The Best Way to Tackle a Home Organizing Project (Without Losing Your Mind!)
Hi! I am Karen from Organizing-Etc., and I am a professional home organizer in Kansas City. I declutter and organize in Leawood, KS; Overland Park, KS; Prairie Village, KS; Lees Summit, KS; and Mission Hills, KS!
Let’s be real—tackling a home organizing project can feel like trying to climb a mountain—in flip-flops!
But with the right game plan, it doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. In fact, it can be downright satisfying. After working with countless homeowners in Kansas City, I’ve seen what works, what flops, and how to make organizing stick.
Here’s the best way to get your home in order without breaking a sweat (or at least, not too much of one!)
1. Start with a Plan
Before you go all-in with bins and labels, pause for a sec. What spaces drive you the craziest? Which areas feel like black holes of clutter? Prioritize what matters most and make a game plan.
One family wanted to get their garage under control first so they could stop tripping over sports gear before moving on to their kitchen. Smart move! Focusing on one area at a time kept them from getting overwhelmed and actually made the process feel doable.
2. Declutter First, Organize Second
A huge mistake we see? People trying to organize clutter instead of just getting rid of it. Before you invest in fancy storage solutions, take a hard look at what you own. Do you actually need it? Do you even like it? If not, let it go!
We recently helped a homeowner sort through years of accumulated “stuff,” and once we cleared out the excess, we freed up nearly 40% more space—without adding a single extra bin. That’s the magic of decluttering first.
3. Group Similar Things Together
Once you’ve decluttered, the next step is grouping like items together. This makes it way easier to find what you need and stops you from buying duplicates in the future.
Recently, we organized a pantry overflowing with expired snacks and three open bags of rice. Once we pulled everything out and sorted it—canned goods in one spot, baking supplies in another—finding what they needed became a breeze. No more mystery food items shoved in the back!
4. Choose Storage That Works for YOU
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to organizing. Some people love labeled bins, others need open shelving. The trick is picking what matches your lifestyle.
For one busy family, we ditched the lidded bins in favor of open bins and labeled baskets so their kids could grab (and put away) their own toys. Less stress for the parents, and the playroom actually stayed tidy. Win-win.
5. Keep It Simple (Because Complicated Systems Fail)
The hardest part of organizing isn’t getting everything in order—it’s keeping it that way. The key? Simple systems that don’t require a ton of effort.
One couple kept losing their keys, mail, and bags in their chaotic entryway. We set them up with a few hooks, a shoe rack, and a small tray for mail. Boom—problem solved with minimal effort. Now, with a quick daily reset, their space stays neat without much thought.
6. Tackle One Space at a Time
Trying to overhaul your entire home in one weekend? That’s a fast track to exhaustion. Instead, focus on one area at a time and build momentum.
We worked with a client who started with their closet before moving on to other rooms. Once they saw how much better their mornings felt with an organized wardrobe, they were hooked and ready to tackle the rest of the house.
7. Get a Second Opinion (Sometimes, You Just Need Fresh Eyes)
If you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s a friend, a professional, or just someone to give you a reality check. For instance, an friend might ask - “Do you really need 27 coffee mugs?"
An outside perspective can work wonders. We’ve helped so many clients who just needed that extra nudge to get started. Once they got past the initial overwhelm, keeping things organized became second nature.
Ready to Finally Get Your Home in Order?
Every home is different, but the core principles of organizing stay the same:
make a plan
declutter first
sort by category
choose storage that fits your lifestyle
keep it simple.
Whether you’re tackling one closet or your entire house, these steps will help you create a space that’s not just tidy but actually functional—and way less stressful to maintain.
The author of this article is Karen Swart, Professional Home Organizer, Kansas City.
Karen and her team have served hundreds of Kansas City homeowners to live a more organized and simplified life, one space at a time.
Check out more at www.organizing-etc.com
GET IN TOUCH WITH US!
Organizing-Etc. offers professional home organizing in Kansas City, specifically the Leawood, KS; Overland Park, KS; Prairie Village, KS; Lees Summit, KS; and Mission Hills, KS neighborhoods.