This is a perfectly normal response to a big task.

I’ve been there too — when every room feels like too much, and you can’t even decide which pile to tackle first. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to clean your whole house today. You just have to start with 10 minutes.

I know, you’re thinking this sounds crazy, but I am here to say those first 10 minutes is the key to the rest of your house. Stick with me!

Why You Feel So Stuck

Your brain sees clutter as a never-ending to-do list. Every pile, every counter, every mess is screaming for attention — all at once. That’s exhausting (honestly, just typing that felt exhausting — so, that’s VALID). So you shut down. Your brain is protecting you.

Starting small helps you get out of that freeze mode. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s momentum.

And that timer is often the thing that helps me think — I can do 10 minutes. I can DO that.

I can’t do my whole house — but 10 minutes, that I can do!

The 10-Minute Start That Actually Works

Grab a timer and pick one of these:

• Clear off one kitchen counter.
• Pick up trash or laundry in one room.
• Gather every item that doesn’t belong in your living room.
• Load or unload the dishwasher.
• Wipe down your bathroom sink.

Set your timer, and do as much as you can in just 10 minutes.

Then stop.
You did something. You started.
And that’s everything.

Honestly, or don’t stop — you can make the choice if it’s starting to feel good. Maybe you want to do another 10 minutes, or just one small area. Don’t pull out your entire closet — but maybe your pants? You could maybe do a little bit more? But, your initial promise to yourself is just those 10 minutes!

Why This Matters

Once you move for 10 minutes, your brain starts to calm down. You’ll see small progress — and that gives you hope again.

That’s the same method I use inside The Organized Home — my simple step-by-step system that helps you go from chaos to calm without the pressure to do it all at once.

You’ll get a clear plan for every room, checklists that tell you exactly what to do next, and the mindset tools to help you stay consistent even on busy days.

If you’ve ever felt too overwhelmed to start, The Organized Home gives you the plan you’ve been missing.

Click here to start your Organized Home today.

One Step at a Time

Don’t wait for the perfect day. Don’t wait to “feel ready.”

I hear from far too many people who “don’t know where to start” – and want me to tell them that perfect process to get it done. But, I’m here to tell you….

Start with ten minutes.
Start with one counter.
Start with what you can.

And if you’re ready for someone to walk you through the rest — with grace, structure, and a system that actually fits your real life — join me inside The Organized Home.

You don’t have to do this alone anymore.
You just have to start.

Join The Organized Home →

The post When Your Mess Feels Too Big to Start: The first 10 minutes that changes everything appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Minimalist Isn’t In Your Nature

You may think that minimalists are BORN that way, but I’m here to say that most minimalists are not “made” that way. I sure am not.

Note: Every single child wants to get “more” or have things they don’t have. It clearly comes NATURAL to have things around us that we think we will need.

Which means that you too can declutter like a minimalist — by asking yourself a few things….

This can explode into you needing more of things everywhere you see, or you can tame those thoughts to remind it that there will always be enough and you’re fine with some very basic things. A lot of people call this an abundance mindset — and it’s one that you can work to create as well.

Confession Time: This doesn’t come naturally to me AT ALL. I have to constantly remind myself that I have what I need and I can get what I need when it becomes necessary. But, for many of us — this will be a constant mental fight.

Looking for more organizing info — be sure to check out these posts:

• 5 Reasons You HAVEN’T Started Organizing & How to Fix Them!
• Family-Tested Organizing Tips
• Clever Kitchen Storage: Smart solutions for smaller kitchens
• House Cleaning List {Printable}
• Dish Storage 101: Make Your Cabinets Hold More

SOME things are going to hold the highest value

Many of you might find that “everything” is important to you, but as you start to declutter you will realize that there will be things that are the “most” important. When you do, make a mental note.

The thing is, for everyone they’ll be different. For me, it would be cards and sentiment that important people in my past have written to me. Those take value over anything they have given me (that I don’t use), or reminds me of them.

This may be a mindset thing as well, because those things are fairly small, which also works in my personal values to fit the items I have in the space allotted. That’s something I’ve worked to GROW in myself — that I prefer to only have stuff that fits the space I have. I value that more than having piles of things.

This allows me to let go of things they had that aren’t as important to me personally, because I have those things that I think are the most important.

And yes, this also means I’m working to save every voicemail my dad has ever sent me….

This means that most things hold a lesser value

There have to be categories of items that are the MOST important, and then less important.

You have a home that can only hold a certain amount of things, so these designations will let you realize what can and can not be kept.

That isn’t to say that some things, like a can opener, will be kept because they serve a current function in your life — not because you “love” them (although it is awfully nice if they overlap).

People or Life over Things

Most minimalists have decided that people, or experiences, or just the very fact that their things aren’t encroaching on their lives as a high priority for them.

For everyone this will be different. I tend to put a lot of in a cabinet if I can get it to fit well (and still allow for easy take-out/put away). I don’t mind a small amount of Tetris as long as it isn’t too hard to put away the items.

But, if it takes forever to put something away, or my family just can’t do it the same way I can to make things fit, I need to have a new plan.

I hear a lot that a spouse or partner has more things than an apartment can hold. The sad news is that each person sort of has to become a “minimalist” on their own and we can only control ourselves.

Looking for more organizing info — be sure to check out these posts:

• Want Your House to STAY Organized? Follow these tips!
• 19 Easy Kitchen Organization Tips to Make Life Easier
• Three Things To Help you Declutter & Manage Your Home Easier
• Wrapping Paper Organization
• Maximizing Your Organizing Time – Get Help!

Questions to ask yourself to be a minimalist:

By engaging your brain into the process it may help you be more like a minimalist — here are a few good questions to ask.

When was the last time I used this?

Be VERY realistic when you’re decluttering items. Honestly answer when you last used it. You could also dive into:

• Did it do a good job in it’s intended purpose (if it’s clothes, did you feel good in it)?

