Making Room For You Since 1973

Portrait of lovely young mixed race woman smiling and looking at camera, sitting on sofa at home stock photo

Let’s Get Organized! 5 Practical Tips to Simplify Your Life


April 9, 2024 | Uncategorized

Even though the groundhog didn’t see his shadow in early 2024, spring has officially arrived. Your home might feel stuffy and cluttered after the long winter months. So, what better time than now to get organized and start the new season with a clean home. April 26th marks “Get Organized Day,” which serves as a reminder and an opportunity to declutter your belongings and establish efficient organizational systems in your home, workplace, and personal life.

Living in an organized home can help us reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve our overall well-being. To achieve this, decluttering and organizing our space is essential. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks to help you get started so you can worry less about the inside of your home and focus more on enjoying the great outdoors. 

Kick the Clutter

To begin, look around the living and storage spaces in your home, garage, and even your storage unit and find items that no longer serve a purpose. Start by identifying things pushed to the back of the closet, dusty, or tucked away in a drawer. It’s too easy to keep things we no longer use but think we might need someday. But maybe it’s time to bid farewell to these items and make space in your home so you spend less time organizing and decluttering in the future.

Kicking the clutter habit also involves adopting mindful practices to keep everything in its place. Experts suggest starting small, tackling one area at a time. Establish designated storage areas for everything. For instance, when you come home, your wallet or purse always goes in the same spot. This is true of anything you bring into your house; it needs a home, whether mail, grocery bags, or a pair of new shoes. Also, regularly reassess possessions and limit new acquisitions to save time and money. 

Garage Organization Made Easy

Gear is essential for outdoor activities, but when it’s disorganized, it can ruin the excitement of any adventure. To prevent this, start by gathering all your gear in one place and assess each item based on how often you use it and its seasonal relevance. This process will help you identify outdated equipment and duplicates. If you find gear that no longer serves a purpose, consider donating or selling it. When seasons change, swap your skiing gear for hiking gear in preparation for spring as winter ends. 

By organizing your gear and rotating it seasonally, you’ll always be ready for any outdoor activity, regardless of the weather. Once you’ve sorted through your outdoor items, consider turning your garage into a functional outdoor gear hub with strategic storage solutions. For example, you can install sturdy shelves to accommodate bulky items like camping gear, tents, and backpacks, while hooks provide convenient hanging space for bicycles, kayaks, and hiking gear. 

Utilize clear bins or labeled containers to categorize smaller gear like gloves, helmets, and other equipment by season. This will make it effortless to locate items when needed. 

Get Creative with Storage

If your garage is small and barely fits your car, consider renting a drive-up storage unit with roll-up doors. It’s better than a garage! You can customize a dedicated space with storage shelves and racks. Therefore, your outdoor gear is always ready for your next adventure. Inside your home are household items that can benefit from a climate-controlled storage unit. These include seasonal clothing like ski wear, coats, winter boots, or spring sandals. Whether you’re storing your seasonal clothing or wedding dress, climate-controlled storage helps to preserve delicate fabrics like wool and silk. It is also ideal for winter coats, summer dresses, and leather goods.

Consult with a Professional Organizer 

Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of organizing your home? You’re not alone. Consider hiring a local professional home organizer to help you out. A home organizer can bring numerous benefits to transform your messy home into an oasis of calm. They offer a fresh perspective and impartial guidance to declutter efficiently, making it easier to decide what to keep, donate, or discard. 

When looking for a professional home organizer, research individuals or companies with a proven track record in decluttering and organization. Look for qualifications such as certification from reputable organizations like the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). Assess their expertise in various areas, from optimizing storage solutions to creating functional living spaces tailored to your needs.

Kitchen Organization

To organize your kitchen, start by removing items you no longer use or that have reached the end of their lifespan. Group similar items, such as utensils, pots, and pans, to create designated zones. If you do not already have them, consider using drawer dividers and cabinet organizers to make the most of your cabinet space. Store frequently used items within arm’s reach, placing less used items, such as crockpots, rice cookers, and large roasting pans, in less accessible areas.

If your kitchen has an open wall, install shelves or hanging racks for added storage. Choose clear containers to keep dry goods like grains, pasta, and snacks visible. Remember to keep countertops clear by storing appliances you use daily and putting away items after each use. With a well-organized kitchen, cooking becomes more enjoyable and efficient.

In Summary

As Spring days get longer, there is a little more sunshine to embrace the opportunity to declutter your gear and home to prepare for summer fun. So whether you love to load up your surfboard and beach gear, rack up your bike for some mountain adventures, or load up your loved ones for a camping trip—taking the time to declutter your space (and life) will pave the way for more fun in the months ahead. 

Get Organized with Metro Self Storage

Moving, downsizing, or embarking on a decluttering journey? Metro Self Storage is here to help. Our friendly and professional storage teams are ready to help you find an efficient and affordable storage solution to meet your needs. Visit your local facility or call 888-466-3876 to learn more. If you already know what size you want, we make it easy to reserve your unit online.