In between planning safe ways to celebrate Halloween and completing fun apple crafts, we have been thinking about other ways we can spend time at home as days become cooler and shorter. Our brainstorming sessions have led us to want to make our homes even cozier, so organizing is definitely on the horizon!

When you hear or see the word “organize”, your mind may wander to thoughts of full days spent cleaning and big spaces becoming decluttered. That sounds overwhelming to us! So, instead, we have smaller areas and projects on our minds. From your hall closet to your kids’ playroom (and a few additional spaces in between), here are the spaces we’ll be organizing and how you can join in too.

1. Closet:

No, we’re not suggesting you pour through your entire closet and decide which items “spark joy” like Marie Kondo. Instead, set aside 15-30 minutes to organize your hall closet or laundry room.

Place coats you and your family will wear during the fall and winter front and center and possibly relocate items you know you won’t need or wear again until the spring or summer. Then review hats, gloves, and scarves. Does every glove have a match? Does everything you own still fit? Do you like the items in the closet? Plan to toss or donate anything that no longer fits the bill.

For even more organization, think about investing in baskets or clear Tupperware containers for each person in your family. Then place their hats, gloves, and scarves inside their baskets or bins. It’s a great way to keep an eye on everyone’s things while establishing a go-to spot for each person.

2. Kitchen Drawers:

We spend a lot of time in our kitchens, and the space becomes even more of a hub during the fall and winter. So, organize your drawers! 

Go through your kitchen gadgets and review what you have. Does everything work? Do you use all of the items? What can you toss? What do you need to repurchase? Throw items away, create a pile to donate, and make a list of anything new you would like to add.

Another idea? Purchase organizers for drawers that have always housed loose items, and make your utensil drawer look pristine. 

3. Pantry:

Your entire family likely visits your pantry multiple times per day, so it can become disorganized quickly and easily. Set aside time to get the space back in order!

Consider reviewing expiration dates to make sure all of your products are still usable. Then review where everything is placed and decide if that works best for your family. We’ve found having zones in a pantries works well. For example, dry ingredients for dinner are together, condiments are grouped together, breakfast foods have a space, and snacks have a nook too. We also know families who have opted to purchase organizers to keep specific things together!

Ideally, your pantry should be a spot anyone in your family can visit, find what they need quickly, and close the door again.

4. Refrigerator:

Similar to your pantry, your refrigerator is another frequently visited area in your kitchen. So, are the items in it all up to date? Consider making sure condiments and other food items haven’t expired. Decide if you’re going to eat any leftovers. Make sure foods are grouped together (your crisper really does keep fruit and vegetables fresh longer!). 

If you want to take things to the next level, reimagine how you store food and drinks in your refrigerator. Consider taking water bottles, juice boxes, and soda out of the boxes or plastic it may arrive in, and place each container loose inside. You may even want to invest in organizers to keep the interior even more organized!

5. Desk:

Many of us continue to work from home or perhaps you’ve worked from home for years. When was the last time you organized your desk? The top is likely fairly polished, but your drawers may not have been organized for a while. 

Think about removing everything from your desk’s interior and reviewing it. Decide if you need to keep all of the items. Review paperwork that may need to be placed in another spot for safe keeping, and toss anything you no longer need. Another thing to do: test your pens, pencils, and markers. Then toss what has dried up and place items that are the same in cups or bags. 

Knowing your workspace is organized both outside and inside will definitely help your productivity during the days and weeks to come!

6. Kids’ Playroom:

Your kids’ playroom is definitely the largest project to take on. But, you can definitely tackle this room in stages, which means you can take on specific areas at a time.

If you want to tackle the whole room, open all closets, storage containers, and bins so you can see everything your kids own. Then review and organize items area-by-area. Take care to consider how often your kids play with specific toys, whether or not they may have outgrown items, and if there are pieces you know are missing. You may even find you want to rotate toys into new areas. For example, toys you wish your kids enjoyed more or those you know they love might be best in prominent, easy to reach areas. On the flip side, toys that require help or supervision might be best further out of reach. 

Another thing to do is to tackle specific areas at a time. For example, you might spend time reviewing books or dolls or Legos. Decide what you would like to keep, toss, and donate. Then review another section another day. Organizing anything one grouping at a time will add up as you go, and you will know you have been thoughtful with your efforts!

Some may find it helpful to organize the space without their kids present, while others may want to involve kids in the process. Neither option is wrong! Whatever you do, make sure the process and the organization method you choose is something your kids can either help you to maintain or maintain on their own. 

What space will you organize first? Do you have any organization tips to add? Let us know on Facebook!