Just because we use something doesn’t mean it works well. It also doesn’t mean we should replace it, but it’s important to be honest with what purpose that thing really holds, and is it fulfilling it?

Could I see me needing this in the next year?

This doesn’t mean that the only things we should be keeping are things we use frequently, but it should definitely hold a place.

For instance, I have a Christmas tree…. and it only gets used once a year, but it’s important to me.

However, I have a roasting pan that I use MAYBE every 3 years…. is that worth it to keep? That’s a valid question.

A good question to ask:

• How do I see myself using this in the next year?

If the answer isn’t clear, that’s a good indication that this isn’t a need — it’s filling a “might need” spot — and you can’t keep all the might needs around.

Could something I already have replace the job this does?

I think this happens a LOT with items in the kitchen. We buy something that takes up space, but it something that an instrument we already have could also do the job.

This happens a LOT with “cutters” — and I’m not here to say that all of those are useless, but if you’re looking to save room in your kitchen, it might be better to just use a knife.

You just have to decide if the time you’re saving by having the item makes up for the time you’ll have to use getting it out, putting it away and possibly taking up room that another tool could use and be more helpful.

These are all questions you have to really ask yourself — getting your brain engaged in the process! This class really helped me get my brain engaged into this process.

How hard would it be to get something similar to do the same job?

This is a smart question to ask. If the item is taking up space in your home, you rarely use it and it is easily replaceable — it might be smart to to let it go.

Remember, when items are in your home you’re paying “rent” for them to be there. They are taking up space something else could take up!

However, if it’s not as easily replaceable then that is something to consider.

Doesn’t mean you should keep it — but all of this is information is compiled to help you make a choice.

When I can easily buy the item at a big box store, it might be worth it to get rid of it (aka, a roasting pan — if I only use it once every few years, would it be smart to just get a disposable one should I need it?).

Would I buy this if I saw it in the store?

This is another one — sure, you already have the item — but if you saw it at the store, would you purchase it? Why?

We tend to put value on things we already have, vs getting it new. BUT, this can be good information to have as you choose to keep or give something away.

Getting your brain engaged in the task of organizing is one of the most important things I can do as I get into organizing. I love the things I learned in here that got me going, and I think you’ll find it so helpful as well!

So, how are YOU Going to change how you declutter? Tell us in the comments!

The post Declutter Like a Minimalist appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Don’t Know Where to Start

I hear this all. the. time. Hilary, I just don’t know where to start.

Go with me here… let’s pretend you pick a spot to start, and ultimately decide that wasn’t the best place to start…. will that really have “consequences”. Let me give you three options on where to start:

1⃣ If you have a family, I often like to pick a spot that is just mine that I know will stay organized — and will feel good. It reminds me that a good system works and will make a difference for my family.

2⃣ Pick somewhere that is just a mess, and making daily life hard. Something that REALLY needs doing. Follow my 5 word challenge as you make a change with it:

Right now, you’re probably thinking — Hilary — that is insane, why would I do a PROBLEM spot first? That seems overwhelming. The main reason is you’re going to see a benefit from it. Areas I’ve tackled that made me wanted to cry (but ultimately made a BIG difference in me and my family’s life:

• Lunch Snacks
• Medicine Cabinet
• Coat Closet (coats go in, but never seem to leave when we grow out of them)

Note: You’ll notice none of those areas are HUGE. I didn’t organize my entire pantry — I just did the lunch snacks, and it made a difference!

3⃣ Pick somewhere small. If you’re just still overwhelmed by making that choice just pick somewhere small. Be it a:

• Drawer
• A shelf, or even a portion of a shelf in your closet or kitchen
• Just one TYPE of clothes in your closet (aka just the shirts — or even just the SHORT SLEEVE shirts)

Just like working out you don’t want to overdo organizing, or it will hurt a lot, it will be hard to create systems that work and you won’t want to do it again.

When you start small it gives you small victories and you can attack it again the next day!

Looking for more household tips — be sure to check out these posts:

• Family-Tested Organizing Tips
• Clever Kitchen Storage: Smart solutions for smaller kitchens
• Dish Storage 101: Make Your Cabinets Hold More
• Want Your House to STAY Organized? Follow these tips!
• 19 Easy Kitchen Organization Tips to Make Life Easier

You Need The Right Containers

Oh man, I really feel like those Instagram organizers have fed this one to us a LOT. You have to remember they make money when they sell that family the organizers in addition to their fee to help organize — so, of course they’re going to want them to have all the fancy containers.

And I agree, they do look so pretty — but as I look at them I sometimes realize that there is literally ZERO chance my family would be able to use them right.

Or, honestly if they’re safe. There’s been a trend to “decant” your detergents that can lead to unsafe spaces for kids as those pretty containers aren’t safe for little ones!

Let me give you a few options:

Get a few dollar store containers — honestly, they’re very useable and handy! Start with those, and then if you find one that’s working but you’d like a different look you’re not out a bunch of cash from your first option.

Pull the things out, see what you need. See what height your items are and then quickly make a trip to a favorite organizing store (I share my favorite places to shop for organizing supplies in this podcast):

Now, the organizers of the internet will die when they read this, but I think it’s a good option:

Start with Amazon Boxes: I know you’ve had some packages come, and you likely have a few cardboard boxes lying around. Start with those. Similar to Dollar store items you can figure out what works (and what you’d like different) and then upgrade when you’re ready.

I actually used an Amazon box to organize my makeup and never went back!

I try to keep a small variety of these types of boxes on hand in my garage (but don’t overdo it). Don’t overdo it though, those boxes can take over your house!

And while we’re here — getting in a good cleaning routine can help a ton too:

You’re Busy

You may be telling yourself that you’re just too busy to organize your home.

And I am here to tell you that you’re too busy to NOT organize your home.

