HOW TO START ORGANISING YOUR HOME: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Creating a more organised home doesn’t have to be overwhelming, whether you’re facing upstairs cupboards, overflowing wardrobes, or boxes from a recent move. With the right approach, you can transform cluttered spaces into calm, functional areas that make everyday life easier and more peaceful.

As a professional home organiser in London, I’ve worked in homes of all shapes and sizes. Over time, I’ve discovered that effective home organisation starts with a simple mindset shift and a clear plan. In this post, we’ll walk through how to begin your home organising journey, room by room and step by step, so that you can reclaim your space and your time.

1. Start With a Clear Goal

Person planning home organisation goals with notebook and tidy desk

Before you pick up a bin bag or storage box, take a moment to define what “organised” means to you. Do you want:

• A clutter-free living room you’re proud to entertain in?

• A wardrobe that makes getting dressed easy?

• A calm bedroom where you can relax at night?

Write down your main priorities, this gives you focus and boosts motivation.

2. Declutter First — Always Declutter First

Home decluttering process with items sorted into keep, donate and discard piles

Decluttering is the foundation of any organising plan. It’s the process of sorting through what you own and deciding what to keep, donate, recycle or discard.

Ask yourself:

✔️ “Have I used this in the last 12 months?”

✔️ “Does this item bring me joy or serve a purpose?”

By starting with decluttering, you clear physical and mental space, making the next steps easier.

3. Zone Your Space

Organised home divided into functional zones including kitchen, wardrobe and entryway

Break your home into zones, for example:

• Entryway / Hallway

• Kitchen cabinets

• Children’s bedrooms

• Wardrobes

• Study or home office

Tackle one zone at a time rather than trying to overhaul the whole house at once. Small wins build momentum.

4. Use Practical Storage Solutions

Storage boxes creating an organised system

Once the clutter is gone, it’s time to organise what remains. Consider:

• Clear, labelled boxes

• Drawers with dividers

• Hanging organisers inside wardrobes

Invest in storage that matches the shape of the items you’re keeping, not the other way around.

5. Maintain What You’ve Built

Tidy kitchen surface showing simple daily home organisation habits

The biggest secret to a lasting organised home is maintenance. Set aside even 10 minutes a day to tidy high-use areas like counters, drawers, and entry tables. This helps prevent clutter from sneaking back in.

Bonus Tips from a Pro

• If you’re stuck on where to begin, start with the easiest win, like a bathroom drawer or coat closet, to build confidence.

• Sometimes an outside perspective helps. A professional organiser can not only sort and organise, but also create systems that stay functional long after the session ends.

  
  

Conclusion

You don’t need a perfect home, just a plan, a little momentum, and the right steps. With these actionable tips, you’ll find yourself well on the way to a calmer, more organised living space that supports you every day.

Ready to turn these steps into real, lasting change in your home? Contact Andrea Lewis at The Organised Curator today and get expert, hands-on support to declutter, organise, and create a calm, beautifully functional space that truly works for you.