Are you a parent who wants a few quick tips for how to organise your home better? Maybe you’re getting swamped in paperwork or the children’s toys, games and clothes have taken on a life of their own. We’re joined by Cora Gold of lifestyle magazine Revivalist who’s here to give us her top tips for how to keep your home organised as a parent.
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Why Do I Need To Organise My Home?
As a parent or carer, you’ll understand how important having an organised home is for peace of mind. A tidy space is much more appealing to the eye, and the lack of mess minimises stress. Plus, it ensures your children are growing up in a clean and healthy environment. However, maintaining your home can be challenging, no matter how hard you try. So read on for how to keep your home tidy and peaceful with these seven simple organisation tips.
1. Pay Attention To And Declutter Paperwork
Parents get all kinds of paperwork, from school nursery flyers to utility bills. These pages tend to pile up, so it’s best to sort through them. Place the most important ones on the fridge with a magnet for maximum visibility.
Consider recycling the paperwork you intend to discard. For example, you can clean or wipe your windows with old newspapers. If you need to ship a package, turn old papers into wrapping paper or shred it to create cushioning.
2. Utilise Organisers – Home Organisation Tips For Parents
Organisers are your best friend for keeping everything as clean and tidy as possible. Two-tiered and three-tiered stands are great for taking advantage of vertical space. You can also use revolving trays for smaller cabinets.
Try to repurpose certain items to save money on buying new containers. For example, you could use a wine rack to store your towels in the bathroom or an old ladder for coats and jackets in the living room or hallway.
3. Practise Cleaning As You Go – Home Organisation Tips For Parents
Setting aside time to organise the home is taxing, especially if you’re also working. The best way to keep everything tidy and arranged is to clean as you go. If you’ve just finished eating, take the time to wipe down the dining table and put away the dishes.
Since you’re already in the kitchen, then look through your cupboards and fridge, listing down what grocery supplies and food items are running low. You can throw away empty cartons and boxes as well. See what you can do from room to room.
4. Create A Drop Zone – Home Organisation Tips For Parents
Getting home from school or work can leave little energy for anything else, which means that your kids are more likely to drop their belongings just about anywhere. Create a designated drop zone for different items to keep them organised. Here are a few examples:
- Toys – have a container ready for them rather than leaving the toys and games scattered on the floor. Kids under 14 months of age can handle the responsibility of cleaning up their toys. If they tend to play in the living room more, place the drop zone there instead of in their bedrooms.
- Clothes – you can also organise clothes by having a drop zone. Place these in bedrooms by the wardrobe for when you and your kids change. To lessen the time spent sorting out dirty clothes when doing the laundry, have multiple containers for light-coloured and dark-coloured garments from the start.
- Bags – whether it’s a backpack, school PE kit bag, gym bag, or work bag, it’s important to keep bags in a safe spot. The best place for their drop zone is by the hallway right next to the door. They’ll be easy to grab in the mornings when someone is running late.
5. Multitask When Possible
Spending time with your children is incredibly fulfilling. Granted, they require plenty of attention. If you find a window where they’re focused independently – for example, if they’re playing happily or watching the TV – take the opportunity to multitask.
You can bring over a set of clean clothes that you can fold while staying on the same sofa or in the same room. If you have photos and videos you’re trying to sort through, now would also be a good time to do so. Be attentive while being productive.
6. Set a Timer Before Bed – Home Organisation Tips For Parents
Once you tuck your children to bed, it’s time to take care of yourself. However, you can also use some of this time to clean if you feel you want to (and have the energy!). Set a 30-minute timer and just go around the house to sweep and organise whatever is left.
If you’re more of an early riser, you can do this exercise in the morning instead. As long as you start the day with a cleaner house, maintaining it throughout the week will feel much easier.
7. Sort Through Unused Items – Home Organisation Tips For Parents
If there’s too much to organise in your home, you may have to reassess your belongings. Go on a decluttering spree to sort through unused and unwanted items. Clothes are the best place to start, as most babies triple their birth weight by their first birthday and grow out of them quickly.
You can then move on to other belongings like books and toys. Donate things that you never use anymore. Tuck away seasonal items like Christmas lights or Halloween costumes in the attic or loft.
How To Simplify Tiding Up the Home
Parents tend to be tough on themselves when juggling home organisation, but you can simplify the process by breaking down the tasks and building better habits.
Thanks To Cora Gold – Parenting Writer And Editor Of Revivalist
Cora Gold is a parenting writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Follow Cora on LinkedIn, X and Pinterest.
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