Organizing doesn’t need to take full days. One of my favorite things is to pick a small spot (I’m talking small here — one drawer, one category, etc) and set a timer for how long I have to pull everything out and sort it, and then set that timer again to put it away.

The timer helps me to make decisions quickly. Too often we labor over decisions that just aren’t worth our time. You can always keep a “maybe” pile where you’re deciding on those items.

Pro Tip: I have a maybe drawer in my closet for clothes I’m just not sure if I’m done with or not — if I check back and I’ve missed those items (and they fit) I bring them back into the rotation

What DOES take a lot of time is….

• Putting things away when things don’t have a designated spot
• Trying to find lost items that didn’t have a home and now you really need (looking at you library books and passports)
• Pulling things out to find what you need and then putting everything back in an area that’s just too full

THAT is keeping you busy. Taking 30 minutes to organize a spot before you flop on the couch for your Netflix time will feel so rewarding, and will start to make your life less busy and honestly, more enjoyable.

Now, if you’re sitting there thinking — easy for you to say, Hilary — want to come help me? Honestly, I do — I can — I can be your organizing buddy (and it costs less than you think)!

You’re Pregnant & Tired

Ok, my pregnant friend (and I have a lot of you since I’m also The Pregnancy Nurse®) I get this. There truly are days that you’re just not feeling up to organizing. I want to acknowledge that. However, you may have days that you feel wildly zesty and really want to make a change.

Take advantage of those days (especially nesting pregnant mammas).

I know it’s not just the pregnant peeps who have this issue. You may have recently had surgery, or have a long term illness that is preventing you from doing everything you’d like to do.

But you will have days that you feel better — and when you do, start small. Make a change and promise yourself to do it again on your next good day!

You’re Overwhelmed

Ok, so it mostly all boils down to this one.

I honestly think a lot of the excuses above are really just the overwhelm.

Which I entirely get.

I recently re-did my sewing cabinet and I’d pulled out all the thread and notions and when the new cabinet was in place I just wanted to burn it ALL DOWN instead of put it back.

But you know what I did instead? Following those 5-word organizing principles I:

• Sorted things into “like” categories
• Got a few dollar tree bins for the drawers so I could contain those categories
• and I made it work.

Was it perfect? No. Did it need to be? Also, no — because everyone knows my sewing is ALSO not perfect (far from it).

Overwhelm is normal. Honestly, just ignoring it can also be very normal, which is how we get shows like hoarders.

However, you can make a change. When I learned the principles in The Organized Home it changed everything for me.

I was able to declutter faster
I was able to know how I wanted to use a space (so my brain was engaged in the process from the start)
I created systems that actually worked and made my life easier.

If you’re tired of feeling like your house controls you rather than the other way around I would 100% recommend joining. I think you’ll enjoy the changes you’re making!

The post 5 Reasons You HAVEN’T Started Organizing & How to Fix Them! appeared first on Pulling Curls.

BTW, want to know more about baby-proofing and safety around the home << check out that podcast episode, so helpful!

Clean It First

Before we get started, just the day to day cleaning is one of the most important things you can do. AND a lot of that is about getting kids to help out more (age-appropriate, obviously). Grab my printable house cleaning checklists to help your kids know what needs to be done in each room and surpass your expectations each time!

And if you’d like to get on a cleaning schedule — grab mine here:

The Right Stuff

One of the keys to rooms functioning well in a family is having the right things in each room. In this post you learn 3 things that you should have to help you declutter and manage your home easier.

Looking to MAXIMIZE the small amount of time that you have to organize << that post has some great tips too!

Counter Clutter

I find that as soon as I start to get some clutter in an area my family immediately thinks that’s where we store all the crap now. Anyone else? Just me.

Working to REALLY clear our counters of stuff has made my kids realize that’s not the spot for their junk. I have a post on 3 weird things I use to clear counter clutter.

Looking for more organizing tips — be sure to check out these posts:

• 5 Things for Easier Organizing
• Decluttering Beauty Supplies with McKenzie Guymon from Girl Loves Glam
• Mistakes You Make When Organizing
• Why Organizing Is Hard
• Motivation to Clean: Find it and use it to clear the mess

Make Cabinets Useable for All

As adults we can lift more, we can reach more and we just tend to be a bit more careful. But, when you stuff a lot of stuff in your cabinets it can make it tricky for kids. I have a post with some tips for easy cabinet organization that will allow them to both set the table and empty the dishwasher a little easier.

I also think “zoning” an area to give kids a general idea where dishes, or pots/pans or baking items go.

I Can’t Put This Away…

If I had a Nickle for every time my kid told me they didn’t know where something that was clean went – I’d be rich. Pots and pants were really tough for my smaller kids to put away, until I learned to store them better. Kids could easily put them away now, and self-sufficiency is something we DEFINITELY aim for.

Looking for more kitchen organizing tips — be sure to check out these posts:

• Clever Kitchen Storage: Smart solutions for smaller kitchens
• 19 Easy Kitchen Organization Tips to Make Life Easier
• 3 Kitchen Sink Hacks You Need
• Zoning Your Kitchen
• How to Clean Your Kitchen: Cleaning in Circles

Clothes!

Kid’s clothes are so hard. Seems like you turn around and suddenly pants that fit yesterday are only falling to their calf. I always tried to make sure that we had clothes in the upcoming sizes, but also an easy system to get rid of what wasn’t fitting anymore (or pack away for the next kid).

Clothes can be an issue for adults and kids >> check out my post with easy ideas to organize your closet.

I have a post on some good tips on getting your kid’s wardrobe ready for school. OR if you’ve got little ones — I have some awesome baby closet organization tips.

I think it’s important to be honest that it’s not always having the family that’s keeping us disorganized. I have whole post on decluttering shoes you ight find helpful.

Toys

Having kids manage their own clutter (like toys) is a BIG win. Not only are you teaching them to be self-sufficient, it sometimes weeds out what’s getting used, and what is not. Check out my post on playroom organization.

