The Reality of Family Life
If you’re like most families, clutter isn’t from lack of effort — it’s from lack of time.
Between school, work, meals, and everyday life, things pile up faster than you can say “Where does this go?”
But here’s the good news: you don’t need expensive storage systems or endless free time to create calm.
You just need smart, simple hacks that make it easy for your whole family to stay organised — even on the busiest days.
Let’s dive into some of the easiest, budget-friendly ways to keep every room tidy (without the stress).
1. Baskets Are Your Best Friend
There’s a reason professional organisers love baskets — they’re versatile, affordable, and family-proof.
Use them everywhere:
- Living room: corral remote controls, blankets, and toys.
- Entryway: keep shoes and bags off the floor.
- Kitchen: group snacks, bottles, and cleaning supplies.
- Bathrooms: store toiletries, rolled towels, and toilet paper.
🪄 Home Tidy tip: Stick to one or two neutral colours to keep things looking calm and cohesive, even when life isn’t.
2. Go Vertical
When you can’t spread out, go up!
Using wall space clears your floors and makes your home feel instantly tidier.
Try this:
- Add hooks behind doors or in hallways for coats and bags.
- Install floating shelves for books, baskets, or decor.
- Use over-the-door organisers for shoes, cleaning products, or craft supplies.
💡 Pro tip: In kids’ rooms, hang storage low enough that they can reach it — independence + fewer piles for you.
3. Create “Homes” for Everyday Items
Clutter builds when things don’t have a clear place to live.
Take five minutes and give your most-used items a home — somewhere logical and easy.
- School supplies → basket by the table.
- Keys and mail → tray near the door.
- Cords and chargers → labelled drawer or box.
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s making it obvious where things go, so everyone can help keep it that way.
4. Use Hidden Storage Wherever You Can
Smart storage doesn’t have to be fancy — just functional.
- Under-bed boxes for extra bedding or out-of-season clothes.
- Storage ottomans for toys or blankets.
- Benches with built-in compartments in entryways or play areas.
These hacks give you instant storage without adding clutter.
✨ Small tweak, big impact: Store the prettiest items where you can see them — everything else goes behind a lid or door.
5. Contain the Chaos in the Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the biggest clutter magnets — but a few clever tools can change that.
- Lazy Susans make corners functional (great for spices or condiments).
- Clear bins in the fridge keep snacks visible and easy to grab.
- Stackable containers save cupboard space and stop avalanche moments.
💡 Bonus hack: Keep a “clutter basket” on the counter for random bits. Empty it at the end of each day.
6. Make It Easy to Reset
Even the best storage systems don’t help if they’re hard to maintain.
The trick? Make it faster to tidy than to leave things out.
Try this:
- Keep one basket per room for quick nightly clean-ups.
- Do a two-minute reset before bed — clear surfaces, return baskets, done.
- Get the whole family involved — tidying isn’t a solo sport.
💬 Family mantra: “We leave it how we want to find it.”
Final Thought
Creating a clutter-free home doesn’t mean living in a showroom.
It means designing systems that fit your real life — messy, busy, beautiful chaos and all.
Start small. One basket, one shelf, one room.
Before you know it, those little changes will add up to a calmer, lighter home you can actually enjoy.
Because when everything has a place, you have more space to breathe.
Want More?
Check out my storage solutuions for every space — packed with simple routines and realistic organisation ideas for busy homes.