photo: Life Hack
45. Binder Clip Organizer: No more looking under your desk for that missing plug! Keep cords in the same place by affixing them to your desk with a binder clip.
CLOSETS
Photo: IKEA
46. Stacked Pants: Save on space and spare the wrinkles with this IKEA hack for hanging pants.
Photo: Real Simple
47. Enforce Limits: Use restraint when storing your belongings in a communal closet, like this hall closet. It’s everyone’s space – be mindful!
Photo: Brit Co.
48. Bungee Organizer: These stretchy ropes hold just about anything. If you don’t have the built-in space to hold your belongings, try creating your own.
Photo: Curbly
49. Let There Be Light: Adding a little light to your closet will make locating things a breeze. Use a stick-on L.E.D. lamp or strip of lights to illuminate the space.
Photo: Stylizimo
50. Heel Bar: Keep your high-heeled shoes scuff-free by storing them on the wall with a towel bar.
Photo: Home Goods
51. Organize Linens: By folding sheets inside of their corresponding pillowcases, you’re sure to never lose track of a set!
Photo: Just a Girl and Her Blog
52. Utilize the Whole Space: Closets are small by nature, so don’t waste a single inch. If you have space on the floor, you can use it to store shoes. Space above? Store objects you don’t need everyday access to, like out-of-season clothing.
Photo: View Along the Way
53. Slide-Out Scarf Organizer: Scarves are tricky to keep organized, but this DIY sliding organizer does the trick.
LAUNDRY
Photo: Vintage Revivals
54. Laundry Countertop: Use the space above your laundry machine by creating a folding station out of wood.
Photo: IHeart Organizing
55. Laundry System for Kids: Give your kids their own (labeled) laundry bins to teach them the importance of taking care of their belongings.
Photo: Curbly
56. Re-purposed Drawer Shelves: Mount a brightly colored drawer above your washing machine for added storage – plus the drawer pulls act as hooks!
Photo: IHeart Organizing
57. Iron-on Laundry Labels: If you sort your laundry as you’re putting it in the basket, guess what you don’t have to do before washing a load? Keep your colors separated with labeled bins.
Photo: Curbly
58. Properly Fold Your Sheets: Your laundry will look seamless once you learn how to fold those pesky fitted sheets. Plus when folded properly, they take up way less room in your closet.
BATHROOM
Photo: Ich Designer
59. Pallet Rack: This pallet-and-hook organizer is interchangeable, making it an ideal solution for those of us who like to rearrange.
Photo: Morning Creativity
60. Wire Earring Organizer: Earrings are notorious for getting lost. Display what you have and keep track of your collection with a frame and some mesh wire.
Photo: Redbook
61. Towel Rack: No shelving in your bathroom? Bring in your own, like this IKEA-hack towel rack.
Photo: michele ng
62. DIY Ring Box: With a cardboard box and some foam, this ring holder is almost too easy.
GARAGE
Photo: IHeart Organizing
63. Vertical Bike Storage: Bikes can take up a lot of space in a garage or basement. Try storing them vertically by mounting hooks to a wall or a low ceiling.
Photo: Maillardville
64. Garage Garden Station: As there usually isn’t a focal point in a garage (other than the car), it’s easy for things to feel like they’re getting out of hand. By storing similar items together, your garage will develop a sense of cohesiveness.
Photo: Homemade Modern
65. Screwdriver Rack: Store your tools with… well, other tools!
Photo: NewlyWoodwards
66. PVC Tool Storage: Few things are more frustrating than repeatedly knocking over the same shovel every time you move things around in your garage. Cut out that horrible clanging sound by keeping yard tools in this awesome do-it-yourself PVC storage system.
Photo: Hi Sugarplum!
67. Pegboard and Can System: Organize efficiently and for less by using recycled cans.
Photo: Anyone Can Decorate
68. Gutter Shelving: You heard that right. Gutters make great shelves!
Photo: Popular Woodworking
69. The “Hold Everything” Tool Rack: The ultimate craftsman’s storage system.
Photo: Remodelaholic
70. PVC Power Tool Holder: PVC is at it again! These large pipes make perfect containers for power tools.
Photo: Better Homes and Gardens
71. Magnetic Holder: A knife holder can be a great solution to keeping track of drill bits.
Photo: Hi Sugarplum!
72. How to Organize Paint: Wide-mouthed jars are great for holding touch-up paint, plus they’re easier to shake and mix than a full bucket.
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@Nancy Ross – Glad you enjoyed this list! Thanks!