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From Chaos to Calm: Expert reveals the simple steps to a more organised life
Aaron Shovlar, storage expert at TITAN Containers
Most people have experienced the dreaded feeling of looking for an important document or item in their storage space and being unable to find what they are looking for.
And it turns out that having a disorganised space can be bad for your mental health too. One study found that clutter can lower feelings of well-being and happiness at home. It doesn’t just impact home life either, one recent survey revealed that 40 percent of people feel that a disorganised workspace makes them less productive.
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So whether you’re a business owner looking to store inventory and records, or just improving the organisation of your home, here are some top tips to consider when organising your space…
#1 The cleansing ritual of decluttering
The practice goes, if you don’t truly need it, use it very often or truly love it, then you must get rid of it. Decluttering the whole house in one go may be overwhelming, so start with a small room or section of the house to declutter. Once you have sorted all the items you want to keep and give away, it’ll be easier to make a start on the organisation.
While it can be difficult to get rid of things, embracing minimalism can improve your overall well-being. One celebrity, Emma Harrison revealed that she’s opted for a more minimalistic lifestyle by opting for a tiny home made from a shipping container.
#2 A spot for everything
The key to keeping a space organised to is have a home for every item. Whether it’s an important piece of mail or a new clothing item, ensuring that each item has a place to go is essential.
While it’s often easier to organise larger groups of things like clothing and cookware, keeping more random items organised can be challenging. Think of the ‘junk drawer’ found in most homes, often filled with a wide range of items like old charging cables, torches, unused keys and instruction manuals. Items like these often don’t have a natural home elsewhere. Spend extra time creating spaces for items like this so everything can be found easily when needed.
#3 Upcycle items for storage
Of course, it can be tempting to buy brand-new storage baskets and organisers to kick-start the organisation process, but this isn’t necessary. Make creative use of items you’ve already got at home to keep the costs of organising low.
Sturdy delivery packages, boxes and jars are ideal for upcycling and storing odd bits. Larger boxes can store odd household items like lightbulbs, plugs and cables. Old mobile phone boxes are typically made of sturdy cardboard and are ideal for storing memory cards, and batteries. Spare nails and screws or hair accessories can be stored in old jars to keep items together.
#4 Don’t put it down, put it away
This mantra is ideal for those who struggle to keep on top of clutter. It can be easy for items to get misplaced if they’re put down randomly.
Rather, make it a habit to put things back in their right spot as soon as you’re done with the item. Once you’ve created a space for everything, this process becomes much easier, as you don’t need to think about where to store new items.
#5 Keep items accessible
Creating a complex organising system is a sure-fire way for spaces to become disorganised. Rather sort items by how often they’re used. Commonly reached-for items should always be stored in easily accessible containers.
Placing items on high or hard-to-reach spots often means that they will be forgotten, which may contribute to more clutter in your space. Rather limit the amount of items tucked away in difficult-to-reach spots to seasonal decorations and mementos.
#6 Make use of hidden spaces
If storage options are limited, it can be difficult to find enough space for everything. In this case, make the most use of the space you do have by opting for under-bed storage, vertical storage on the backs of doors and recessed shelving in walls.
Spots like these are often forgotten about but are ideal for storing smaller items to keep the space organised.
For homes that are already making the most of all storage avenues, consider adding a garden room or office to your home. It turns out, that having a separate space for your work-from-home setup is ideal for your mental health too.
Aaron Shovlar, Storage Expert
