The Secret to a Tidy Home: Zoning 101

Zoning your home is the missing piece most people overlook when trying to get organized.   If you skip this step, your house will never be easy to maintain. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Once you nail this, your house practically organizes itself.

So grab a metaphorical tour bus ticket because I’m going to be your guide as we explore the “realm of zoning.” 🚍✨

What Is Zoning (and Why Does It Matter)?

Zoning means giving every category of items in your home a specific place to live — not just in a random drawer, but in a logical, functional “zone.”

Think of it like this:

Regions = Rooms

Cities = Activity areas inside the room

Neighborhoods = Smaller categories within those areas

When everything has a clear “address,” it’s easy for anyone in your family to find it and put it back. That’s how you stop the endless cycle of tidying and re-tidying.

STEP 1: Map Your Home

Before you buy bins or baskets, sketch out your house. Each room is a region.

Then within each room, divide it into cities. For example, in the kitchen you might have:

Hot Beverage City: coffee maker, mugs, tea, sugar

Cooking City: pots, pans, utensils

Snack City: chips, granola bars, treats

Inside each city are the neighbourhoods. For instance, in Hot Beverage City, you might have the “Coffee Neighborhood” (all your coffee stuff together) and the “Tea Neighbourhood” (all your tea together).

STEP 2: Tour Your Home by Zones

Let’s take a tour of some common zones so you can see how this works:

The Entrance Zone

This is your landing region — coats, shoes, bags, and keys. Break it down further into:

Mudroom City: shoes, boots, coats

Utility City: batteries, manuals, flashlights

The Craft Zone

If you’re a crafter, you need a dedicated Craft City (whether it’s a whole room, a corner, or just one drawer). Inside:

Tool Town: scissors, glue, tape

Kids’ Crafts Neighborhood: crayons, markers, paper

Your Hobbies Neighborhood: yarn, paints, or whatever you love

The Exercise Zone

Even if you don’t work out much (same 🙋‍♀️), keeping equipment together is key. Dumbbells, yoga mats, and resistance bands all belong in Strength City — ideally near where you actually use them.

The Guest Zone

Think like a host: guests should easily find everything they need.

Snack Neighborhood: granola bars, drinks

Toiletry Neighborhood: spare toothbrush, soap, lotion

Comfort Neighborhood: blankets, towels, pillows

The Pet Zone

Pets need their own city too! Put bowls, treats, leashes, and meds all together in Pet City so nothing gets lost (and your family knows where to look).

STEP 3: Zone for Laziness

Zoning isn’t about perfection — it’s about making life easier. Put things where you use them.

Dishes should live near the dishwasher.

Dog food should be stored right where you feed your dog.

First aid and medicines should be neighbors in the bathroom so you can grab a bandage and Advil in one trip.

When you zone for laziness, you save time and energy — and your home naturally stays tidier.

STEP 4: Declutter + Zone = Magic

Here’s the hard truth: you can’t zone clutter. If you’ve got duplicates, random piles, or stuff scattered across multiple rooms, you’ll never feel on top of it.

Declutter first. Then zone what’s left.

👉 This way, when you pick something up, you’ll instantly know where it belongs. And if it doesn’t have a zone? That’s your clue it probably doesn’t belong in your home.

Real-Life Example: From Doom Room to Done

I recently worked with Jessica McCabe from How to ADHD and her partner, Raph, on their “doom room.” At first, you couldn’t even see the floor. But once we decluttered and zoned their house, everything clicked.

Now when they pick up an item, they know exactly where it goes. And if it doesn’t have a zone? It doesn’t stay.

Their entire home has stayed tidy since, because zoning takes away the guesswork.

🏡 See their makeover here! 

Your Homework: Make Your Map 🗺️

Grab a notebook and walk through your house like you’re a stranger who just moved in.

Sketch each room (region).

Break it into cities based on activities.

Create neighbourhoods for the smaller categories.

It may mean moving things around at first, but once every “neighbour” lives beside its logical friends, your house will practically run itself.

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