10 Home Organization Hacks That Actually Work

Let's face it—keeping your home organized can feel like a never-ending battle. Between busy schedules, growing families, and accumulating belongings, maintaining an organized space often slides to the bottom of the priority list. But what if getting organized didn't have to be so overwhelming?

We've compiled 10 practical home organization hacks that don't just look good on Pinterest—they actually work in real homes with real families. These solutions are affordable, simple to implement, and most importantly, easy to maintain.

1. Implement the "One In, One Out" Rule

The "One In, One Out" rule is simple: for every new item that enters your home, one item must leave. This creates a sustainable system that prevents clutter from accumulating over time.

How to make it work:

• Keep a donation box in your closet or garage
• Before putting away a new purchase, select something to remove
• Apply this rule especially to clothing, toys, kitchen gadgets, and decorative items

This rule is particularly effective because it doesn't require a massive organizational overhaul—it's a small habit that prevents the need for future decluttering sessions.

2. Use Vertical Space with Wall-Mounted Organizers

One of the most underutilized spaces in many homes is the vertical wall space. Wall-mounted organizers can transform dead space into functional storage without taking up valuable floor real estate.

Best vertical organization systems:

• Pegboards for craft supplies, tools, or kitchen utensils
• Wall-mounted file holders for mail and important papers
• Floating shelves for books, plants, and decorative items
• Door-hanging organizers for shoes, cleaning supplies, or pantry items

Vertical organization is especially useful in small homes or apartments where floor space is limited. It also keeps frequently used items visible and accessible.

3. Create "Zones" in Multi-Purpose Spaces

Many modern homes feature open-concept layouts or rooms that serve multiple purposes. Creating defined zones helps maintain organization and purpose within these spaces.

How to create effective zones:

• Use area rugs to visually separate spaces
• Position furniture to create natural divisions
• Ensure each zone has its own storage solutions
• Maintain consistent color schemes within zones while allowing each to have its own identity

This approach works because it helps your brain process different activities in the same space, reducing the mental clutter that can lead to physical clutter.

4. Implement the "Touch It Once" Principle

This deceptively simple principle can dramatically reduce the small piles of clutter that accumulate around your home. The rule is: when you touch an item, deal with it completely rather than setting it down to handle later.

Examples:

• When you bring in mail, immediately sort, recycle, file, or respond
• When you take off clothing, either hang it up, put it in the laundry, or put it away
• When you finish using a kitchen utensil, wash it and put it away rather than setting it in the sink

While this requires a mindset shift, it eliminates the build-up of "I'll deal with it later" piles that never seem to get addressed.

5. Use Clear Storage Containers

Clear storage containers are worth the investment because they solve one of the biggest organizational challenges: remembering what you have and where you put it.

Best uses for clear containers:

• Pantry staples (flour, sugar, pasta, snacks)
• Seasonal clothing in storage
• Craft supplies and small parts
• Children's toys with multiple pieces

Label each container for even better organization, but the visual nature of clear containers means you'll still know what's inside even if labels fall off or become outdated.

6. Implement Strategic Drawer Dividers

Drawers quickly become chaotic catch-all spaces without internal organization. Drawer dividers transform these spaces from jumbled messes to functional storage.

Drawer divider strategies:

• Use expandable dividers that adjust to your drawer size
• Group similar items together
• Position frequently used items at the front
• Consider vertical file organizers for papers and documents
• Use small containers within drawers for tiny items like jewelry or office supplies

This hack works because it stops items from shifting around and becoming disorganized every time you open and close the drawer.

7. Create a Command Center

A command center serves as the organizational hub for family information, schedules, and important documents. Placing this in a central location (like near the kitchen or entryway) keeps everyone on the same page.

Elements of an effective command center:

• Wall calendar or family schedule
• Mail sorting station
• Charging station for devices
• Key hooks
• Whiteboard or bulletin board for notes
• Folder for each family member's papers

This hack works because it creates one designated place for information to live, eliminating the "I didn't know about that" or "Where did I put that paper?" problems.

8. Use the "Sunday Reset" Method

The Sunday Reset is a scheduled time (doesn't have to be Sunday) when you restore order to your home before the week begins. This prevents organizational systems from breaking down over time.

Components of a Sunday Reset:

• Quick decluttering of main living spaces
• Resetting organization systems that have shifted during the week
• Planning meals for the week
• Reviewing the calendar and preparing for upcoming events
• Doing a load of laundry so everyone starts the week with clean clothes

This method is effective because it's preventative maintenance rather than a massive overhaul when things become unmanageable.

9. Maximize "Dead" Storage Spaces

Every home has overlooked storage opportunities that can be leveraged for organization. Identifying and optimizing these spaces can significantly increase your storage capacity.

Often overlooked storage spaces:

• Under beds (use flat containers with wheels)
• Inside ottomans and coffee tables with storage
• Above kitchen cabinets
• Behind doors (using over-door organizers)
• Inside suitcases (for storing seasonal items)
• Vertical space in closets (with hanging organizers)

This hack works because it utilizes space that would otherwise go to waste, without making your home feel more cluttered.

10. Use Technology to Organize Digital and Physical Items

Modern organization extends beyond physical spaces into our digital lives, which can help reduce physical clutter as well.

Technology for organization:

• Use a digital calendar that syncs across devices
• Take photos of children's artwork instead of keeping every piece
• Scan important documents and store digitally (with backups)
• Use home inventory apps like Nestly to track belongings
• Set up automatic bill payments to reduce paper mail
• Use digital notes for shopping lists and to-dos

This approach reduces paper clutter while keeping information accessible whenever you need it.

Making These Hacks Work for Your Home

The most important aspect of any organizational system is sustainability. Rather than trying to implement all ten hacks at once, choose one or two that address your biggest pain points. Once those become habits, add more.

Remember that organization is not about perfection—it's about creating systems that make your life easier and your home more functional. The best organizational system is one that works with your lifestyle, not against it.

With Nestly's home management features, you can track inventory, maintain to-do lists, and create reminders for organizational tasks—making it even easier to maintain the systems you create.