No two homes are the same. Let the judgment fade away and experience joy in your home

Imagine an organized world. A world where shoes are tucked neatly in bedroom closets, where crackers are stacked in canisters that never topple, where hats and jackets are placed on hooks in order of size.

Ahhh... if only our homes looked and functioned like this. If only our families allowed this fantasy to become our reality. We would feel such joy.

Would we, though? What brings us real joy? I’d venture to guess that it’s not a home that maintains itself. Deep down, what we each want is a warm place where our families thrive and our individual dreams can be realized.

After organizing hundreds of homes, I’ve learned that no two clients are the same. Each woman and family have habits and lifestyles and needs and dreams to take into consideration when setting up customized systems. I take their needs into consideration primarily to make it easier for them to maintain what we’ve organized, containerized, and labeled.

Yet I’ve found it goes deeper. I’ve seen the validation in my clients’ eyes when I ask them where they prefer to keep the Play-Doh. I’ve heard the relief in their voice when we place a decorative basket in the foyer for shoes. There’s pure joy when we attach a Command hook to the closet door for the morning “thrown on for the bus stop” clothing.

The key is to appreciate the way that the client has been running her home until now. I’m not here to upend everything that she’s already created. I’m here to streamline it and make it easier for her to function within that space. Ultimately, the home will continue to be an expression of her.

Let’s look at a few areas and the variety of ways they can be systemized. Your job, dear reader, is to discern what can work for your home.

The Candy Corner

Candy displayed in matching jars and baskets invites adults and children alike to partake of the sticky goodness.

Nosh stored on a low shelf in the pantry so little tots aren’t tempted to climb or schlep stools to reach the goodies from a high shelf and because hey, maybe if they see it all the time, they won’t want it as much....

Pantry Perfection

Uniform canisters look stunning, snacks stay super fresh, and maintenance is a breeze because you truly enjoy lining up cookies in alternating concentric circles.

Decorative baskets to contain broad categories such as snacks, crackers, cereal, and nosh. Hides the disarray of mismatched boxes of cereal but since the turnaround of food in your house is just too quick, this works for you!

Toy Turbulence

Magna-Tiles lined up by shape AND by color, placed in acrylic bins, because you have the time, patience, ability, and desire to have a magnificently maintained playroom.

A toy container large enough to accommodate rows and rows of attached Clics because breaking them apart as your kids clean up isn’t on the agenda.

Have a separate Lego and Playmobil room with a door that is kept closed. At all times. No excuses.

Clothing Quandary

Stacked containers in the attic clearly labeled with clothing for the next boy or girl to be born in the family, nieces and nephews included, varying from preemie size to extra shayne coats.

Whatever can potentially fit your children within the next year stored on top of the bedroom closet, labeled “Next Season.”

Stored clothing? You don’t have any. You donate it all at the end of the season.

Stocked Up

The heavy-duty shelving in the garage is stocked to capacity with dry goods and the Costco closet off the kitchen has enough food to feed your family and multitude of guests for the next four months.

Instacart, Prime Now, and the grocery down the block are your extended pantry. You either don’t have the space to stock up or prefer to live the “less is more” lifestyle.

You store just enough to fill the upper shelves on the kitchen cabinets and have a spare shampoo or two because you DO go to the grocery every week and since Covid, there’s been no shortage of staples!

Your home is your castle — it’s a unique expression of your individuality. Accept yourself for who you are and set up your spaces with your unique interests in mind, taking your strengths and weaknesses into consideration. No two homes are the same. Let the judgment fade away and experience joy in your home.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 924)