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The holidays are over, the decorations are put away, and New Year’s resolutions have been made.  Was your resolution to get your home organized in 2018?  Holidays have the tendency to leave our homes in disarray, and the start of the New Year is a great time to get a fresh perspective on getting it together in your living space.  While we’re already a couple of weeks into January, it’s not too late to keep that promise to yourself.  Here are some wonderful strategies and suggestions to get your home in order and keep it that way throughout the coming year.

 

Start by Making a Plan

The mess didn’t get there overnight, which means you aren’t going to conquer it overnight.  Don’t let the feeling that organization is an ongoing (or overwhelming) project keep you from getting started.  The first step is to figure out which areas of your home are in the greatest need of an organizational makeover.  Choose the three most cluttered areas to concentrate on first – these could be your linen closet, your garage and your home office, for example.

 

Create a Schedule of Small Goals

Okay, let’s say you want to organize your home office but don’t have the foggiest idea where to start.  Begin by choosing a few small goals to achieve and set a deadline for completing them.  For your home workspace, this could include cleaning out the drawers of your desk and reorganizing your office supplies, devising a better filing system for your important home papers, or even getting your 2016 receipts in order for your taxes.  Write down what you want to accomplish and stick to your deadlines.  Enlist the help of family members to help you complete each task, especially if they also regularly use the space.  If everyone is invested in organizational success, you’ll have a greater chance of reaching your goals on time.

 

Donate Unused Items

It can be hard to part with your personal possessions, but if it is something you don’t use, don’t need, have duplicates of or is in disrepair consider donating it to a local charity (or pitching it if it is beyond mending).  Clearing out clutter is a great way to get a fresh perspective on your home and frees you up from having to organize and maintain those items. 

 

Get Help

Perhaps you aren’t the kind of person who is naturally inclined to keep a clean and organized home.  There is no shame in asking for help.  Help can come in the form of a caring friend who is willing to donate a few hours of their time to help you go through the boxes in your garage in exchange for coffee and snacks.  If that isn’t an option, consider hiring a professional organizer or cleaning person who can help in the areas where you need it most.

 

Keep It Maintained

Once you’ve gotten your home organized, you do need to put in a little effort to keep it that way.  A mere hour or two a week is all it takes to keep things clean and maintained.  Once you’ve got your home in order, it becomes a place that is comfortable and provides an escape.  While it may take a little time and effort up front, you’ll reap the rewards year round and find that next holiday season you can move on to a new resolution!