When you first moved into your new Dallas apartment, you were probably surrounded by boxes galore and wondering how on earth you had managed to accumulate so much stuff over the years. Now that things have begun to settle down and you’re all unpacked, it’s time to start getting organized. Not sure where to begin? Here are 8 simple but pretty incredible hacks to help you channel your inner Martha Stewart and become an organization ninja (or something like that).
Start Small – Unless you were lucky enough to be born with the inherent ability to organize, taking on such a significant project can feel overwhelming. Don’t do too much too quickly. Start small, even if it’s just organizing your mail and other paperwork. Tackle each room one at a time and don’t expect to get everything done in one day. Take your time and before you know it, you’ll be crossing the finish line.
Be Logical – Start by grouping like items together and sorting your things in a way that is logical and sensible. When organizing your bedroom, for example, keep the clothing you wear more often easily accessible and store other items away until you need them. In the kitchen, store commonly used cookware where you can quickly and easily grab it. Repeat in each room using this methodology.
Everything in its Place – Once you’ve figured out where to put everything, designate an area of your home for each thing and stick to it. For instance, if towels belong in the linen closet, make sure that’s where you always put them. It may seem like a chore when you’re tired after a long day, but sticking to this system will help keep your apartment clutter-free and ensure that you’ll always know where to find whatever you need at a moment’s notice.
Don’t Be Afraid to Purge – As you’re going through and organizing all your belongings, chances are you’ll come across more than a few things you simply don’t need or use anymore. Rather than allowing these items to take up valuable storage space, consider letting a few of them go. If possible, donate nice, usable items to charity. Anything else not worth donating should be recycled or tossed.
Utilize Every Square Foot – Most Dallas apartments are pretty roomy, but those that are on the smaller side may require some creativity in the use of space. Use things like wall shelving to remove clutter from tables and furniture and hanging racks behind doors to provide the opportunity for additional storage. For example, a repurposed over-the-door shoe rack can provide a convenient place to store bathroom products without the need to use up additional space.
Establish a Command Center – This is a fancy name for the spot in your apartment where all of your critical daily essential items should remain at all times when not in use. This includes your keys, your wallet, your sunglasses and any other item you use on a daily basis. By defining and sticking to one central location for these things, you’ll never have to worry about losing them, not to mention the wasted time and aggravation that comes with having to search for them.
Set a Daily Routine – A solid daily routine is the backbone to a highly organized home. Like a central command center, establish a plan for how you will deal with things in your day-to-day life that might otherwise lead to clutter, such as sorting the mail. For example, make it a habit to go through your mail as soon as you get home from work, filing away items of importance and tossing the junk right away.
Think Before You Buy – There’s really no point in spending your time and energy organizing your Dallas apartment if you’re only going to keep bringing more stuff in. Sure, you’ll need to buy new things from time to time, but if you’re not careful, you’re going to end up right back where you started. Make wise buying decisions and remember to stick to the plan with every new item you bring into your home.
You don’t have to have your own show on the DIY Network to become an organization guru. All you have to do is have a plan to follow and then set your mind to the task. The tips above should help get your Dallas apartment and your life running like a well-oiled machine.
