How I Organize Every Space in My Home (Even with a Toddler Tornado Running Around)

Let’s be honest—between running my business, managing life as a single mom, and trying to keep a curious three-year-old from redecorating the house with stickers and cereal crumbs, organization doesn’t always come naturally. Most days, it feels like I’m just trying to survive the chaos. But I’ve learned over time that a little structure goes a long way—and organizing your space doesn’t have to be this huge, stressful thing.

I’m not a professional organizer, and I don’t live in a Pinterest-perfect house. I live in a real house, with a real toddler, real messes, and a very real love for order... once I can get to it. So if you're reading this and thinking, “I don’t even know where to start,” you are 1000% in the right place.

This is the simple system I’ve developed after trial, error, tears, and tiny shoes hidden in random kitchen drawers. It works in every space—from a messy drawer to an entire room. You don’t need fancy containers or a big budget. You just need to start small, keep it real, and give yourself some grace.

Let’s dive in. Here’s how I organize any space in 8 doable steps:

1. Take Everything Out (Yep, All of It)

It might feel counterproductive, especially when time is tight and energy is low, but clearing the space completely is where the magic begins. You’ve got to see what you’re working with.

When I tackled Sofia’s closet, I took out everything. And I mean everything—even that random sock that had somehow ended up in the toy bin. Starting with a blank slate helps me see what actually belongs there and what’s just clutter in disguise.

Now, if it’s a bigger area—like a whole room—break it down. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Maybe just start with the nightstand today and the closet tomorrow. Micro-steps count, and they build real momentum.

2. Declutter Like a Boss (a Tired, Determined Boss)

This is where I channel my inner Marie Kondo—minus the whispering and joyful folding techniques.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I use this regularly?

• Is it broken, worn out, or just taking up space?

• Would I even notice if it disappeared?

If it’s a no, toss it, donate it, or sell it. I used to hold onto SO many “just in case” items. But let me tell you, “someday” rarely comes—and when it does, you’ve probably already forgotten where you put that thing anyway.

Also, don’t forget: some things don’t need to be tossed—they just need to be moved. If you find baking sheets in the bathroom cabinet (yes, it’s happened), just relocate them. Give everything a home where it actually makes sense.

3. Group Like with Like (Because Scattered = Stress)

This step saves so much time and sanity. As you’re sorting things out, start grouping similar items together.

When I organized our tiny bathroom cabinet, I put all hair products in one pile, skincare in another, first-aid stuff in another. Suddenly, I could actually see what I had—and how much duplicate junk I’d unknowingly hoarded. (Do I need five types of dry shampoo? Debatable.)

This makes the next step so much easier and helps you stay realistic about what kind of storage solution will work best.

4. Contain the Chaos (on a Budget)

Once you’ve grouped your items, it’s time to corral them into containers. And no, you don’t need to rush to The Container Store and drop $200.

I use what I already have—shoe boxes, dollar store bins, even old diaper boxes dressed up with contact paper. I’ve made things work with mason jars, drawer dividers, and a surprising number of IKEA zip-top bags.

The goal here isn’t to make it look Instagram-perfect. It’s to make it make sense. Bonus points if it’s cute, but function comes first. (Although I do love a cute bin when I can find one on sale.)

5. Label Everything (Seriously, Label It)

Okay, this is where my inner nerd comes out. I love a good label. It keeps me accountable and saves my sanity when I’m trying to find that one tiny thing at 7AM before coffee.

You don’t need a fancy label maker (though I love mine). A piece of masking tape and a Sharpie? Works just as well. I’ve even printed out pretty labels and stuck them on with clear tape when I wanted to feel a little extra.

Labeling helps everyone in the house know what goes where. Even Sofia is learning where her crayons and puzzles go thanks to the big, bold picture labels I taped to her bins.

6. Refill the Space Intentionally

Now that everything’s sorted, stored, and labeled, it’s time to put it all back. But not just anywhere.

I always put the most-used items in the easiest-to-reach places. Daily items go front and center. Rarely used stuff gets tucked away in harder-to-reach spots—like high shelves or under-bed bins.

Remember: every item should have a home. No more “junk drawers” filled with mystery cables and expired coupons. If it’s worth keeping, it’s worth giving a proper space.

7. Train Yourself to Maintain It

This is the hard part, I’ll be honest. But hear me out—organization is less about doing a big clean-up and more about tiny habits repeated daily.

I’ve had to train myself (and now I’m training my daughter!) to put things back where they belong right away. Not “later,” not “after I finish this one thing,” but now.

Visual reminders help—like sticky notes that say “Put it back” on the fridge or by the front door. I even made a fun printable reminder chart with Sofia so we could check things off and make it a little game. (She loves stickers—so that helps!)

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot

If something isn’t working, change it.

There’ve been so many times where I tried a system that looked great in theory but was a complete mess in practice. Like when I stacked three lidded bins under the kitchen sink and realized I had to play Jenga every time I needed a sponge.

I ended up switching to a pull-out drawer system, and it made life so much easier.

You’re not failing if your organizing method doesn’t stick. You’re learning. Tweak it. Simplify it. Make it work for you and your life as it is now.

Final Thoughts (From a Real Mom, Not a Perfectionist)

If you’re overwhelmed by your home and the clutter, I see you. I’ve been there. Heck, I’m still there sometimes. But I promise you this—every time you take five minutes to organize something, you’re not just tidying up a drawer. You’re creating peace. You’re making room for calm. You’re building a home that supports the kind of life you want.

So start small. One shelf. One bin. One drawer. And celebrate every little win, because it does add up.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need a process that works—and now, you’ve got one.

Your Turn: What space in your house is begging for a little organizing love? Drop it in the comments or tag me on Instagram—I’d love to cheer you on. 💛

A Few of My Favorite Organization & Cleaning Finds on Amazon 🧼✨

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