I also have some great tips for organizing games.

As I’m editing this post I realize that there are SO many places that families just organize different — and you may just be thinking WHERE DO I START?

I often ask myself that, and I’d spiral into an inability to get started at all — until I found this.

It splits spaces into their own spots. It helps me get my head around what I want a space to be used for, declutter it, and then create a system that actually WORKS for my FAMILY.

I’ve also started to realize that my fantasy of having a professional organizer come to my home would also be a lot of work — so, I just need to get started! I think this will help you do that too!

Laundry

I am so grateful for my washing machine, but I also find it to be a tricky room to organize to use effectively. I have a whole on organizing your laundry room to make it both safe and easy to use!

It can be really tempting to think that you just need more stuff to organize your home better (hello Container Store) — but I have often used Amazon boxes to make very effective organization items.

Food!

When your kids get old enough to take things from the pantry on their own — I have found that I need to go through it every now and then to restock the basics.

I was mostly left over-buying things we didn’t use as much, and somehow out of the things we really needed — my pantry inventory spreadsheet helped that a lot!

Got an older one with a messy locker at school? While that really isn’t “your problem” I do have some locker organization tips.

Family Calendar

As a mom — I love having a paper planner that’s jut for ME — to put my priorities, needs (and sometimes just hopes) in — but I also need to use a digital calendar that everyone can add events to — I have a post on how I use a paper planner along with a digital planner to make it easy for a family.

I have found that I REALLY like the paper aspect of my planner — it’s something I do JUST for myself. It’s off-limits for my kids, and that’s been nice to have a small bit of peace in our family storm.

Emergency Organization

I’m not saying the clutter is particularly an emergency — but what about storing medicine? A well-organized medicine cabinet can really help all of you when the chips are down — and I have a post on how to organize your medicine (even if you don’t have or use a medicine cabinet for it).

And, while we’re here talking about emergency organization — be sure to check out my post on easy steps you can start organizing your estate planning.

The Randomness of it All

I think one of the hardest parts of organizing a home with kids is all the random things you need to organize, and how difficult it can be to get an ideas to use the space you have.

I have a post where I shared some of my favorite organization projects around our house.

That honestly is just a starter pack to all the systems you’ll see at work in The Organized Home. If you’re thinking, I just need a little help — that’s the class for you. Join for just a month or a lifetime, whatever fits your budget… and I think you’ll be organizing like a pro in no time!

What is YOUR hardest place to organize as a family? Tell us in the comments!

The post Family-Tested Organizing Tips appeared first on Pulling Curls.

A note on organization for a small kitchen:

I had a very small kitchen when my kids were small. I knew that I had to use every square inch that kitchen offered (and the space above the cabinets). However, in some of the ways that I stored things I made cooking dinner so hard I wish I had found another spot for less-used items, and had used some of the space I did have more effectively.

It’s always a balance — but I don’t want you to be miserable trying to use the things you need (especially as you cook — that can be unsafe), at the expense of “having more”.

If you’re thinking maybe you could declutter a little — come join me for my free 5 word organization challenge. In just five small words you’ll be feeling more competent as you declutter!

Note: I wish I could show images for these clever options — but there is a pretty strict copyright on the images that companies put out, I don’t want to get in trouble — so I do just put the links in here. Hope you still find that helpful. You can see some of the options in the image above.

Ok, onto some great ways to store things in the kitchen:

Extra Shelf / Drawer

This is one of my favorite cabinet hacks (awesome for pantries too).

You’re going to take a shelf like this one, and then put a bin below it that you can pull-out like a drawer.

Pro Tips:

• Be SURE to measure the depth of your shelf as you don’t want a shelf too deep to fit the cabinet (and some kitchen cabinet areas/pantries are pretty shallow).
• Decide if you could just use the shelf space below easily, or if there are some things you’d like to group together in a bin like a drawer below the shelf.

As I was looking for this shelf I saw some other cool options:

• I liked how this can stack (and they look very sturdy).
• I like how this one can expand (but I don’t love the “legs” coming up higher than the shelf, I sometimes let things “hang off the shelf” a bit — and it’s still stable. However, that can also be helpful if you want to keep things ON the shelf!
• I liked how sturdy this one looked — seemed like a great option for garages too!

Great places to use this:

I use shelves like this for casserole dish stacking — rather than piling them all into one dish, I can use these shelves to keep them easier to manage.

AWESOME for pantry items. On a sturdy shelf like this I keep sauce on the shelf, and stack the pasta below it.

Awesome for snacks for kids — you can put stacks of items on top, and then a pull-out bin below with granola bars or applesauce pouches. Makes it easy for kids to grab what they need, but still allow the space to be what it is.

Pro Tip: If a box from the store will fit below the shelf, don’t feel like you need a bin. I often “break the rules” and use boxes from Costco below shelves like this. Works just fine and I personally find it easier and more environmentally friendly.

Under Shelf Storage

I was hesitant to use these for a long time — I guess I thought they wouldn’t be sturdy enough, but boy-oh-boy have they come in clutch.

Pro Tip: Think about what you want to store there. Some of the cheaper ones are kind of flimsy, but can still be really useable if you’re not looking to store something heavy.

• This one looks VERY sturdy, and I like how it can be expanded!
• These look great for shallow shelving.

Great places to use this:

These come in perfect in areas where you just have a few inches that you could use. For me, they’ve come in best in pantry shelves. I have one that I use to store tiny cans (like sliced olives and peppers) — they can easily get lost on regular shelves, so it’s a great option.

We also use one for some smaller condiment storage in our pantry. Since they’re backstock (and sealed) I feel safe putting them in laying flat. I also use them to hold bags of dried fruit and other snacks in my pantry.

I’ve also seen people use this system for paper plates among their regular plates. Those can be hard to figure out a spot for — so I think that’s smart!

