6 Common Organising Mistakes

Organising your home sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly easy to fall into a few common traps that can undo your efforts. If you’ve ever wondered why your organising attempts keep unravelling, don’t worry – you’re not alone!

Let's identify these common mistakes and solutions to avoid them.

1. Skipping the Decluttering Step

One of the biggest organising missteps is jumping straight into sorting without decluttering. It’s almost impossible to effectively organise a space full of unused or unnecessary items. Decluttering is essential for creating a functional, streamlined space and reducing the overall volume of items you need to store.

Set aside time to go through each room or category of items and ask yourself if each piece is truly essential. This process leaves you with fewer items to organise, making the task easier and more sustainable.

2. Buying Storage Containers Too Soon

Shopping for storage containers can feel productive, but doing it before you know what you need to store often results in buying the wrong items. Oversized bins or oddly shaped boxes can actually add to clutter rather than help organise it.

Start by identifying what you need to store, measuring shelves or drawers, and researching storage products. Once you know your storage needs, you’ll make better choices for containers that will work within your space and fit your items perfectly.

3. Not Zoning

Not zoning is a common organising mistake where people don’t designate specific “zones” or areas for different activities or types of items within a space. Without clear zones, items tend to end up scattered, making it harder to find things and maintain order. With zoning, maintaining an organised space becomes much easier because everything has a specific “home.” It also streamlines daily routines, since you’ll spend less time searching for items and more time enjoying a well-organised space.

Avoiding the mistake of not zoning will ultimately help you create a harmonious, functional environment that’s easy to keep organised!

How to create zones:

Identify Key Activities or Categories

Choose Locations that Make Sense

Use Containers and Labels

Maintain the Zones Regularly

4. Trying to Organise Everything in One Day

The idea of organising your entire home in a single day might sound appealing, but it can easily lead to burnout.

Break down your organising tasks into manageable chunks, tackling one area at a time. Create a checklist to keep yourself on track and use it to work at a pace that suits you. Regular upkeep will also keep your home organised long after the initial setup.

5. Confusing “Clean” with “Organised”

A clean home and an organised home are two different things. While cleaning focuses on removing dirt and grime, organising is about creating a functional space that’s easy to maintain. Attempting to make a space look clean by filling shelves can lead to a disorganised result if it’s not thoughtfully arranged.

When organising, prioritise accessibility and functionality over appearance alone. Keep frequently used items within easy reach, and store less-used items out of the way. This will make it easier to maintain order over time.

6. Doing It Alone

Organising an entire home solo can be exhausting and, in many cases, overwhelming. Enlisting help not only makes the process quicker but can also bring fresh ideas and perspectives that make organising easier and more effective.

Involve family members or friends to share the workload, or consider hiring a professional organiser. Our team can bring order and calm to your space while providing  professional insight and tips to maintain it in the future.

Organising doesn’t have to be daunting, and avoiding these common mistakes can make the process more enjoyable and effective. Whether you’re starting fresh or refreshing an existing system, taking the time to declutter, plan, and get help when needed will leave you with an organised, functional home that’s easy to maintain.