1. Home & Garden

Discuss in my forum

Organizing Tip: Group Like Items Together

By , About.com Guide

Organizing Tip: Group Like Items Together

Organize your home by grouping like items together.

Tom Grill / Getty Images
Organizing is not brain surgery: it's grouping like items, by function, and storing them together. This is why organizing your jewelry collection is much easier than organizing your kitchen cupboard: rings go with rings; necklaces hang together, while your rice cooker is a lone wolf in your kitchen cabinet (Hint: it should be stored in your kitchen cabinet based on use).
  • For some people this is a natural inclination. (Hint: If you tend to create piles, this will most likely come very naturally to you.) Once you start, you will see how easy it is to carve out and assign space for everything in your home.
  • For others it will take some work, but the benefits are worth making this a home organization habit. If you're having trouble, consider hiring a professional organizer who will guide you through the process and suggest how to keep this regimen going after they've left.
Examples:
  • Even if you lack a linen closet, store sheets with sheets and pillow cases with pillow cases. This will make it easy when it's time to change the bedding.
  • Grouping magazines together cuts down on clutter and creates a got-to spot to quickly grab reading material.
  • Storing more rarefied or custom objects together will make them easier to find. Think about items like candlesticks, napkin rings and fancy cloth napkins. Grouping these items together will speed up the process of setting the table for Thanksgiving Dinner.
  • Keep your scarves in the same place. This way when you're running out the door you're not rooting around in your clothes closet, wardrobe or your entry way.

Bottom Line: Grouping like items together means you will always know where extra toilet paper is when you need it, and, added bonus, you'll know when you're running low!

MORE TOP ORGANIZING TIPS

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.