With five children, I've learned that the secret to a calmer home isn't a perfect makeover. It's simple systems that everyone, even the youngest, can follow. If a system takes more than a few seconds to use, it won't last past Tuesday.
Here are six that work in a real, busy family home.
1. Give every drawer "rooms"
Drawers turn into chaos when everything is loose. Divide them so socks, underwear and t-shirts each have a home. Kids can see where things go and put their own clothes away.
Small fabric bins, shoeboxes or trays all work. Choose ones that fit the depth of the drawer so they stay put when it opens.
2. One home for every toy category
Instead of one giant toy box, give each kind of toy its own container, then label it with a picture for little ones who can't read yet. Building bricks are the hardest. A wooden brick sorter ($79) sorts pieces by size with a shake and keeps them off the floor.
3. Use the walls
When counters and floors fill up, look up. Hooks at child height hold backpacks and coats, and wall shelves hold books and baskets, freeing the floor. In children's rooms, anchor shelves securely and keep heavy items out of reach.
4. Baskets for the soft stuff
Blankets, stuffed animals and dress-up clothes don't fit neatly anywhere. An open basket in each room gives them a home that's easy to tidy into. A cotton rope pom and tassel basket ($64.99) is soft, has handles and looks good enough to leave out.
5. Contain the kitchen "in-between" foods
Half-used bread, cut fruit and snacks get lost in the fridge and cupboard. Beeswax food bags and beeswax wraps keep them together and visible, without plastic.
6. The 10-minute reset
Systems only work if things go back. Try this: every evening, set a timer for 10 minutes and have everyone return things to their homes. Little ones carry toys; bigger ones do their rooms. It's the habit that keeps everything else working.
Where to start
| If this is your biggest headache | Start with |
|---|---|
| Laundry piles and messy drawers | Drawer dividers or small bins |
| Toys and bricks everywhere | One home per toy category, plus a brick sorter |
| Crowded counters | Wall hooks and shelves |
| Blankets and soft toys everywhere | A large open basket |
Questions
How do I get kids to keep things organized?
Keep it simple and visible: open bins, picture labels and storage at their height. Then make tidying a short daily routine rather than a big weekend job.
What's the best first step?
Pick the one spot that frustrates you most every day, and fix only that this week.
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