"Organizing doesn't just make your home pretty. Clearing clutter and getting organized helps your life run more smoothly, which means you can cut back on stress and enjoy every moment just a little bit more. In this magazine, organizing expert Jen Jones of @iheartorganizing shares her best tips and tricks for decluttering and whipping your home into shape once and for all. From practical tips for how to prep for your next organizing project (plus tons of free checklists and worksheets to help you get started) to cleaning must-haves to room-by-room organizing hacks, Jen's expert advice will help you get there one step at a time."
5 THINGS YOU CAN DO IN 5 Minutes or Less
Ready, Set, Organize!
THE Basics
HOW TO GEAR UP FOR Your Next Organizing Project
HOW TO BECOME AN Organized Person • Just follow these 18 essential tips and tricks, and you’ll be living a more organized life in no time.
LABELING 101 • Labeling is definitely a personal preference that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all rule. The main goal is to create easy identification, whether that’s for safety purposes or to keep your household on the same page.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO Storage Containers • While some storage solutions can be beautiful and fun to buy (who doesn’t love a new set of matching bins!), your needs are constantly evolving which means you need storage containers that are versatile and lasting. So before you buy all new baskets and bins, here are four rules for creating effective storage systems:
BUT FIRST, Cleaning
10 RULES FOR A Well-Kept Home
MUST-HAVE Cleaning Gear • When it comes to chores, having the right gear for the job makes all the difference.
HOW TO MAKE Homemade Cleaning Recipes • Making your own cleaning solutions has a whole lot of benefits, from saving money at the store to knowing they’re safe for your family and completely chemical-free.
ROOM-BY-ROOM Organizing
DECLUTTER YOUR Kitchen • With so many oddly-shaped kitchen tools, it’s all too easy for drawers to become cluttered, and many storebought drawer organizers aren’t quite right because they depend so much on your exact mix of utensils and gear. That’s why DIYing your own is a smart solution. Line drawers with contact paper, then measure and cut 3-inch oak hobby boards to size using straight, simple cuts. Adhere the pieces together with clear construction glue. Once dry, gently wedge it in place inside your drawer and return your tools to their customized compartments.
GET A STREAK-FREE CLEAN • Keep stainless steel appliances free of fingerprints, streaks, and smudges with the help of these go-to products. (Tip: Always clean stainless steel in the direction of the grain.)
ORGANIZE YOUR Closets
Put Jewelry on Display • Displaying necklaces on a DIY linen-covered cork board in your closet is a win-win solution: It’ll keep them from getting tangled and allow you to see your entire collection at once—which means you’ll be far more likely to pick out a playful accessory to add to your look as you’re choosing your outfit for the day.
STREAMLINE YOUR Bathroom • Don’t underestimate the power of a medicine cabinet—it helps free up precious counter and drawer space, which means you’ll have more room to store things like towels and toilet paper rolls out of sight.
DEEP-CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES • If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes, here is your reminder. Follow these steps and repeat every few months to keep them in tip-top shape.
CORRAL YOUR Kids’ Stuff • Treat your child’s stuffed animals like one big happy family and stash them together in a flexible rope basket with handles.
TAME YOUR Junk Drawers • The contents of a junk drawer should be considered useful; however, these types of drawers often become a...