Lazy Susan’s: Easy doesn’t mean LAZY

Ok, while lazy susans built into corner cabinets can be so helpful, I’m talking about using them on kitchen cabinets. Ones like this.

This would be the spot where Hilary with the very tiny kitchen would peace-out from this post. I will say that this is not (by any means) the most strategic way to put more in a cabinet. If you absolutely need to use every square inch of a cabinet — I see you, and you may want to skip this one.

BUT if you think some more usability might be more helpful — let’s talk.

I use lazy susans with my staples. Things like: Peanut Butter, baking soda, baking powder, honey, etc.

These items are reached for frequently, and are a pain if they only fit in one specific spot, etc — being able to spin the lazy susan and grab what we need makes it SO much easier!

Pro Tips: Make sure to get one that fits your cabinet well — I mean, check the depth and get one that fills that. No reason to have a lazy susan that doesn’t fill as much space as possible.

I liked how this one was two-tier (and very sturdy).

I do NOT like these with dividers — I think kitchens are changing storage needs to frequently, although I did see these bins that might be handy on a section of a large one.

It can be really easy to think that your problems can be fixed by a bin or even a lazy susan — but you need to think what your actual issue is and the decide how to fix it. If you’re not sure what your issue is — I’d recommend this. It helps think through your storage needs first!

Great places to use a lazy susan:

I am not, under any circumstances saying that this works everywhere.

Like I said above I use this in my “staples” cabinet that I use a lot for baking. I have two of them, although probably only one is necessary (but they seem to be sold in multiples frequently).

The one I love the most holds baking powder, cocoa, baking soda, cornstarch. Smaller boxes, I reach for frequently, that can get VERY annoying in a cabinet.

I also actually use one in my fridge. Which again — seems like a WILD waste of space, but we have a TON of condiments/bottles we don’t use all that often, but they’re expensive and we want to be able to grab them when we need them. I love it — it keeps it VERY handy and I’m glad we have it. I also think these are cool that fit a more rectangular space (I just haven’t used them myself).

In the fridge I prefer one with a higher edge, but in my cabinets I like just a small lip in case I have something that doesn’t “quite” fit I can still shove it on.

Other Option for Small Kitchens: If you’re thinking I love that idea, but I have no space to waste with a lazy susan — a bin that can hold these items could work similarly as well. Just keep in mind that bins can also waste space. One of my most important things is to pick one with square sides, so you’re not wasting any space with rounded edges.

Stackers

I have three “stackers” in my kitchen that have been game changers for:

• Easier dishwasher emptying (especially for kids)
• Better storage for non-stick pans (so they don’t get scratched
• Easier table-setting

These are often used in places that we could just stack the items (think, teacup plates on top of dinner plates) but it’s hard and can be EXTRA hard for kids.

I use one like this with my dishes (I have two of them to hold plates, and bowls).

I use a pan stacker in my corner cabinet and it has made storage there SO much better!

Make sure to measure what you exactly need (like, how big are your plates, etc) and how tall of an area you have to put it. I like to get one that fills the cabinet shelf pretty well, it makes it less-tippy. Our pan one is wedge in well and that makes it really easy to put pans in and get them out without it moving

Looking for more kitchen cabinet hacks? — be sure to check out these posts:

• Dish Storage 101: Make Your Cabinets Hold More
• 5 Tips for Easy Kitchen Cabinet Organization
• How to Organize Corner Cabinets
• Medicine Storage Ideas: Even without a medicine cabinet
• 19 Easy Kitchen Organization Tips to Make Life Easier

Separators

Again — these don’t work quite as well when you need to use every square inch — but hear me out, I actually find that separators have allowed me to store MORE!

Now, these come in a variety of methods:

Drawer separators can be awesome to place things in categories to put away/grab easily.

Shelf dividers like these can allow you to stack more within that area (think water bottles stored horizontally) without them rolling all around. I actually use some on a wire shelf that allows me to hold backstock of zip locks and foil or saran wrap each in their own spot — I LOVE them and they HAVE allowed me to store MORE and more effectively.

Something like this can also help you hold things like baking tins or cutting boards without them all falling over and taking up ALL The space. Love how that one is adjustable too!

I also use a separator to hold my pan lids. I needed them to be vertical due to a wonky corner cupboard. I love how expandable and customizable that one is! Awesome for renters who might need to use it in a different spot if they move.

Don’t feel like Amazon or a big box store is your only option to find a lot of these. Things like separators can often be found at Goodwill. I’ve also used office-type letter or file separators to separate things like this as well. You’re just looking for something that works. I’ve even used old dish drainers for separators when I had very little cash to use, but lots of needs.

Where to Start?

Maybe you fall in the “overwhelmed” camp where you’re feeling like all of these are great ideas — but you’re not sure where to start.

First off, I want to remind you that this is just your brain in overwhelm. You know that there isn’t a “right” place to start — and just getting going is the key. However, overwhelm is real. I often feel it too.

Then, I learned the methods in here. In The Organized Home you can:

• Get your head wrapped around how you want to use an area
• Declutter it with a buddy reminding you to just keep what can fit or what you need
• Create systems that make life easier

Thousands have been in that course and loved it. I mostly love how you can just use it for a month, and then you’re free to organize again (knowing it’s there to help you out if you need it).

Organizing can feel VERY lonesome — but it doesn’t have to. You can get help at a great price!

Do YOU have any clever storage ideas you think I missed? Tell me in the comments!

The post Clever Kitchen Storage: Smart solutions for smaller kitchens appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Close your eyes. You are entering a room filled with chaos. It might be your kitchen after a big meal (possibly created by your children), or it’s a family room filled with toys and debris. You know what I’m talking about.  It’s that feeling.  The feeling of your skin crawling and not bearing to look.  You just don’t know how to start.  Where to start?  How do you feel?  Is your skin crawling at the very thought of it?  Thinking about laying in the corner sucking your thumb?

