organizing home

the problem:

my home always looks like dustbin with clothes on charis beds and other items in tv cubpboards

organizing home is a very common and frustrating situation. The “clothes chair” or “clothes pile” phenomenon is a universal experience. It happens because of a simple breakdown in your organizational system: there’s no designated “home” for those in-between items, so they end up on the most convenient flat surface.

Here’s a breakdown of why this happens and a practical, step-by-step approach to solve it.

 

The Psychology Behind the “Clothes Chair”

 

• Decision Fatigue: When you take off an item of clothing, you have to make a decision: Is it clean? Dirty? Wearable again? Do I have time to fold it? Is my closet organized enough to put it away? It’s often easier to just drop it on a chair or bed and deal with the decision later.
• Lack of a “Landing Spot”: Most homes have designated spots for “dirty” clothes (the laundry hamper) and “clean” clothes (the closet or dresser). But what about the “not-quite-dirty, not-quite-clean” items? The clothes you wore for an hour and want to wear again tomorrow. Without a designated spot, they end up in a pile.
• The “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Trap: We tend to focus on what’s visible. The clean and dirty clothes in your wardrobe and hamper are “dealt with,” but the pile on the chair or bed is a constant, visible reminder of an unfinished task, contributing to a feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed.

 

A Practical System to Solve the Problem

 

This isn’t about becoming a minimalist overnight. It’s about creating a system that works for you.

 

Step 1: The One-Time Reset

 

You have to deal with the existing mess first to create a blank slate. Don’t try to organize everything at once. Focus on the most visible and frustrating areas first.

1. Empty the Chairs and Beds: Take every single item off the chairs, beds, and other flat surfaces.
2. Make Three Piles:
   • Dirty: Anything that needs to be washed goes into the laundry basket.
   • Clean: Anything that is completely clean and just needs to be put away goes into a separate pile.
   • “Rewear”: This is the key pile. These are the items you’ve worn but don’t need to wash yet.
3. Put Away and Wash: Immediately put the dirty clothes in the laundry and put the clean clothes back in their proper place (closet, dresser, etc.). Don’t leave them in a new pile on the floor.

 

Step 2: Create a System for the “Rewear” Pile

 

This is the most crucial step in preventing the clothes piles from reappearing. Give these items a specific home so they don’t land on a chair.

• Designated Hook/Rack: Install a few hooks on the back of your bedroom door, or get a small, stylish coat rack or valet stand. This gives those “rewear” items a place to hang neatly, allowing them to air out and stay wrinkle-free.
• Dedicated Bin or Basket: If you prefer not to have clothes on display, designate a nice-looking basket or a specific drawer in your dresser for “rewear” items. The key is to make it a designated, easy-to-access spot.
• The “One-In, One-Out” Rule: Make a pact with yourself. When you take something off and it’s a “rewear” item, it goes directly to the hook, rack, or bin. Don’t let it touch a chair or bed.

 

Step 3: Tackle the Other Clutter Spots

 

Once the clothes on chairs are under control, apply the same principles to other problem areas like your TV cupboards.

1. Empty and Categorize: Take everything out of the cupboard. Make piles for what you’re keeping, what you’re throwing away or recycling, and what belongs somewhere else in the house.
2. Organize and Containerize: Use small baskets or bins inside the cupboard to contain similar items. For example, a small box for all your remote controls, another for spare cables and wires, and a third for media (DVDs, etc.). This prevents things from becoming a jumbled mess.
3. Establish a “Home” for Everything: Every single item you keep must have a designated home. If something is on top of the TV cupboard, it’s because its “home” is not intuitive or easy to access. Make a conscious effort to return items to their home after you use them.

 

Long-Term Habits for a Clutter-Free Home

 

• The “5-Minute Tidy” Rule: Spend just 5 minutes at the end of each day putting things back in their place. This prevents small messes from snowballing into a major cleaning project.
• The “12-12-12” Rule: When you feel overwhelmed, find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper home. This provides a quick sense of accomplishment without feeling like you have to clean the whole house.
• Assess What’s Coming In: The easiest way to deal with clutter is to not let it in the house in the first place. Before you buy something new, ask yourself if you truly need it and where it will live.