How do you feel when you walk through the door to your home? Maybe a better question is: how would you like to feel when you walk into your home? If you feel as if this is it. This is the place you want to be because this is where you can relax, unwind, and feel at peace. Then this post is not for you. You have found your home organizing sweet spot.
But if you have a nagging feeling that things aren’t right when you walk through your door into your home then you have not found it. Maybe you see things you need to do, want to do, or should do to make your home feel as if this is where you belong. Perhaps you don’t know where to start, which makes you feel overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed. It’s time to create your home organizing sweet spot.
What is a home organizing sweet spot?
It’s always good to know what we are talking about. I define a home organizing sweet spot as the feeling you get when you are in your home that this is where you can be you. Things are where you want them to be, your home is as organized as works for you, and you feel as if this place is your personal refuge.
What don’t you like about your home?
Ask yourself what bothers you when you walk through the door into your home. Is it the paint, the artwork, or is it clutter? Maybe the entry isn’t welcoming. Perhaps the entry is hard to navigate because things just land there on the floor beside the door. You recognize it’s a tripping hazard, but you have your hands full. Since you don’t know what to do about it, you say to yourself ‘I’ll think about it later’.
Take time to define what it is that gives you the nagging feeling that there are things to do. Then make a list. Write down everything that you’d like to change. Once you have your list, make a second list in order of importance. From there you can schedule time to either make the changes yourself or get estimates to get the work done for you.
Is the problem clutter control?
As in your entry, maybe the problem in the family room, kitchen, and bedroom is clutter control. Clutter nags at you. It reminds you of all the little things you have not done. When you let clutter pile up it is impossible to have a home organizing sweet spot. The visible clutter shouts at you and creates clutter in your mind because you work to remember to tackle the clutter. Your home is not a peaceful refuge when you always feel like you should be doing something else.
The importance of home maintenance routines
The importance of home maintenance routines can not be overstated. When you have these routines, you prevent clutter from accumulating because you deal with it on a regular basis. This way your home can be as organized as you want it to be which maintains that home organizing sweet spot.
Sample morning routine
Let’s say that every morning while the coffee is brewing, you take 5 minutes and tidy the family room. You bring any dishes, glasses, or trash left over from the day before to the kitchen. After breakfast you do those dishes along with those from your breakfast. This is a simple way to do a little clutter control in those two rooms.
In your bedroom, hang up or put away any clothes you intend to wear again, put dirty clothes in a laundry basket, and make your bed. Your bedroom will be easier to maintain when you do these things regularly.
Sample evening routine
If you work at home, straighten your workspace. Consider making a note of where you left off in a project, so you know exactly where to begin the next time.
Look at your calendar and plan your next day. Make a note of any appointments, errands, and any tasks you want to do. Decide when during the day (after breakfast, before dinner) you will do them. Writing them down removes them from your mind which reduces mental clutter and helps you to relax.
Clean up after yourself while you are making dinner so that the kitchen stays relatively tidy. Wash your dinner dishes or put them in the dishwasher after dinner.
Schedule your regular on-going household chores
In addition to having morning and evening routines which help take care of small tasks it’s important to schedule regular on-going household chores.
Are you wondering how all this talk of chores and routines pertains to creating a home organizing sweet spot?
Planning when you will address regular household tasks like laundry, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, the kitchen, and more helps keep you as organized as you want to be. When you schedule these tasks things (like laundry) don’t pile up and become so overwhelming that you don’t want to do them.
I understand that regular household chores are not exciting and that it’s easy to put them off in favor of something more fun. The kicker, though, is the more often you do these chores the easier they are to do. When you keep things relatively clean and as clutter free as suits you it takes less time to tidy up. You will be able to relax, unwind, and be at peace in your home.
Conclusion
Take the time to make the list of things that bother you in your home. Create your home organizing sweet spot, so you can make your home the place you want to be. Use the Organize Your Home 10 minutes at a Time deck of cards as inspiration when you only have 10 minutes, and you want to get something in your home done. If you want an accountability partner, join the Clear Space for You virtual clutter support group I run with Jonda Beattie. If you’re not sure, contact me. I’m happy to talk with you and review your options if you’d like help making your home your place of refuge.
Diane N. Quintana is a Certified Professional Organizer® ,a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®, Master Trainer. Owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC and co-owner of Release●Repurpose●Reorganize, LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia.
This is a great way of putting it. Finding the sweet spot. Great suggestions.
I know exactly what you mean about that sweet spot; it’s the opposite of what you feel when you’re staying in someone’s home and it hasn’t been made “easy” for you, or when you’re in a hotel and you haven’t identified key spaces for all of your things. The lack of an organizing sweet spot in our own homes is the opposite — too much stuff and old, unworkable systems rather than a “visiting” space with no systems at all. I particularly love your accent on routines, because that’s the best way to not only get your space ideal for your needs, but keep it that way so you can feel serenity instead of chaos (or even just mild discomfort). You just can’t feel “at home” in your home without making these kinds of adjustments. Great points!
I love the idea of an Organizing Sweet Spot definition for your home. I always say that when people enter my home, I want them to be able to exhale and relax.
I love this idea of an organizing sweet spot. I think it differs from person to person, right? My husband has very different needs than I do. Translation: I get more easily irritated when things are out of order than he does.
To answer your question about what spot in my house is bothering me, I think at the moment I would say my garage. I’m itching for a good weather weekend, and a willing husband, to go through it all. In fact, I might start going at it by myself because when the weather is nice, he wants to golf, and when the weather is poor, he doesn’t want to be in the garage LOL!
Thanks for the ideas for morning and evening maintenance! And the term “sweet spot” makes me relax and go “ahhhh!”
Great advice, Diane! I totally agree! Having routines will keep your home organized and clean. It doesn’t need to be more than 15 minutes each day. The small tasks will empower one to schedule and do larger tasks, whether with a PO or family member or by themselves. Small routines count as completed tasks too!
I’m a big fan of lists. My home improvement list ranges from replacing light bulbs (low effort) to remodeling the bathroom (high effort). My “effort” designation can take into consideration time, money, and whether or not I can do it or will need help. Sometimes I leave significant items on the list (marked as completed) so I don’t forget to appreciate how they contributed to my sweet spot. And the importance of maintenance routines cannot be overstated! Thanks, Diane.
I love your idea of creating your “organizing sweet spot.” All of your suggestions and approaches to getting there are excellent. You reminded me of something that happened this week. I went away overnight. Before leaving, I spent a little time putting things back in their homes, emptying the trash, and doing a quick clean. When I returned home after a long drive, I felt calm and happy to have things clean and organized. I was able to unpack and then relax for the evening.