I am.

A room filled with chaos makes me want to cry.

But checklists are doable.  They’re often my BEST friend when I feel overwhelmed.

That is why I created my weekly cleaning schedule.  It supports my ability to take small steps towards non-chaos.  I cling to it and it allows me to move through my home and my life peacefully.

In thinking about it — I started to really wanted a house cleaning list.  Small checklists that allow me to take small chunks of a big job.

House Cleaning List: The Benefits

• It takes large tasks into small, doable chunks.  Only have time for one checkmark — do it, and then come back!
• They are awesome if you have kids, that way they don’t have to read your mind about what needs to be done.
• If you keep up on the list, it makes each day a little more doable.
• Available — it’s RIGHT there.  Put it in a cupboard so you can just go to it when you feel overwhelmed.

Want more house cleaning tips, check out these posts:

• Smelly Fridge – Here’s the Easy Ways to Clean It
• How to Clean Tile Floors
• I love cleaning {I know, I’m Crazy}: Six things to like about cleaning
• Splitting Household Chores in Marriage
• Why I Don’t Have a Cleaning Lady

Doable Chunks

I’ve created these awesome house cleaning lists that allow you to have a generic checklist to customize for yourself.  The reality is many rooms you’re just going top to bottom and making sure it’s done.  Most rooms are going to follow the checklists I’ve created.  There’s specific ones for bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathrooms.

Kids

Having this list makes your expectations clear to kids.   That way they are able to go down the checklist, get the items done and then get on with the work of being a kid.  Instead of you checking 12 times with your expectations never being met.

BTW, want tips to getting your kids to help out more — be sure to check out this course:

Keep Up

By doing this list each time, I feel like it’s easier every time.  It’s like magic.

Right There

I like to put these behind a cupboard door, I would print them at a smaller size (or maybe print 4 to a page) and just have them there.  You could also laminate it or put it in a sheet protector.  That way you can use a dry erase to actually check it off.

Anyway — those are the awesome benefits of a house cleaning list.

And now it’s time to go get it.  Get the small chunks, right there, easy to keep up and a great way to help your kids become responsible individuals.

Just sign up below and get them straight to your inbox!

The post House Cleaning List {Printable} appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Before we get started — decluttering your dish pile (LOOKING AT YOU MUGS) is SO important to this process. Be sure to join my totally free 5-word challenge to declutter easily at your house:

Ok, onto the dishes!

Dish Stackers

I know a lot of organizers out there will encourage you to make extra shelves at somewhere like Home depot to give you more shelf space.

First off, those can be expensive (and frankly, I’m not even sure what to buy for something like this) — but also, I need some spots in my cupboard to be tall, while some need to be thinner — and in, walks the dish stacker. I found mine at Walmart, but you can also find them here.

Now, we’re going to talk more about extra shelves in general — but what I love about this is that it’s specifically for these ROUND objects — plates (of all sizes), bowls, etc. I have this to the side of my very tiny cupboard, and then I stack cups next to it — it works really well! You can see it in this post about zoning your kitchen.

Extra Shelves

Here is the moment when some of you guys are going to say — but Hilary, I can stack my plates, and then salad plates, and then teacup plates and then bowls all on top of each other.

Yes, you 100% can.

But, it’s SO hard to get out a specific dish with that, and it’s almost going to be entirely impossible for your kids to empty the dishwasher if you have that set-up.

BTW, wishing your kids did more (boy oh boy, was that me until I implemented the things in here) — check out Family Routines.

You can find extra shelves in lots of sizes. I would encourage you to find them that are pretty sturdy. Some have a pretty small weight limit and will bend which isn’t a safe situation when we’re talking about a family’s cupboards.

I’ve tended to get my shelves at Costco, HomeGoods, Ross or Walmart — but you can also find some great ones here.

The dollar tree sells them, but they are NOT sturdy. They have worked OK in my pantry where I’m just storing a basket of snacks on top, but they can’t be used for anything moderately heavy.

Beyond the study-ness of the shelf it’s good to take some measurements:

1. What do you want to store underneath? I it’s casserole pans make sure that it can fit below the shelf
2. What is the depth of your shelves? Some shelves are really shallow, so be sure that the shelf fits the width. Remember, items can hang off the front/back of the shelf a little bit — as long as they feel secure and you can shut the door.

I LOVE to use these as a shelf, and then use a basket or bin underneath like a drawer when I use them in my pantry — but that works less good when you’re working with dishes (might be good for tupperware lids though)

Hey, if you’re loving ideas that are sort of “out of the norm” I’d recommend checking out The Organized Home. It’s created to easily help you:

• Declutter
• Understand how you want to use the area
• Create a system that allows you to use the area easily.

I love that there’s just a monthly option where you can jump in just for a month (at a great price) and then use those systems to make your house more useable!

Size Matters

One of the smarter things we did to hold more dishes was to get thinner plates.

We had a lot of random plate sets for our wedding, but we moved mid-life and got rid of all of those, and decided to buy Corelle dishes. They are SO MUCH THINNER. This honestly has a lot of benefits I hadn’t considered prior to getting them:

• They clean better in the dishwasher because there’s more room for the water to move
• Less room in the cabinets
• Easier for kids to set the table because they’re not as heavy.

I’ve built-up my set of Corelle over time by adding some pieces I found at Goodwill — but you can also find them at Walmart or at Amazon.

The other good news is how easy it is to add onto your sets. Mine don’t exactly all match, but they are all the same size — which is awesome for storage.

And no, they honestly don’t seem to be any stronger than other plates. Part of why I’ve had to buy some at Goodwill is because when my kids (or me) drop them on the tile floor, they do break. But, so do other dishes — so, it is what it is.

The Under Shelf

While we’re here talking about extra shelves, I often see people who have just a few inches of space above their items in their cabinet — which can feel hard to use.

