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Martha Stewart's Organizing: The Manual for Bringing Order to Your Life, Home & Routines—A Must-Have Interior Design and Organization Book with Seasonal ... Expertise, Create Your Dream Home Now!
"How to organize everything, from America's most trusted lifestyle authority, with color photographs throughout and hundreds of ideas, projects, and tips"--
631 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2020
2145 people are currently reading
1652 people want to read
About the author
Martha Stewart
457 books577 followersMartha Helen Stewart is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. She has written numerous bestselling books, was the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Living, which ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
January 20, 2020
This book is beautiful in an on-trend, rose gold, faux granite, warm blush kind of way. I'm so glad I checked this book out from the library and gave it a flip through. I am. That being said, is Martha Stewart's advice still relevant in 2020? Who is her target audience?
I'm a middle-class woman from Missouri. I get that the Martha brand is supposed to be more aspirational than relateable to me. Still, I couldn't help but laugh at some of the items on the monthly calendar. Send your summer shoes to the cobbler? I don't think a cobbler is going to fix the plastic strap on an Old Navy $2 flip flop. Also, her list of to-dos for "laundering" would keep the average person way too busy to do the other suggested items like roasting parsnips from the root cellar or hosting a clambake or whipping up some dim sum.
If you are looking for organization advice, you won't find it here. The organization bits are things like, "Tidy your kitchen" or "Be sure to declutter your basement." However, if you are looking for in-depth detailed advice on the best way to launder your alpaca fleece that you sheered yourself, then this is it.
I'm a middle-class woman from Missouri. I get that the Martha brand is supposed to be more aspirational than relateable to me. Still, I couldn't help but laugh at some of the items on the monthly calendar. Send your summer shoes to the cobbler? I don't think a cobbler is going to fix the plastic strap on an Old Navy $2 flip flop. Also, her list of to-dos for "laundering" would keep the average person way too busy to do the other suggested items like roasting parsnips from the root cellar or hosting a clambake or whipping up some dim sum.
If you are looking for organization advice, you won't find it here. The organization bits are things like, "Tidy your kitchen" or "Be sure to declutter your basement." However, if you are looking for in-depth detailed advice on the best way to launder your alpaca fleece that you sheered yourself, then this is it.
February 13, 2020
This will be perfect for when I lose the family fortune and have to let go of the help and run the country manor on my own.
January 10, 2020
The moment I read the description for this book, I knew I had to have it. I usually buy used books, but I pre-ordered this one. It couldn't get here fast enough.
For me, the heart of this book is the calendar. The calendar breaks down many of Martha's wonderful ideas into manageable daily tasks and activities. It lets the reader look over Martha's shoulder and follow along day by day. It's a condensed glimpse of how she accomplishes so many things in her life. What excites me most about the calendar is that she remembers to include leisure activities. I have often had a hard time balancing chores and leisure. I also often have a hard time choosing what to work on each day, and lately that indecision has been making me pretty miserable. As soon as the preview for the book was available, I started following along with the calendar and immediately started feeling better.
This past week I:
– did some yoga (using the Ring Fit game on our Nintendo Switch)
– organized a list of upcoming medical appointments for myself, my husband & our two sons
– bought some citrus fruit (found some excellent pink grapefruit)
– shopped at a white sale (found a much-needed big warm comforter)
Tonight we’re planning to have a movie night with the kids (sans the suggested fireplace; if I continue following Martha’s suggestions, we should have our fireplace ready to use next winter for the first time in over a decade of living in our house).
In short, it’s a relief to follow a simple list of tasks and get positive results. As one lady put it on Twitter, “Martha take the wheel.”
The checklists and schedules are the other helpful parts of the book. The book is a little short. I see it as a companion for The Martha Manual. I pounced on that book too, but then it sat on my shelf getting dusty because I had a hard time getting organized enough to apply her ideas to my life. Martha Stewart’s Organizing adds that missing piece. It’s a little early to say, but I have a feeling that this book will finally get me on track. If you’re struggling, it might help you, too.
For me, the heart of this book is the calendar. The calendar breaks down many of Martha's wonderful ideas into manageable daily tasks and activities. It lets the reader look over Martha's shoulder and follow along day by day. It's a condensed glimpse of how she accomplishes so many things in her life. What excites me most about the calendar is that she remembers to include leisure activities. I have often had a hard time balancing chores and leisure. I also often have a hard time choosing what to work on each day, and lately that indecision has been making me pretty miserable. As soon as the preview for the book was available, I started following along with the calendar and immediately started feeling better.
