Organizing tips are a dime a dozen on the internet nowadays. But as a professional organizer, it’s my job to share with you what works best for me and my clients. We all have different methods and systems. And while most of our organization tips are similar, ‌they stem from unique experiences.

That’s why I wanted to share my top organizing tips with you today. They come directly from my years as a professional organizer. They are the ones I feel most strongly about and believe everyone should adopt in their daily lives.

Here are our top 10 organization tips straight from a professional

#1 — Start in one place

When you decide to take on an organizing project, it can escalate quickly. This is especially true if you go into it without a plan. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm yourself before you even begin.

That’s why one of the top organizing tips I share with my clients is to start in one place. Don’t say, “I’m going to organize my entire house.” Instead, say, “I’m going to organize my closet today,” or “I’m going to organize my junk drawer today.”

When you tackle one space at a time, one room at a time, you’re going to feel less intimidated. You can still organize your entire house, but start in one place and move on only when you finish.

#2 — Allow plenty of time

Organizing is not a one-day project. It’s not even a weekend project. Being organized requires constant evaluation and updating of systems. However, before you reach that stage, you need to first complete ‌organizing your home.

A professional organizing tip you might hear often is allowing plenty of time to do the actual task. Sure, hired organizers come in and get things done in a few days, but that’s because we’re on a timestamp. But if you decide to tackle organizing yourself, it’s vital to accept that it will take you longer than you think.

You don’t want to let spaces sit around disorganized for too long. But you don’t want to rush through the process either. Organizing is about finding that happy balance, and if you’re new to the process, finding it will take you a while. But don’t give up! You’ll get there.

#3 — Donate or hold a garage sale

As you organize and declutter, chances are you’re going to have a ton of stuff you don’t want anymore. The question on many clients’ minds is, “What do I do with all this?”

The good news is you have several options, but I like to suggest either donating the items or holding a garage sale. Both give your things a second chance at life. But be diligent about what you donate. Always check local donation centers and what they’re currently accepting.

Garage sales give you a chance to recuperate some of the money you spent on these items in the past. Will you recoup everything? No, but earning even a minor amount can give you a boost of confidence. What doesn’t sell can be donated or properly disposed of.

#4 — Look for wasted space

Wasted space doesn’t mean negative space. In fact, having some open space can be quite soothing to your eyes. It’s wasted space that’s the problem. These are areas you’re not using to their full advantage. Pantries, drawers, and cabinets have the most wasted space. This is because you haven’t learned the best way to store things to maximize their use.

My top organizing tip for this is to seek ideas online. See how others organize their pantries and take inspiration from them. Try them out. If they don’t work, try another way. The best thing about this concept is there will be a method that works for you. It’s just a matter of testing different ones out before you find it.

#5 — Maximize vertical space

We mentioned wasted space before and one such section is the poor use of vertical space in homes. Vertical space is king, more so when you have smaller spaces to work with. You can use vertical space to organize a ton of stuff.

Papers, for example, benefit from vertical space. But you can also use vertical space to organize kitchen items, bathroom products, food, cleaning supplies, and jewelry. The key is balance. It’s about using vertical space to your advantage, but not to where every wall is covered.

#6 — Consider storage with wheels

Believe it or not, if you organize well you shouldn’t have a ton of storage. Reserve storage for off-season items like holiday decorations or seasonal clothing. If you have too much stuff in storage, then you need to improve your decluttering mindset. If you want to learn how to fix your organizing and decluttering mindset, read this post.

But this organizing tip is more about the type of storage, rather than the amount. When looking at new storage containers, consider ones with wheels. This will make hauling them easier on your back. And if you buy from the same brand, you’ll still be able to pile them on top of each other. It’s a win-win situation.

#7 — Choose transparent containers

On the topic of storage, always choose transparent containers. When you use clear containers for storage, food, and products, you’re going to see what you’re running low on. It makes preparing a grocery list that much easier.

Many people don’t understand why you should take the time to transfer food from its original container into another one. Truth is, keeping certain foods in their original packaging will mean they expire faster. Moving them to airtight, clear containers will make them last longer and give you a better idea of what you have left.

#8 — Use labels to identify

Everyone uses labels differently. Even professional organizers. While many of us swear by them, we use them in a variety of ways that benefit our clients. For example, we prefer to use labels to identify. This is especially important when you’ve completed a major overhaul of your house.

How so? Because when you organize a space like your pantry, you may not remember the new system right off the bat. It’ll take you some time to get used to. That’s why you label. It trains your brain to remember where things are now. Do you have to keep things labeled forever? Not at all. But they’re handy to have for major organizing projects.

#9 — Consider the frequency of use

A professional organizing tip I share with my clients is to consider the frequency of use of certain objects. We all buy and are gifted things we don’t use. And instead of deciding early on to declutter it, we keep it, thinking that one day it’ll be needed. Ninety percent of the time, that “one day” doesn’t come, and the item continues to sit around.

So the next time you begin a major organizing or decluttering project, keep that in mind. Really look at each item in question and ask yourself, “How often do I use this?”

Have you ever taken the pasta maker out of the box? What about that lemon squeezer? If you make lemonade consistently, it’s a keeper. But if it’s a summer delicacy, consider decluttering it. Chances are you can borrow one from a family member or friend when the time comes.

#10 — Organize by color

This organizing tip will be helpful primarily to use visual people. Organizing by color does a few things. For starters, it gives the space a uniform feel. Some people prefer this. The aesthetic alone excites them. It also makes finding things a lot easier.

One of the most popular things to organize by color is books. But you can use this method in your closet, with your makeup and craft supplies.

If you’re not sure if organizing by color will work for you, try it. Start with pens and writing instruments. They’re small enough to organize quickly. If you find that color organization is not for you, you won’t feel you wasted time. The point is to try, especially if you’re in the market for new methods and systems.

Even professional organizers need a reminder now and then. That’s why these organizing tips are perfect to share because they form the foundation that is organizing. And if you want more tips, follow us on Instagram. Tag us using one of these tips and we’ll share it on our page.

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