In comes, the under shelf. And yes — you can find them at Walmart or Amazon.

Pro Tip: I REALLY like this expandable option for larger cabinets (fits the space you have).

A few things to keep in mind:

Be mindful of any weight limit. I tend to use these for smaller items (great for things like tiny bowls for dips or saucers).

These CAN be a little bit tippy (there is some space in the area it clips into your shelf).

It’s important to think about how your whole family is going to use the shelves when you create a system. That’s why I love the tested systems in here.

Lower Shelves: Pull-Out Organizer

Sometimes you only have lower shelves in order to store your dishes.

These pull-out dish organizers can be a great option. The dishes store vertically and make it much easier to pull what you need out, and put it away.

OR if you have drawers, you can always use a dish organizer if you have a deeper drawer.

With those you have to figure out if you’re willing/ok to put screws into your shelving. There are some that don’t require screws, but that makes me nervous, especially if you have kids pulling stuff out.

I LOVE storing things vertically, and it’s something I always forget about. Obviously, dishes that are so breakable need a contraption to allow you do this.

The good news is that these products aren’t that expensive and can make your kitchen SO much more useable. When we initially moved into our house we didn’t have any extra shelves and we had SO much just stacked in that cabinet.

Once we got the extra shelves, for like $20 it made a HUGE difference!

Do you have any other ideas about how you store dishes at YOUR house? Tell us in the comments. When we have something that works we gotta share it with others!

The post Dish Storage 101: Make Your Cabinets Hold More appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Before we get going, the reality is that this is OFTEN because we have too much stuff in the space, and decluttering is the key — but I wanted to give you more tips than just that. BUT, if you think LESS would make it MORE easy — join my totally free 5 word organization challenge:

Teach The Household

Way back in the day, when my kids were little I followed some influencer who would “certify” her kids in a job. So, like how to clean the toilet — they’d watch her do it, and then they’d do it while she watched and gave tips — and when they felt ready they could “certify” and be “passed-off” on that skill. They were then ready to be a toilet cleaner.

I honestly thought it was a genius idea, but I was at a point in my life where I wasn’t able to implement that as well as I wanted to.

However, if you organize an area, I really think it’s smart to gather the people who live in the house, and use that area to show them how you planned for them to use it.

Maybe show them the labels (it’s crazy how often people ignore labels, but I think if you point them out it will help). Go through what goes where and make sure everyone’s on the same page.

Especially with your family, I think it can be smart to mention what is NOT going there any more. For instance I re-arranged our linen closet and I had towels on the bottom and only the ones that would fit there, the rest should go under their sinks — and explaining that helped

Remember, as nice as it would be for your family to read your mind, they’re really not great at that — so, while there might be some eye rolls it may make your system actually work!

I actually have some cleaning checklist printables that also teach your kids (or you) everything that needs to happen in a room, that you might find helpful:

Pretty vs Workable

Now is the time to ask yourself if you created something pretty — or if you created something that works.

There are a lot of people online who create a lot of pretty things.

They decant, they buy matching organizers (often with giant holes that I think my family would be able to have something dangle out of).

They empty all their boxes from Costco as soon as they come home.

Maybe that’s you — but for me, it’s WAY easier to just plop in the new box, and open it when we’re out of the current box.

This isn’t to say that pretty can’t be your goal. You just have to realize that pretty systems usually don’t hold as much, aren’t quite as easy to maintain… however, I do have some “pretty” stuff in our living room that works (mostly because it’s a closed bin no one can see into without opening it.

Want more organization systems that WORK — check out these posts:

• Wrapping Paper Organization
• 3 Weird Things to Clear Counter Clutter
• 5 Tips for Easy Kitchen Cabinet Organization
• The 4 Best Ways to Store Pots and Pans
• Playroom Organization Ideas: Toy storage hacks in small spaces

Better Organizers

You may have tried to make something work that just isn’t quite right.

For a long time I tried to just use amazon boxes as much as I could because I had them on hand and pennies were very tight. however, sometimes they just weren’t the right size, or were starting to fall apart, or just weren’t the right product for the area.

The good news about that, I knew a box would work, so I could head to the store with some basic measurements and find an item to replace that.

OR, for a long time I tried to use shelves to organize (even adding extra ones like these) when in reality drawers was much more helpful. So, I got something like this.

Be CAREFUL to blame it immediately on the product. Often we think that buying something else will fix an area (hello to the very profitable Container store!). However, having the RIGHT products, with the right system (and an amount that actually fits there) WILL fix an area.

For a long time I thought my issue was this, but when I applied the principles in here I realized that:

• I wasn’t clear on how I wanted that area to function
• I had more in that area than it could actually hold
• I was trying to apply a system that worked somewhere else, but would NOT work here.

I love that now I’ve applied those principles I….

• Can relax on the couch with my netflix more, instead of constantly feeling like I should organize my house
• Sleep better because I don’t feel like my stuff is creeping in on me.
• Don’t spend HOURS looking for important things, because I made them a spot (hello, car keys).

If you identify with any of those, I’d totally check it out!

Be the Example

Sometimes we think our family will just do the things, but often we have to be the example. WE have to consistently make sure that we are doing all we can to make the system work.

This may mean bringing someone to the spot to remind them how the system works and how easily they can put something away rather than just leaving it out.

And yes, it does mean we need to use the system instead of leaving our own stuff out.

I also like to say “gosh, I love how clean this front entry is when we all put our bags in the closet” real loud — so my family gets the hint. But they know I’m ALSO doing all I can to make sure it’s working.

A moment to talk about expectations – often we have the idea of a pretty system that doesn’t have any rough edges, and if you live in a home with other humans you’re likely to find that many areas are going to have rough edges. Bottles won’t be perfectly aligned, sheets won’t be folded perfectly, but it works. Pick your battles.