This past week I:
– did some yoga (using the Ring Fit game on our Nintendo Switch)
– organized a list of upcoming medical appointments for myself, my husband & our two sons
– bought some citrus fruit (found some excellent pink grapefruit)
– shopped at a white sale (found a much-needed big warm comforter)
Tonight we’re planning to have a movie night with the kids (sans the suggested fireplace; if I continue following Martha’s suggestions, we should have our fireplace ready to use next winter for the first time in over a decade of living in our house).
In short, it’s a relief to follow a simple list of tasks and get positive results. As one lady put it on Twitter, “Martha take the wheel.”
The checklists and schedules are the other helpful parts of the book. The book is a little short. I see it as a companion for The Martha Manual. I pounced on that book too, but then it sat on my shelf getting dusty because I had a hard time getting organized enough to apply her ideas to my life. Martha Stewart’s Organizing adds that missing piece. It’s a little early to say, but I have a feeling that this book will finally get me on track. If you’re struggling, it might help you, too.
February 17, 2020
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a fantasy. That one was a doozy!!
June 28, 2020
⭐️3 Stars⭐️
Disappointingly this book was not what I thought it would be, I found the title very misleading. Most of the good ideas in this book are just plain common sense so I didn’t find any new tips to put into practice. I found that there was a fair amount of repetition in the pages.
Some of Martha's ideas if followed would make more work for me than less funny enough! This book appeared to be more of a diary of Martha’s lifestyle.
I was hoping to find some magic....practical organisation and amazing tips to save me time and help me become more organised but this wasn’t the book for me. A very pretty book it was netherless.
Disappointingly this book was not what I thought it would be, I found the title very misleading. Most of the good ideas in this book are just plain common sense so I didn’t find any new tips to put into practice. I found that there was a fair amount of repetition in the pages.
Some of Martha's ideas if followed would make more work for me than less funny enough! This book appeared to be more of a diary of Martha’s lifestyle.
I was hoping to find some magic....practical organisation and amazing tips to save me time and help me become more organised but this wasn’t the book for me. A very pretty book it was netherless.
March 19, 2020
Impulse bought after tripping over the pile of shoes in my closet three times in one day. These tips are excellent, in theory. Unfortunately, Martha has five homes and heaps of ill-gotten cash and dogs named Creme Brulee and Bete Noire, and she seems to think everyone else does too, so there's nothing particularly practical here. Gorgeous pictures, though.
January 18, 2020
This isn’t about organizing
It’s mostly lists of stuff “to do” by month if you’re a Martha Stewart-style overachiever
It’s mostly lists of stuff “to do” by month if you’re a Martha Stewart-style overachiever
October 2, 2020
Not always practical, but it sure does make me happy. :)
May 24, 2020
I got this book from the library but am seriously considering purchasing my own copy to be able to reference throughout the year.
This is definitely a good resource to have on hand and to check into at least seasonally. I love the checklists that came with each section and the smaller breakdowns of things that can be done with 5, 10, and 15 minute breaks (especially helpful for moms who only have that kind of spare time 🤪).
I also love that the manual is beautiful itself, something that would look good sitting out on a coffee table.
This is definitely a good resource to have on hand and to check into at least seasonally. I love the checklists that came with each section and the smaller breakdowns of things that can be done with 5, 10, and 15 minute breaks (especially helpful for moms who only have that kind of spare time 🤪).
I also love that the manual is beautiful itself, something that would look good sitting out on a coffee table.
February 23, 2021
Oh Martha, maybe if my sleep were removed I *might* be able to fit in a third of your organizational and life suggestions into my routine. Oh who am I kidding? A tenth. Anyway, this is a master class in mega-control. As such, I scanned through it, noticed that which I already do, noticed that which there's no freaking way I will ever do, then ran screaming.
Also, the monthly calendars? Kinda entitled there, Martha. Not everyone can purchase their yearly theater tickets in January, yaknowwhatImean?
Also, the monthly calendars? Kinda entitled there, Martha. Not everyone can purchase their yearly theater tickets in January, yaknowwhatImean?
January 19, 2020
There is nothing common sense won't give you in this book, but I rate it at five stars for how it is set up and for the extra sidebar notes on items. Very informative and really gets the organizational creative you thinking about how to improve upon things you are already doing. Also, it's Martha Stewart so you know the book will be beautiful to look at as well as read.
October 30, 2020
Such a useful book, especially the monthly calendars of tasks. This week I am to carve pumpkins, roast the seeds, plant spring bulbs, create leaf art, clean and set humidifiers, bake spooky cookies, and go trick-or-treating.
January 13, 2020
It's practical, sure, but this one offers little new information for amateur home organizers.
