If you’ve ever opened a cupboard to have the contents fall on you, then you’ll appreciate the skills of Pip Renfrew, who runs her home organisation business The Tidy Sidekick in Maitland, NSW. She’s passionate about encouraging everyone to set up good systems at home. “If you don’t have an organisational system, no-one in your household knows where things go,” says Pip, whose personal motto is: “Don’t put it down, put it away!”. Try her home organisation ideas, including declutter tips, and discover to master the art of home storage.
Avoid Household Clutter with a Family ‘Drop Zone’
Pip recommends having a defined ‘drop zone’ for everyone in the family, so you offload when you get home and put all the items you use daily away before doing anything else. She has a rack in her garage with a hook and a box for each family member for coats, bags and shoes. This simple system not only keeps the home tidy, but also saves time during busy mornings by ensuring everything is in its place and easy to find.
Declutter One Space at a Time
Decluttering your whole house can feel too overwhelming. Instead, Pip advises her clients to tackle one area at a time, like a bookshelf tidy or the pantry organisation. “Too much clutter does affect how you feel, and I do believe if you do have lots of clutter in your home that’s going to affect you and your family,” she says.
She involves her children in the tidying. Once a fortnight, they pick a section of the house and go through it, for example the craft table or a box of toys. Then, every month or six months, throw out anything that’s broken and donate the rest to charity or pass it on to friends. Doing a little bit regularly makes it less daunting for everyone.
SEE ALSO: Organisation Inspiration: Spring Clean Your Office
Simplify Shopping with Pantry Organisation Zones
Pip suggests sorting your pantry items into specific ‘zones’ using clear storage tubs to make meal planning and shopping a breeze. “You can have your cooking area, so that would be like your rice, pasta, breadcrumbs and that kind of stuff, and then meal bases, like your taco kits and little sachets of sauces, and then you would have your oils, vinegars, herbs and spices,” she says. This clever set-up makes it easier to see and grab items, simplifying your meal prep and shopping list creation.
Buy Home Storage Solutions at the Right Time
When it comes to home storage products, Pip recommends starting with a clean slate. “It’s always good to declutter first, measure your space, and then go and buy the products,” she says. This way, you’ll know exactly what you need and make choices that perfectly fit your space.
Smarter Home Storage
Use clear boxes so you can easily see what’s inside them at a glance, says Pip. This makes it simple to find what you need without rummaging through everything. Alternatively, invest in a label maker to neatly list the contents of each box on the outside.
SEE ALSO: How to Create a Family Command Centre
Maximise Space with Seasonal Storage
Store seasonal items, like bedding, beach supplies, holiday decorations and clothing, in good-quality storage boxes to keep them protected and easy to find when you need them, suggests Pip. This approach is perfect for those with smaller wardrobes, as it helps maximise space and ensures a smooth transition between seasons.
Keep a Visual Family Calendar in a Central Spot
While digital calendars are a time-saver, Pip recommends a physical whiteboard as well so you can see your family schedule at a glance. “It just makes life easier for me and my family. I can see what day is library day for my son, when soccer training is, what days I have to pick him up from after-school care and my husband’s shifts.”
Manage Paperwork with a Filing System
If you have a home office space, don’t let paperwork pile up there. “It’s really important for productivity that your desk is tidy and organised,” says Pip. “That’s when you can really get work done.” Pip recommends getting clear sectioned trays to house your weekly paperwork and any documents before filing them away at the end of each month, preferably in a locked filing case, if you have kids.
What to Try
- J.Burrows 11.4L Multipurpose Crate Medium
- Brother P-touch Cube Label Maker PT-P710BT
- J.Burrows Desktop File Storage Organiser 4 Drawer Clear
- Otto Family Planner Whiteboard 900 x 600mm
- Kadink Rascal Kids Table with 2 Tubs White