Every Area Needs Maintenance

Sometimes we expect a system to work well forever — and again, if you live in a home with other humans systems take maintenance. Maybe something got in there that doesn’t belong, or something broke.

Remember even GREAT systems require maintenance. Once I have systems going I try to rotate through my house, so every area gets maintained.

AND some areas just get junked up easier than other areas. My fridge systems have to be maintained weekly. I have to pull out gross food, and toss it, I have to make things are in the right areas. When I do it frequently it isn’t hard, but it’s just part of fridges.

So, just be mindful that areas that get a lot of use have to be maintained more frequently. For us that includes:

• Medications — because people already aren’t feeling well when they’re grabbing it
• Anything to do with lunches — because my kids are always in a rush in the mornings
• Bathroom/Beauty items — because I am bad at throwing things away that aren’t working, and I like to try new hair products (hello, my site is Pulling CURLS)

For you, it might be different, but that’s what came to the top of my curly head.

If you’re at a point in your life where you feel like you need systems for LOTS of areas in your home, I’d recommend joining The Organized Home. In each area it’s going to:

• Decide how you want it to function
• Declutter so you’re organizing what you need or love
• Create systems that work

I think you’ll just love it!

Not sure you’re quite ready for the full course. Come join me in the totally free 5-word organization challenge!

The post Want Your House to STAY Organized? Follow these tips! appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Want to jump to a specific topic:

• Kitchen Cabinets
• Kitchen Sink Organization
• Easy Kitchen Cleaning
• Zone your Kitchen to Organize
• Hacks to Organize
• Clear the counter clutter

Before we get started kitchens area a LOT about cleaning. Organizing helps it a lot, but you still gotta clean this important room — grab my cleaning schedule:

Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets can be TRICKY. Some of them are deep, in the corners or just hard to figure out. I give some of my best tips in this article.

Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink may be the main workhorse in the kitchen, but is often ignored.

There are a few things to keep near your sink that make it SO much easier to manage which I share in this post on Kitchen sink organization.

And, because that article was so helpful I added some more tips on this post on what to do to make your sink more useable!

Kitchen Cleaning

Because of what we DO in our kitchen, I often walk into it and think about burning it down more than I think about cleaning it — it’s tricky! In this article I share what I do to not get overwhelmed by it (because at least for me, that happens SO easily!).

Kitchen Zoning

Creating zones in your kitchen is one of the smartest things you can do. It allows you to easily have a spot where everything goes. It makes cooking and clean-up easier. Don’t miss that article.

Organizing Hacks

Every area in your kitchen is so different, and they’re different than my kitchen — but there are specific things you can do to hack the space you do have!

Counter Clutter

Cluttered counters can make every job about 500 times harder. If you make the effort to clear the useable space on your counters it is going to make kitchen time a lot easier. I have 3 hacks to clean them up!

I gotta say that organizing my kitchen has often been a monkey on my back. Trying to figure out what would work in MY kitchen (vs some fancy designer kitchen) has often left my stumped.

Then I found the principles in The Organized Home. It really is possible to find solutions that can fit YOUR space, and don’t cost a ton of money. In that course you’ll get help:

• Decluttering down to what really will fit
• Getting your head on straight about how you want to use a space
• Find organization systems that can work in YOUR house.

The post 19 Easy Kitchen Organization Tips to Make Life Easier appeared first on Pulling Curls.

How can bringing THINGS into your house make for less clutter? — It’s a good question.  BUT, when rooms are well stocked with the right items, it makes it easier to keep them tidy.

Today I want to talk about 3 things to have in each room of your house to help it be more functional.

Really quick, if you’re looking to make managing your house and decluttering easier, don’t miss my 5 word organization challenge. It’s going to make that ALL easier!

3 Things to help your home be easier to declutter and manage:

Pen cup/container

This gives you a place to put all those pens that you know you’ll need but don’t want cluttering your space.  I honestly have a pen cup in probably every bedroom, each room (except the living room, because I don’t want to encourage my kids to write on my couch).  Makes it easy to put those away, and I know you have a bunch of coffee mugs you don’t use – put them to good use!

Garbage

When ever I go to visit someone and I can’t find the garbage I feel like they’re just asking me to litter.  Just like Disneyland, if you don’t want the trash cluttering your “park” make sure that there is a trash can within good reach from most rooms. Also, don’t get the tiniest garbage can they have — get a good sized one, bonus points if the edges aren’t too slanted — takes up less room that way.

Kleenex

Ok, in some ways they may add more clutter (which is why you NEED a garbage can in rooms)… but this is super necessary. We have a box in every room.

Instead of my kids using their sleeve (or even worse, my sleeve) I try to keep a Kleenex box in each room.  It helps keeps germs at bay!  Any more there are so many cute boxes, it’s easy to find one to match your fancier rooms (if you’re into that, which I am not).

Bonus Items Added in 2024

A bin for blankets in the living room.

My kids love to huddle under a blanket when they’re watching TV.  I don’t even mind if they just throw it in there (I just want it off the couch or floor).

Hampers.

I have one in each kid’s room.  In fact, my boys each have their own (because they no longer wanted to share their laundry duties).  I know some families keep them in the bathroom – whatever works for you, but just get your FREAKING DIRTY CLOTHES IN THE HAMPER.

Teach kids (or other family members) to use it. Dirty clothes go in there, clean close get taken care of. Starting early helps this one (I hope).

Sorry, that’s obviously a hot button topic with me.

So, think about the rooms in your house that function the best, and consider why.  Maybe you could incorporate some of those things into other areas of your house to make them more functional.

Tell me about them in the comments!

If you liked this post, and easy ways to help keep your home cleaner — sign up for my cleaning newsletter that includes a FREE weekly cleaning planner.

This post was originally written in 2016, but has been updated.

The post Three Things To Help you Declutter & Manage Your Home Easier appeared first on Pulling Curls.