Houzz Call: What Brings You Organizing Satisfaction at Home?
Whether it's the mudroom, your office or a junk drawer, share your favorite organizing projects and tips
Becky Harris
2 November 2022
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
As the days get shorter, the temperatures drop and the holiday madness is still a little way off, it’s a great time of year to tackle some organizing projects. Whether it’s cleaning out that pantry to make room for Thanksgiving supplies, eking out some closet space for overnight guests or finally sorting that jumbled junk drawer, completing organizing challenges can save you time and reduce stress. What kinds of organizing projects bring you the most satisfaction? Please share your favorite organizational projects, tips and photos of your accomplishments in the Comments.
Organizing Food
Kitchen cabinets, shelves and pantries are always a big challenge. Perhaps this is the season you’ll put your staples in easy-to-stack containers, find the right spice organizer or come up with another new way to store and access your ingredients.
Your turn: Has a particular organizational system or tool been a game changer in your kitchen?
Shop for kitchen storage and organization products
Kitchen cabinets, shelves and pantries are always a big challenge. Perhaps this is the season you’ll put your staples in easy-to-stack containers, find the right spice organizer or come up with another new way to store and access your ingredients.
Your turn: Has a particular organizational system or tool been a game changer in your kitchen?
Shop for kitchen storage and organization products
Organizing Dressers
Until Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, demonstrated a new way to do it, the art of folding T-shirts wasn’t much of a discussion. But for those who’ve read her books or watched her TV show, it can spark joy and passion.
Your turn: Does a neatly organized dresser drawer cut down on the time it takes you to pick out an outfit and get dressed? And does it inspire you to do a neater job when folding laundry?
Find a local professional organizer on Houzz
Until Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, demonstrated a new way to do it, the art of folding T-shirts wasn’t much of a discussion. But for those who’ve read her books or watched her TV show, it can spark joy and passion.
Your turn: Does a neatly organized dresser drawer cut down on the time it takes you to pick out an outfit and get dressed? And does it inspire you to do a neater job when folding laundry?
Find a local professional organizer on Houzz
Organizing Office Drawers
Frantically fumbling through a desk drawer looking for a stapler, thumb drive or a pen that actually works can be very frustrating. But sorting a drawer or two and finding good solutions doesn’t take long. And it pays off later in the time it saves and the stress you’ll avoid.
Your turn: Do you have a particular organizing accomplishment that has reduced the stress in your life?
Frantically fumbling through a desk drawer looking for a stapler, thumb drive or a pen that actually works can be very frustrating. But sorting a drawer or two and finding good solutions doesn’t take long. And it pays off later in the time it saves and the stress you’ll avoid.
Your turn: Do you have a particular organizing accomplishment that has reduced the stress in your life?
Organizing Bathroom Storage
Confronting a jumble of old hotel lotions, makeup that’s past its prime and expired medications can be overwhelming. But taking it one drawer or medicine cabinet at a time and being ruthless in your purging can be satisfying. It can also save you money when you finally decide to use all the travel-size shampoos and shaving kits that have been filling up your drawers.
Your turn: Do you have any special toiletry organizing tricks or tools?
Browse bathroom organizers in the Houzz Shop
Confronting a jumble of old hotel lotions, makeup that’s past its prime and expired medications can be overwhelming. But taking it one drawer or medicine cabinet at a time and being ruthless in your purging can be satisfying. It can also save you money when you finally decide to use all the travel-size shampoos and shaving kits that have been filling up your drawers.
Your turn: Do you have any special toiletry organizing tricks or tools?
Browse bathroom organizers in the Houzz Shop
Organizing Spaces for Hobbies
The colder months are a good time to explore indoor hobbies. In the weaving space shown here, the rainbow organizational system transforms supply storage into an artful view.
Your turn: What kinds of hobbies do you enjoy, and how do you keep your supplies organized?
The colder months are a good time to explore indoor hobbies. In the weaving space shown here, the rainbow organizational system transforms supply storage into an artful view.
Your turn: What kinds of hobbies do you enjoy, and how do you keep your supplies organized?
Organizing Closets
Perfectly staged photos of large walk-in closets can make us want to throw up our hands and lament that we’ll never have a space like that. But they can also inspire ideas such as purchasing space-saving hangers, organizing clothing by color or hanging an iconic fashion photo inside.
Your turn: How do you tackle closet organization? Do you have any advice for maintaining your system after the big clean-out?
Hire a custom closet designer
Perfectly staged photos of large walk-in closets can make us want to throw up our hands and lament that we’ll never have a space like that. But they can also inspire ideas such as purchasing space-saving hangers, organizing clothing by color or hanging an iconic fashion photo inside.
Your turn: How do you tackle closet organization? Do you have any advice for maintaining your system after the big clean-out?
Hire a custom closet designer
Organizing the Junk Drawer
The thing about junk drawers is that the name is a misnomer. The stuff in there was useful at some point. And then it wasn’t, because you threw it in there and forgot about it (think corroded batteries, expired coupons and dried-out Sharpies). Once the junk is purged and the useful items are easily accessible, it’s can be an asset in helping your house run smoothly.
Your turn: What’s in your junk drawer and how do you keep everything organized?
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
The thing about junk drawers is that the name is a misnomer. The stuff in there was useful at some point. And then it wasn’t, because you threw it in there and forgot about it (think corroded batteries, expired coupons and dried-out Sharpies). Once the junk is purged and the useful items are easily accessible, it’s can be an asset in helping your house run smoothly.
Your turn: What’s in your junk drawer and how do you keep everything organized?
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
Your turn: What types of organizational projects do you find the most rewarding? Please share your favorites, your best tricks and photos of your organizational accomplishments in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about organizing
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
More on Houzz
Read more stories about organizing
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
Related Stories
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Midcentury Home With a Strong Indoor-outdoor Link
By Becky Harris
A nature-inspired renovation has given this ranch house a relaxed mood and a connection to the outdoors from most rooms
Full Story
Kitchens
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Gardens
5 Inspiring Before and After Garden Transformations
Check out what a difference designers have made to these once dull plots, visually expanding spaces and creating privacy
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Renovating
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Another spice idea. The shelf beside the stove.
I realized after a hurricane damaged part of our home, I had too much! Before the storm everything was organized. Because it was put away neatly I didnt realize how much we had and didnt need. Now if I dont use it, goodbye!
I've always been neat and organized, it comes naturally. Never have I appreciated these traits as much as now that we live in a small home. I tell people its like living on a boat. :<) Even though I don't hang onto unused items in any part of the house, twice a year when I clean, purge and organize there are always items to discard. How does that happen?? Standing in my closet, doing a 360 to admire the latest purge, clean & organize is most satisfying. Taking everything out of the pantry, filling a donation bag with a few left-over special occasion paper plates, an extra generic flower vase that can go, and other items is a close second in satisfaction.