New Year’s Resolutions: An Organized Home

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Becoming more organized is already one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions year in and year out.

With many of us spending more time at home over the past year, the hope to declutter the house may be even greater in 2021. We spoke to professional organizer and interior designer Kate Turk about how to get your house back in order.

Start Small

To make this resolution one that you can stick with, Turk suggests you create a plan and start small. “It’s always going to be too much to say, ‘I’m going to do my whole house.’ So just pick a whole room or maybe just a refrigerator even.”

Try these Rooms First

Professional organizer Kate Turk is one of the most valuable spaces in your home to organize. — Professional organizer Kate Turk is one of the most valuable spaces in your home to organize.(Kate Turk | WTOC)

Professional organizer Kate Turk suggests you start with your pantry if you want a more... — Professional organizer Kate Turk suggests you start with your pantry if you want a more organized home because of how often it's used.(Kate Turk | WTOC)

If you decide to just focus on one room, Turk says you’ll get the most out of your time by focusing on the pantry or the closet. That’s because they’re the rooms you use every day. She warns that the pantry can be a big undertaking, so try doing it in chunks. Turk shared how to switch out your closet for the season here.

Save the Baskets for Last

Kate Turk says that for many people, buying organizing bins is the most fun part of the... — Kate Turk says that for many people, buying organizing bins is the most fun part of the process. However, she cautions you to wait until the end to purchase them.(Kate Turk | WTOC)

“Normally people do that first, because they get excited, right? They get to go to the store and be like, ‘What am I buying?’” But Turk says hold off on the fun until you purge and edit first. Then group everything on the shelves the way you plan to organize them by basket. This should give you a much better idea of how many baskets you need and what size you need. Otherwise, “you’re going to get stuck with one that just doesn’t work.”

Also, make sure you buy similarly styled baskets every time. That way, they can be interchangeable throughout different rooms of the home.

Paring Down Items is Key. Here’s How to Do It

When you're reorganizing a closet, Kate Turk suggests taking everything out first. Then, create... — When you're reorganizing a closet, Kate Turk suggests taking everything out first. Then, create a system based on your routine.(Kate Turk | WTOC)

“I will be honest with anyone and say that organization is less about where you’re putting things and more about how much you have. So if you have just an overwhelming amount of things, we can organize all day long but it’s not going to give you that exact result you’re looking for.”

To start that paring down process, first decide whether or not an item is sentimental. If it is, consider finding a better place so save or showcase it. If it’s not sentimental, ask yourself ‘Do I love it?’ and ‘Do I need it?’

“If I don’t love it and I do need it, then why is it there? What is the connection there? And most of the time, when you go through that series of questions, you’re going to realize you don’t need it in your house.”

Copyright 2021 WTOC. All rights reserved.