7 Steps to Organizing a Messy House

Do you long to discover your inner minimalist and be able to let go of objects and activities that, in the words of Marie Kondo, no longer “spark joy” for you?

If you’re like most people, these questions will sound familiar: What should I organize? Where should I start? What are the steps to mindful decluttering and organizing!?

Take a deep breath – it’s okay to be as organized as you are right now, even if you feel like your home is messy. There is nothing wrong with you, and there is likely no reason why YOU can’t learn how to organize anything. If organizing a messy HOUSE feels overwhelming, choose one room to focus on at first and use these tips to practice how to organize a messy room!

Key Takeaways For Organizing a Messy House

• Start with one room, not the whole house, so the work feels manageable right away.
• Sort everything into simple groups like keep, donate, transit, and relocation before you buy containers.
• Declutter before you organize, because storage only works well when it fits what is left.
• Use labels and a few simple habits to keep the system working after the room is finished.
• Be gentle with yourself, because the goal is a calmer home that fits your life now, not a perfect one-day reset.

We get it: Starting to organize your home can feel overwhelming. It’s often daunting to start a new project or create a new habit! But decluttering and organizing do not have to be stressful. You can mindfully organize your home room by room by applying these seven simple steps.

Step 1: Center Yourself Before You Start Organizing

Take time to reflect and center in order to be clear on your goals. How do you want to feel? What do you want your space to look like?

You might meditate, journal, brainstorm or talk with a friend to gain clarity on your goals. If others in your household will be using the space, be sure to invite their suggestions and include their wants and needs.

Step 2: Sort Your Stuff

Find bags, containers or boxes and label them. Labels such as Keep, Donation and Transit come in handy to keep everything organized while sorting. We also recommend creating a “relocation” container. Learn more about the importance of relocation containers here.

Begin by sorting into logical categories based on your needs and goals. Whatever categories make sense to you are fine. Keep it simple and don’t overthink it. This is your chance to get into action. Organize like a kindergartner and make it fun!

Sorting will help you to see how much you have of any given category of things and will make decluttering go faster.

Step 3: Declutter Your Stuff

Ask these three guiding questions to decide what to keep:

1. Do I love it?
2. Do I use it?
3. Do I have a better one?

If the answer to these questions is “no,” it’s time to let the item go. This will free up your energy and give you more mental as well as physical space.

Step 4: Organize Your Way!

Don’t get stuck in limited ways or thinking. Reflect on where you use each of your items, which may be different from anyone else. You might choose to keep the sheets for each bed in the room where they are used in order to free up space in the “linen closet” for other items. You might use the top of a bedroom closet as storage space for old taxes in order to free up space in your home office.  Feel free to think outside of the box!

Step 5: “Containerize” Your Stuff

Choose containers for organizing your belongings after you have sorted and decluttered. Many people make the mistake of buying containers first, before knowing what and how much they have to store.

Decide how many bows, hair ribbons, rubber bands or twist ties you really want to keep and use the container to remind you when you have enough (when the container is full, it’s time to declutter your collection).

There may be no need to spend money on new containers. You can go easy on your budget by repurposing what you have! Use boxes, ball jars, Tupperware, and baskets that are already in your home. Repurpose before buying  containers.  If you do need containers, you may find some budget items at the thrift store or at a yard sale.  Of course if you are short on time and don’t enjoy thrifting, there is always the Container Store or Amazon.  Just be sure to choose your containers after you have completed your editing and sorting!

Step 6: Label Your Containers

No, you don’t need to go out and buy a label maker! Use masking tape, sticky notes or any budget-friendly tools  you have on hand to label your containers. This not only helps you to maintain your new systems, but helps others in the household to do the same. If pretty labels make you smile, treat yourself to some! I like the old-fashioned feel of reusable chalkboard labels.

Step 7: Support Your New Habits

Habits change consciously and with time, especially when you approach new habits mindfully. Be patient and gentle with yourself as you adapt to your new decluttering and organizing habits!

Frequently Asked Questions About Organizing a Messy House

Where do I start when my house feels too messy and I feel overwhelmed?

Start with one room and one clear goal. Pick the space that feels most urgent, then work through it in small pieces instead of trying to fix the whole house at once. That keeps the project from turning into more overwhelm.

Should I buy bins before I declutter?

Buy containers after you sort and remove what you do not need. That way the storage fits the items you are actually keeping, and you do not end up spending money on bins that never get used. Repurposed boxes, baskets, and jars can work just fine while you sort.

What is a relocation or transit container?

A relocation container is a temporary holding spot for items that belong somewhere else in the house. It keeps you moving through the room without stopping every time you find something that needs to go to another space. When the room is done, walk around and put those items where they belong.

How do I keep clutter from coming back?

Use a simple system that is easy to maintain. Labels help, but the bigger piece is creating a home for each category and checking whether new items truly fit before they come in. Small, repeatable habits matter more than one big organizing burst.

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