February 3, 2020
Newlywed me from ten years ago would have loved this. Working mom of two me likes it in a “is this how the rich live?” way. The basic parts of this book - establishing a routine/rhythm to you daily/yearly life so that it functions smoothly - are common sense. But I can see the newly married or newly adult eating this up.
March 1, 2020
This book is SO MARTHA, to the point of being hilarious. Yes, I did find some good ideas and was pleasantly surprised that I was already doing several of these. But honestly, most of this is never going to happen in my household !! Thanks for the suggestions, Martha - I'll take them under advisement.
January 19, 2020
I love MS books, and this book is right up my alley. But. There's always a certain coldness and austerity in these perfect layouts and lists. Lots of this info is recycled, as are the pictures, but for a rookie homemaker it would be useful. Martha, I love you, but you're bringing me down.
February 10, 2020
It's Martha so you know what you're getting into when you pick it up. Obviously it's both as beautiful and as bougie as you would expect. It's going to advise you to book your spring break travel plans in January, look for luggage on sale in March, and honour Earth Day by composting in April, not give bullet points on when/how to dismantle the patriarchy, the prison or military industrial complexes, or structural racism. The closest it gets is a reference to Juneteenth. It's lifestyle porn at its finest and it's aspirational, if not realistic.
Snarkiest advice:
"If you spouse has yet to ever place his jacket on a hangar, it might be time to assign him a coat hook" (p. 94) This drips of passive aggression and whoever wrote this has had ENOUGH.
Most absurd advice:
* In your night table, "keep a water carafe and glass to quench nighttime thirst." An entire carafe? Who is this parched? You're going to have to get up to pee all night!
* Spray keyboard and mouse daily with a can of compressed air daily - Daily?? Luckily, later in the book advises a more realistic schedule.
* Get your children to put away their toys before they take out new ones - hahahahahahahaha
Horrifying advice for people living the teetotal or sober lifestyle
* "Unless you routinely throw huge parties, six to eight glasses in each basic style [of alcoholic beverages] is fine"
* "Order a case of wine with convenient home delivery so you're ready for Christmas and New Year's celebrations"
* Keeping a stocked fancy bar cart in your living room
Snarkiest advice:
"If you spouse has yet to ever place his jacket on a hangar, it might be time to assign him a coat hook" (p. 94) This drips of passive aggression and whoever wrote this has had ENOUGH.
Most absurd advice:
* In your night table, "keep a water carafe and glass to quench nighttime thirst." An entire carafe? Who is this parched? You're going to have to get up to pee all night!
* Spray keyboard and mouse daily with a can of compressed air daily - Daily?? Luckily, later in the book advises a more realistic schedule.
* Get your children to put away their toys before they take out new ones - hahahahahahahaha
Horrifying advice for people living the teetotal or sober lifestyle
* "Unless you routinely throw huge parties, six to eight glasses in each basic style [of alcoholic beverages] is fine"
* "Order a case of wine with convenient home delivery so you're ready for Christmas and New Year's celebrations"
* Keeping a stocked fancy bar cart in your living room
Read
January 23, 2022So I was reading this book, and I was asking myself, what does decorating easter eggs, adopting a dog and baking a 'patriotic pie' have to do with organizing?
And that's when I realized my mistake: I had read the title of the this book as "martha stewart's ORGANIZING", but really it is "MARTHA STEWART'S organizing".
Another possible title would be "Martha Stewart shares her favourite lists".
Which isn't to say it was useless. For example, I got a recipe for slug repellent that I'm going to try this summer.
If you are a *huge* fan of Martha Stewart, you will probably love this book.
I am not ... so it was ... ok.
And that's when I realized my mistake: I had read the title of the this book as "martha stewart's ORGANIZING", but really it is "MARTHA STEWART'S organizing".
Another possible title would be "Martha Stewart shares her favourite lists".
Which isn't to say it was useless. For example, I got a recipe for slug repellent that I'm going to try this summer.
If you are a *huge* fan of Martha Stewart, you will probably love this book.
I am not ... so it was ... ok.
November 6, 2020
Excellent everything book. It’s hard to do an organization book well, but Martha manages to give you a daily task calendar that doesn’t feel pushy, a home organization suggestion section that feels fresh, and a personal care and diet section that isn’t too preachy. All around excellent ideas wrapped up in a beautiful package.
January 14, 2020
Liked the way this book was laid out. And great photography
February 8, 2020
Nice pictures, interesting lists, but overall not a lot of content.
August 3, 2020
This will be one of those books I reference every season :)
December 5, 2025
I haven’t read a fantasy in quite some time. If you guys need me, I’ll be booking my theatre tickets, planning my summer badminton and croquet party after I go lobstering and polish my silver. I used to really like Martha but this is just a compilation of out of touch articles from her magazine.
