Eight Tips for Building Organization into Your Home

One of the most exciting parts of designing a home—whether you’re building from the ground up or renovating an existing space—is the chance to create a space that truly works for you. Over the years, I’ve learned that home organization isn’t just about buying bins and baskets; it’s about designing functional and efficient storage right into the foundation of your home. Easy home organization starts with thoughtful planning, and I love helping clients create stylish, functional spaces that make daily life easier.

If you’re in the process of building or remodeling, now is the perfect time to incorporate built-in storage solutions that will maximize space and keep your home organized and beautiful. Keep reading to hear some of my favorite ways to build organization into your home in a beautiful and functional way.

1. Calm the Chaos with Custom Closet Solutions

Despite often being an overlooked space when it comes to design, closets are one of the most important spaces to consider when it comes to home organization. A well-designed closet will take into consideration all your needs, whether you want space to display your fancy shoe collection, need custom shelving and lighting to highlight your jewelry, or are simply looking for a simple way to keep your clothes organized and off the floor. Don’t forget about little details that can make a huge difference, such as a built-in laundry hamper, or valet rod for setting out your clothes for tomorrow. Adding a custom closet solution to your bedrooms and high-traffic areas will do wonders for helping you have a place for everything, and everything in its place!

2. Kitchen Storage Designed for YOUR Life

The kitchen is the heart of the home, which also makes it the easiest and most likely place for clutter to get out of control. Because of this, I always encourage my clients to invest heavily in built-in organization. Drawers that are built specifically to hold deep pots, spice racks that pull out so you can easily see everything you have at a glance, and a pantry with customized shelving can instantly transform even the busiest kitchen from messy and overstimulating to efficient and calm.

Adding hidden features such as an appliance garage or matching the covers of your dishwasher, refrigerator, and oven to the cabinetry will also help you keep things tidy and stress-free. No more lamenting over having a mixer and a coffee maker and an air fryer sitting out on the counter – they’ll all be neatly tucked away!

3. Cleaning Up Entryways, Mudrooms, and Drop Zones

Having a place for residents and guests to immediately put away their accoutrement when they walk in the door is huge for reducing clutter and keeping your home looking neat and organized. Without it, shoes, bags, and jackets often end up piled near the door, creating a chaotic look and feel as soon as you walk in the door. If you don’t have space for a customized closet solution that includes a place for everything, consider adding cubbies, wall hooks, or a bench with hidden storage. A small table in the entry way can be decorated with functional bowls or trays to hold keys and phones as well.

4. Lighten Up Your Living Space

Your living room should feel cozy and calming, not cluttered, which makes this a perfect area to include built-in and hidden storage options. Keep cords, electronics, and miscellaneous control items tucked away with a customized entertainment center and use floating shelves for books and décor items to keep from overwhelming the space. Window seats with built-in storage can be excellent places to hide all cozy blankets you have, PLUS they can double as comfy reading nooks or extra seating for guests.

5. Clean Solutions for Laundry Room Organization

If you’re anything like me and don’t particularly love doing laundry, having a well-organized space will make a world of difference. I hate having detergent and fabric softener cluttering up the top of my appliances but having a floating shelf or cabinet I can use to organize them nicely always makes me feel better when I walk into the room. Installing a fold out drying rack or indoor clothesline will make it simple to hang up clothes than cannot be put in the dryer without laying everything out all over your living room or bedroom. And pro tip – including a fold-out folding table will help keep your laundry process more efficient, and inspire you to get your clothes folded before they even make it back to your room.

6. Bathroom Storage That Maximizes Space

Don’t let your bathrooms become a disorganized catch-all for all your toiletries. When there’s not enough storage, towels, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and hair products can take over everything and make everything seem smaller and messier. If your bathroom space is large, it’s easy enough to add in multiple drawers in the vanity or adding in a built-in linen closet, but in smaller spaces, drawer and cabinet organizers will be your best friend. Add cut out niches to the shower so you don’t have to use clunky shower organizers, and keep towels dry and off the floor (or the curtain rod!) with cute towel hooks or knobs on the wall.

7. Organize Your Office

You’re working from home now and have decided to add a shiny new office to your space. Yay! This is the perfect time to consider how you work most efficiently and design your space to maximize that. If you’re a fan of the minimalist desktop look (which I totally am), you can make this happen with floating shelves, built-in filing drawers, and hidden storage in other areas. A hidden charging station set up underneath your desktop will also keep your workspace tidy and clutter-free. For small offices, a wall-mounted fold-out desk is a great solution to keep your office area organized and efficient.

8. Hidden Storage in Unexpected Places

One of my favorite parts about being both an interior designer AND a professional organizer is finding creative ways to maximize home storage and organization. There are SO many areas in a home that can be used as a functional storage space without taking up any extra wall or floor space. My top choices?

-   Installing drawers or cabinets (or even a full closet!) under the stairs. This is a space that is almost never used, but can be easily turned into a creative storage space that blends into the décor and style of your home.
-   Building shallow shelves into walls between the studs is perfect for extra storage or for displaying cherished items.
-   Using the space under beds for extra linens or to keep out-of-season clothing tucked away is always a great option.

Final Thoughts: Make Organization Part of Your Home’s DNA

Having an organized home isn’t just for show – it makes a fundamental difference in the functionality and feeling in your home. Temporary storage solutions can be expensive and sometimes clunky, but making an investment into intentional, customized storage options that reflect YOUR needs will make your life (and home) feel smoother and stress-free!

If you’re planning a new build or renovation and want to incorporate smart, stylish storage solutions or are looking for help in making your existing space more functional, I’m here for you! Reach out to us at any time to schedule your consultation and be on your way to a more organized home.