Whether you’re super organized, a hot mess, or somewhere in between, most of us have a space in our home where the clutter has taken over. You know what I’m talking about–the junk drawer that jams, that closet you have to throw your hip into to close, a garage with everything in it except a car, or the attic that you pretend doesn’t exist. 

This article will cover the following topics to help you get your home in order: 

  • Why it’s important to have an organized home, free of hidden disaster zones and messy storage spaces  
  • Decluttering tips to help you decide what to keep and what to get rid of 
  • Valuable advice for how to organize your storage space in a way that is both functional and sustainable (so the mess doesn’t sneak up on you again) 
  • How you can use stylish storage solutions to organize in a way that adds beauty to your home 

Why is Organization Important? 

Humans function better and feel better in an organized environment. This isn’t just something that your mom told you when you were a kid to convince you to clean your room, it’s scientifically proven. According to research published in the Journal of Neuroscience “Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganization drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus”. An article published by Stanford University found that people are “less irritable, more productive, distracted less often, and able to process information better with an uncluttered and organized home”. Clutter is also bad for our mental health, clutter can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. 

Tips for Decluttering 

Grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and a trash bag, it’s time to declutter. The first step to organizing your garage, attic, closet, or cabinet is getting rid of things that you don’t need. Some items are no-brainers while others will leave you stuck on the fence. Every situation is unique, but these tips for decluttering will help guide you through the process. 

Did you even remember it was in there? 

When you’re digging through old boxes, you’ll probably find items that you forgot you even had. Initially you might feel excited and be tempted to keep it, but if you didn’t even realize it was in there then it’s probably not worth keeping.  

Know the Difference between Sentimental Value and Nostalgia 

Old photos, family heirlooms, and items that truly hold sentimental value should be kept. However, it’s easy to confuse nostalgia with sentimental value. Old toys, knick-knacks, and other things that spark memories but have no purpose or deep seeded value should be tossed out. 

Let Someone Else Love it! 

If you have items that you are keeping just because you would feel guilty throwing them away, like nice furniture that you don’t have a place for or clothing that doesn’t fit, there is a third option—donate! There’s no point in letting something collect dust when it could serve a purpose and knowing that someone else will love the item makes letting go easier. 

Organizing Storage Spaces 

When you’re down to the good stuff, it’s time to get organized. Your remaining items should fall into three categories: display, seasonal, and long-term storage.  

Display 

You shouldn’t keep any décor items that you don’t like enough to display in your home. So, it’s time to find a place for lamps, vases, frames, and art that has been collecting dust, and if you can’t it’s time to say goodbye. 

Seasonal 

Holiday decorations, thick winter blankets, beach and lake gear, and other things that you only use for part of the year should be stored in categories based on season. These items should be easily accessible and always kept in the same place, so you don’t have to tear apart your house looking for them. 

Long-Term Storage 

Long-term storage items include sentimental items, photographs, and items that you will definitely use in the future.  

Stylish Storage Solutions 

If you use cardboard boxes or plastic containers to store your things, you have to stash them out of sight. If you have limited storage space, you might think that your only choice is to forget organization and cram stuff wherever you can. But what if you could store items throughout your home without it appearing cluttered? You can with stylish storage solutions—furniture and containers that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Let’s discuss some of the most useful pieces for stylish storage. 

Hutches & Display Cabinets 

It can be tempting to carefully bubble wrap and store valuable and fragile items like fine China, ceramics, or art, but what’s the point of owning these beautiful things if you and your guests don’t get to enjoy them? A quality display cabinet, curio, or hutch with glass cabinets adds an air of sophistication to any dining or living room and makes the perfect home for items that you would prefer people look at but not touch.   

Storage Chests & Armoires 

If you have a storage chest or armoire, there’s no need to pack up clothes from season to season. Adding a stylish chest or armoire to your bedroom or closet gives you quick access to all of your clothes, so you don’t have to go digging through your attic when there’s a cold snap. Additionally, clothes tend to get musty if they are stored in an attic or the garage. Keeping them in a climate-controlled, clean place in your home will keep them fresh, clean, and ready to wear. Storage chests and armoires are also useful for storing seasonal or extra bedding. 

Bookcases & Shelves 

Similar to hutches and display cabinets but for less “fine” items, bookcases and shelves take up little space in your home but can add so much to the look of a room. If you have old books or trinkets with sentimental value, display them on a shelf! Consider framing old photos and displaying them as well. When guests visit your home it’s fun to have interesting pieces that start conversation, so don’t be scared to put that bizarre knick-knack your grandmother gave you up on the shelf if you love it. 

Jewelry Cabinets 

Looking for a good way to store jewelry and accessories? Accessory and jewelry storage can be tricky because you don’t want your precious items to get tangled up or lost, but it’s impractical to dedicate too much space to small items, especially if you’re a fashionista with a big collection. A mirrored jewelry cabinet opens up to reveal hooks and drawers that keep your necklaces, accessories, bracelets, earrings, sunglasses, and hair accessories organized and out of sight.  

Shop Stylish Storage Pieces at Amish Elegance 

Amish Elegance has all the stylish storage pieces you need to keep your living room, bedroom, dining room, office, and every other room in your home organized. All our pieces are handmade from all-natural wood, so they are designed to last a lifetime (or multiple if you pass them down to your children). If you don’t see furniture in stock that meets your storage, size, or style needs, we can design and create a custom piece for you!  

Visit our showroom today to shop stylish storage solutions, furniture, décor, art, and more!