Break These 10 Organizing Rules Immediately!

The truth is, many of the “rules” we try to follow in pursuit of a tidy home are making it harder, not easier.

Let’s talk about the idea of unorganizing—letting go of rigid systems and instead creating a home that’s functional, forgiving, and fits the way you live.

Here are some refreshingly simple tips for making your home feel cleaner and more manageable—by doing a little less.

1. Simplify Your Laundry Routine

Folding laundry is one of those tasks that can easily pile up—literally. The solution? Let go of the idea that every item needs to be folded or perfectly sorted.

Try This Instead:

Hang items straight out of the dryer if needed.

Toss everything else—pajamas, socks, underwear—into designated bins or drawers without folding.

Skip the “laundry day” marathon. Do smaller, frequent loads you can put away in 5 minutes.

You’ll save time, reduce visual clutter, and avoid the dreaded “clean laundry mountain.”

2. Streamline Nightstand Chaos with a “Chucket Bucket”

Your bedside table doesn’t need to look like a magazine spread to function well. If you’re tired of seeing glasses, books, and cords pile up, try this simple solution:

Tip: Use a pull-out container (like the one I use) or basket under your bed where you can quickly stash items. Keep what you’re using within reach, and then “chuck it” away when you’re done. You’ll wake up to a clear surface—without the daily tidy-up stress.

3. Manage Paper Without the Pressure

Mail, bills, and receipts often create slow-building clutter. Instead of aiming for instant sorting perfection, adopt a one-touch containment strategy:

Designate a clutter catcher basket or tray for incoming mail and paperwork.

Once a week, go through and recycle, shred, or action items as needed.

Use a single bin labeled “Paid Bills – 2025” for anything that needs to be saved. Come tax time, it’s all in one place—no fuss.

This low-effort system eliminates paper piles without requiring you to become a file-folder fanatic.

4. Rethink Kitchen Storage

Most organizing systems suggest grouping all food in a pantry or cupboard—but what if it made more sense to store items where you actually use them?

Ideas to Try:

Create a “breakfast station” near your toaster with cereal, spreads, and coffee items.

Keep lunch prep supplies near your prep area to avoid zig-zagging across the kitchen.

Skip decanting dry goods if it feels like a chore. Use baskets by category instead—snacks, baking, grains—so it’s easy to find and put away.

Form should follow function, not the other way around.

5. Store Items Where You Use Them

If you find yourself constantly returning items to “the right spot,” consider whether that spot is actually right for your routine.

For example:

Keep tape, scissors, and frequently-used tools in your kitchen junk drawer if that’s where you reach for them.

Create a small toy bin in the living room for the toys your kids use every day—even if you have a separate playroom.

Store cleaning supplies in each room instead of one central closet.

Efficiency comes from convenience. Don’t fight your habits—work with them.

6. Let Go of Donation Overwhelm

Organizing donations can become its own project, and often leads to procrastination. The fix? Stop overthinking.

Simplify with these steps:

Use one donation bin for everything—clothes, toys, household items.

Skip sorting by charity type; when the bin is full, take it all to your nearest donation center.

Don’t worry about washing or folding. Most donation centers handle that anyway.

Focus on letting go, not perfect redistribution.

7. Make Essentials Easy to Grab

Instead of grouping all similar items together (e.g., all cords or all batteries), store duplicates in multiple convenient locations.

For example:

One bin for cords in the living room, another upstairs.

Store batteries in both the kitchen and garage if you use them in each.

Creating easy access in multiple spots prevents clutter from building up in one overwhelmed drawer.

8. Use a “Get Ready” Bin in the Bathroom

Rather than storing products by category, try storing them by routine.

Put everything you use to get ready in one basket—brush, toothpaste, deodorant, makeup, etc.—and store that bin in a drawer or under the sink. In the morning, just grab the bin and go.

One container = easier mornings and less mess on the counter.

9. Stop Over-Organizing Your Fridge

You don’t need a rainbow of matching bins or a TikTok-worthy setup. Focus on visibility and function.

Put things that go bad quickly (produce, leftovers) at the front.

Use one bin in the door for condiments to make grab-and-go easier.

Let go of the pressure to organize by food type—just keep “like with like” and make sure it’s visible.

When you’re not overcomplicating, you’re more likely to keep up with it.

10. Consolidate Cords and Gadget Accessories

Instead of labeling and separating every charger or cable, keep a single “tech bin” where everything lives. It may not look perfect, but it’s effective.

Have one main container—and maybe a smaller one upstairs—for random cords, adapters, and accessories. When you need something, you’ll know exactly where to look.

11. Keep Sentimental Items Simple

Memory keeping can quickly become overwhelming. Instead of trying to scrapbook every event, use this simple strategy:

Place a memory bin in your entryway or closet.

Anything special—art, photos, tickets—goes in immediately.

Each family member can have their own bin too.

Once a year, go through it and decide what to keep. The key is that everything has a place until you’re ready.

12. Digital Decluttering

Your inbox doesn’t need to be at zero. Your desktop doesn’t need to be spotless. Let search features do the heavy lifting.

Digital Tips:

Archive (don’t delete) emails you don’t need right now.

Save all receipts or documents to a single folder by year.

When your desktop gets crowded, drag everything into a “To Sort Later” folder—then use the search bar when you need something.

It’s okay to be a little messy as long as things are findable.  The most effective organizing systems aren’t the prettiest. They’re the ones you actually use and maintain.

By letting go of rigid rules and embracing a more forgiving, functional approach to organizing, your home can be more peaceful, more usable, and—surprisingly—more organized.

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