November 6, 2025
3.7/5 stars. Martha's got some good ideas in there but it's always LOL-worthy to read her pie in the sky advice that completely ignores the messy chaotic nature of reality.
June 7, 2020
I’m going to start by saying I don’t think I was the target audience for this book. I sort of knew this going in. I’m a single, middle class woman who doesn’t own a home, but I thought since the book focused on organizing there might be some good tips. I’m trying to imagine though who is the target audience and I guess it would be a upper middle class white woman, stay at home mom, who likes the lifestyle of the glam 80s...
Some of the tips just made me laugh out loud. For example in one month overview, she advises sending your summer shows to the cobbler. Lol. Maybe I’ve just never owned a pair of shoes nice enough to require a cobbler. 🤷🏼♀️
The book was well organized although I feel mostly impractical for the majority of people. Martha might be the dream level of living, but for me it wasn’t a home run. I considered giving the book two stars because I found little useful in the book, but decided on three because it was well laid out and had pretty illustrations. Plus it felt mean to give mark it down because I didn’t meet the target audience.
I would advise though just borrowing it from your local library. I don’t see a reason anyone would need to spend money on this book when all of these tips are free on the internet.
Some of the tips just made me laugh out loud. For example in one month overview, she advises sending your summer shows to the cobbler. Lol. Maybe I’ve just never owned a pair of shoes nice enough to require a cobbler. 🤷🏼♀️
The book was well organized although I feel mostly impractical for the majority of people. Martha might be the dream level of living, but for me it wasn’t a home run. I considered giving the book two stars because I found little useful in the book, but decided on three because it was well laid out and had pretty illustrations. Plus it felt mean to give mark it down because I didn’t meet the target audience.
I would advise though just borrowing it from your local library. I don’t see a reason anyone would need to spend money on this book when all of these tips are free on the internet.
March 6, 2020
What white people bullsh*t is this?
I don't own a freaking home, I am a renter. I cannot "schedule vacations" or "weekend getaways" on a whim or clean random things or blah blah blah. This book is for some insane wealthy person. Her calendar section was making me gag with the stupidity of it all. I don't even know what to say. Also, REALLY MARTHA, you think that you can "fix" our children's schedules/all of their life problems in a 2 page section? God this book is problematic and pathetic. Stick to your cookbooks please which I actually enjoy. Seriously, grab this book from your library (I did) just for a laugh.
The way the so-called calendar is designed, you must
1) be a millionaire
2) throw dinner parties for you and the rich people you know
3) you sure as hell cannot be working so you can clean/make dumplings/celebrate random holidays/look at your gutter and all the other things you are supposed to do.
Why was this published? Just why? Do people actually live this way? If they do, please I would love to be their friend/marry them and have some of that money they are clearly not using for REAL NEEDS.
I don't own a freaking home, I am a renter. I cannot "schedule vacations" or "weekend getaways" on a whim or clean random things or blah blah blah. This book is for some insane wealthy person. Her calendar section was making me gag with the stupidity of it all. I don't even know what to say. Also, REALLY MARTHA, you think that you can "fix" our children's schedules/all of their life problems in a 2 page section? God this book is problematic and pathetic. Stick to your cookbooks please which I actually enjoy. Seriously, grab this book from your library (I did) just for a laugh.
The way the so-called calendar is designed, you must
1) be a millionaire
2) throw dinner parties for you and the rich people you know
3) you sure as hell cannot be working so you can clean/make dumplings/celebrate random holidays/look at your gutter and all the other things you are supposed to do.
Why was this published? Just why? Do people actually live this way? If they do, please I would love to be their friend/marry them and have some of that money they are clearly not using for REAL NEEDS.
March 8, 2020
Picked this up from a library display on a whim. It reads like a giant magazine all on organizing. All I can say is Martha sure likes to make work for herself. The calendar of when to do various household tasks was mainly things I’m content to never do or think about. I did gain a few useful tips on organizing, storage and hosting, and it was a pretty book to page through. Not at all a handbook for my lifestyle though.
November 15, 2020
Typical of Martha Stewart's productions, this is a beautifully crafted book. That said, if you are rich and privileged you will love it. If you aspire to be rich and privileged you will find it inspiring. I do not fall into either category, and thus did not find it of any practical value.
February 3, 2025
This is the most hilariously unrelatable organization manual that has ever been written. On most hands, that means one star. But on one hand, that means ten stars, because who expected anything fucking else from Martha?
February 20, 2025
Why did I read this I already have systems in place I don’t need new ones silly me
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews