Alright, you’ve tidied your space and donated items that you no longer need...now what?  You may be thinking, “Maria, this is the part where we pop the bubbly and relax, right?”  By all means, yes!  However, there’s still one more thing to tackle...how do you keep it this way?

This may sound daunting, but trust me!  It’s not that hard, especially after we’ve taken the time to put a customized system in place, and will actually make your life much easier.  I’ve laid out five tips for keeping your organized space, well...organized!

Take five minutes a day to return things to their “home.”  This is the biggest tip I can share on how to maintain your space.  Five minutes a day is just thirty five minutes a week, so instead of watching that TV episode, think of how much better you will sleep if your space is not piling up.

Keep a basket by the stairs for items that need to go up (or down). Rather than making several trips (unless you like to get in the steps!) you can fill this basket throughout the day with items that need to go up, saving you time and energy!

Double-check inventory prior to shopping. Once a system is put in place, we often have a labeled basket or bin dedicated to a specific category. If things are already starting to overflow, no sense in adding to them. Consider eating down your pantry staples prior to replenishing. Get creative in the kitchen by having a Chopped cooking competition with the fam. 

Set a reminder to modify your subscriptions. Call me crazy, but I have a monthly reminder on my calendar to check my Amazon Subscribe-and-Save. One month of forgetting had me receiving all 13 of my subscriptions, many of which were not needed. That is not something I want to repeat month after month. So whether it is Amazon, Grove Collaborative or your clothing rental service, take the time to ensure you NEED what is being sent prior to the deadline. 

Get your entire family involved.  Set a timer, turn on an awesome playlist, and tidy up for just five minutes together before dinner.  Make a game out of it and have fun with one another while you’re organizing!  If kids are involved, I always recommend working to label bins and baskets so they can easily assist.  Try keeping your categories general like balls, things with wheels, play kitchen, etc. and let them help put items away after they’ve finished playing for the day.

Bonus Tip: Keep a Donation Bin in your garage. Add to it as often as you run across items that no longer serve a purpose in your home. Once it’s full, stick it in your car and donate it to an organization in need. And then pat yourself on the back. 

So, what do you say?  Start your playlist (here’s one of our favorite family-friendly playlists), grab your kiddos (or, if it’s just you, show off your best moves with a little dance party!), and get busy for the next five minutes!

The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. She has twin two year olds who seem to have inherited her love of organizing…and promises to report back in about 15 years to let you know if it still seems that way.

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