As we all know, the start of a new year is a great time to get organized and declutter our lives. It’s a chance to get rid of the old and make room for the new (both literally and figuratively). If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of getting organized, you aren’t alone – we’ve all been there. But don’t worry, because we’re here to help you get started with some simple, easy ways to organize five common areas in your home:

‘Tupperware’ Cupboard

If you’re anything like us, your food storage container cabinet is probably a disaster. It’s almost like a black hole. Things go in together but somehow either a lid or a container mysteriously vanishes. Good organization can stop this phenomenon.

• First things first, get rid of any containers that are broken or have missing lids. These are just taking up space and causing clutter.
• Sort through the rest of your containers and lids, and try to match up as many as possible. If you can’t find a matching lid, it’s time to say goodbye to that container.
• As you’re sorting, consider getting rid of any containers that you no longer use or that are too small or too big for your needs.
• Once you’ve got everything sorted, consider investing in some organizing tools to help keep everything in its place. There are lots of options out there, like stackable Tupperware organizers or drawer organizers that can help you keep lids and containers separated.

Junk Drawer

We all have one – that infamous “junk drawer” that seems to accumulate everything and anything. But it doesn’t have to stay that way! Here’s how to tackle your junk drawer:

• Start by emptying out the entire drawer. This can be a bit overwhelming, but trust us, it’s worth it.
• Sort through everything in the drawer and decide what you want to keep and what can be tossed. Be ruthless here – if you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you won’t use it again.
• Once you’ve got everything sorted, think about adding dividers or small bins to keep things in their place. They can really help in keeping things from getting cluttered again.

Bathroom Cabinets

Bathroom cabinets can get messy quickly with all of the various products we use on a daily basis, especially if you have several people using the same bathroom.

• Start by taking everything out of the cabinet and sorting through it. Get rid of any products that are empty, expired, or that you no longer use. If you have old medication NEVER just throw it in the trash or flush it. Check with your local pharmacy or police department to find out if they have a medication disposal program.
• Use small containers or bins to help keep similar items together. For example, you could have one container for makeup, one for hair products, and one for skincare products.
• If you have a lot of products, consider using stackable organizers or bins to help make the most of your space.

Pantry

A cluttered pantry can be a recipe for disaster (pun intended). It’s hard to find what you need when everything is jumbled together, and it can lead to wasted food and money. Here’s how to get your pantry organized:

• Start by taking everything out of the pantry and sorting through it. Get rid of any expired or spoiled items, and consider donating any non- Once you’ve gotten rid of expired and unnecessary items, start organizing the items you’re keeping. Group similar items together (e.g. all of your canned goods, all of your dry goods, etc.) and consider using storage containers or bins to help keep everything in its place.
• If you have a lot of bags of chips, cereal, or other similar items, consider using small bins or containers to keep them organized and prevent them from getting crushed.
• Consider using stackable organizers or bins to help make the most of your space, especially if you have a smaller pantry.
• Use clear storage containers or bins to make it easy to see what you have and to help prevent wasted food.

Consider labeling your bins or containers to make it even easier to find what you’re looking for.

Closet

If your closet is cluttered and disorganized, it can be hard to find what you need and can make getting dressed in the morning a frustrating experience. Here’s how to get your closet in order:

• Start by taking everything out of the closet and sorting through it. Donate or toss any items that you no longer wear or that are in poor condition.
• As you’re sorting, group similar items together (e.g. all of your tops, all of your pants, etc.). This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
• If you have a lot of clothes, consider investing in some organizing tools like hangers with multiple layers or hanging organizers to help make the most of your space.
• Consider using storage bins or baskets to store items that you don’t use as frequently, such as seasonal clothing or extra bed linens.

This doesn’t all have to happen in one day. Take it slow, do a one thing at a time, and focus on the task at hand. Remember, the end result will be super gratifying! Happy organizing!