Housekeeping Storage & Organization Organization Tips 38 Organization Tips for Every Room in Your Home Organize each room with these smart storage solutions. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 3, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: BHG / Meg MacDonald Organizing your home doesn't have to happen all at once. Go room by room with these practical storage solutions and decluttering ideas for kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, and more. Follow these room organization ideas to establish order one space at a time. 01 of 38 Create Kitchen Storage Zones Richard Leo Johnson Group items in your kitchen by their function. In this cooking space, a stand mixer tucks in the corner by the refrigerator, and shelves above house mixing bowls and baking necessities. On the opposite side of the refrigerator, a breakfast prep zone has all morning must-haves: shelves with bowls and glasses, coffee mugs, and canisters of cereal. 02 of 38 Squeeze In a Pantry Tria Giovan If you don't have space for a walk-in pantry, squeeze one in with this clever organizing tip. Designate a cabinet for dry goods and snack storage, and position shelves at short heights to optimize storage. To boost usable space, outfit the interior of each cabinet door with shelves or racks that can hold smaller items such as spices. 03 of 38 Incorporate Swing-Out Storage Michael Partenio Swing-out shelves are a clever option for cavernous corner cabinets that might otherwise be underutilized. Rails on these shelves keep items from falling off, and multiple tiers accommodate a pantry's worth of dry goods. Plus, the swing-out function brings every item front and center. 04 of 38 Rethink Kitchen Drawers Michael Partenio Kitchen drawers are typically shallow and narrow, ideal for utensils and linens. But larger drawers can be a smart addition to a kitchen's storage plan. Ideal for spaces with open shelves or limited upper cabinet storage, these dresser-like drawers can house stacks of dishes or bulky pots and pans. Because they pull out, all of the contents are easily accessible, and the drawers limit reaching overhead. A pegboard and tall, sturdy pegs keep items in place and can be reconfigured to accommodate differently sized and shaped items. 05 of 38 Pantry Storage Containers Jay Wilde The right containers are key to keeping your pantry in order. Sort items by category into baskets or bins, and add labels to easily see where everything goes. Use clear, airtight plastic or glass containers (like this Better Homes & Gardens Glass Food Jar Set, $17, Walmart), to decant dry goods such as cereals, flour, sugar, and rice. 06 of 38 Add Wraparound Shelving Emily Followill Make the most of kitchen corners with L-shape shelves, which provide a continuous stretch of storage. Be sure the shelves are reinforced in the corners so that they can bear the weight of heavy objects, such as serving bowls (Better Homes & Gardens White Porcelain Wavy Serve Bowl, $7, Walmart), placed in the corners. Limit the number of items you store there to avoid an overcrowded look. 07 of 38 Maximize Built-In Storage David Tsay Take advantage of existing storage options to maximize organization. In this kitchen, a built-in hutch displays everyday dishes and glassware on shelves and stows other essentials in drawers below. The lowest shelf functions as a bar or serving station. If built-ins aren't in your budget or current kitchen layout, but you still have a blank wall to fill, consider freestanding options that will achieve the same function. 08 of 38 Build Up Bathroom Storage Michael Partenio If more bathroom storage is a priority over expansive counter space, consider a storage tower. This unit makes use of vertical space between the sinks of a double vanity and provides easy-to-reach storage for both sink areas. For extra savvy functionality, include an outlet in the cabinet for razors, hairdryers, and more. 09 of 38 Tall Bathroom Storage Adam Albright For smaller vanities, employ the same vertical storage principle, but execute it on a stretch of wall instead. Here, a tall shelving unit between the vanity and shower adds much-needed storage to the petite space. This small-bathroom storage idea can serve as a stand-in for a linen closet, storing towels, toiletries, paper products, and more. 10 of 38 Small Bathroom Organization Susan Gilmore To store more in a small bathroom, consider a flip-down shelf with hidden storage behind it. The shelf in this tiny bathroom folds out from the wall to offer extra counter space near the vanity. In the wall niche, a makeup mirror turns the shelf into a full-fledged vanity. Baskets corral paper products and toiletries. As a bonus, the shelf is topped with quartz, a heat-resistant and easy-to-clean surface. 11 of 38 Declutter the Bathroom Cameron Sadeghpour The secret to organizing a bathroom is to be diligent and ruthless about getting rid of what you don't need. "The bathroom is probably the key place where we rummage through stuff that we hardly or never use to get to the stuff that we use every day," says organizing and design expert Christopher Lowell. Declutter what you don't use, along with anything that's past its expiration date, to save space for the essentials. 12 of 38 Optimize Vanity Storage Space Carson Downing Employ organizational add-ons to optimize the space under your sink. Inside this vanity, pullout storage units provide multiple tiers of divided storage. Items are sorted by size and type into the mesh bins, which makes it easy to tell when the contents running low. 13 of 38 Freestanding Bathroom Storage The Wilde Project If your bath lacks a closet, repurpose a cabinet or dresser to keep extra linens and supplies on hand. Choose a unit with glass doors so you can tell at a glance when it's time to restock. Place small items, such as cotton swabs and bars of soap, in glass jars for a pretty and practical organizing idea. 14 of 38 Improvise a Mudroom Nathan Schroder Photography If you don't have a designated mudroom, you can improvise one in nearly any entryway space. Remove the doors from a hall closet and add a bench and storage cubbies inside, or hang hooks and shelves to turn a blank wall into a storage center. Customize entryway organization to suit your family's needs with the space you have available. 15 of 38 Front Entry Organization Ideas Blaine Moats Whether it's a dedicated room or a stretch of wall inside the door, the key is to have a place for all the things you bring in that don't need to go any farther into the house. Make a list of those items, such as coats, boots, mail, and keys, and create an easy-access storage spot for each one right by the door. Consider organizing solutions such as baskets, cubbies, hooks, and trays to manage different types of items. 16 of 38 Hanging Entryway Storage Edmund Barr Hooks are a simple and inexpensive storage solution for entryways. Choose a rack with multiple hooks for easy mounting, or add hooks at varying heights to serve different purposes or family members. Install enough for everyone's coats, umbrellas, purses, backpacks, and briefcases. 17 of 38 Create Shoe Storage Marty Baldwin Shoes naturally collect at the entryway, so find a way to contain them. For fuss-free organization, bring in a large basket to toss footwear in. If you prefer a more orderly approach, employ multi-tier storage with labels for each family member. 18 of 38 Inviting Entryway Organization Marty Baldwin Your entryway offers the first impression of your home, so make it welcoming. Choose organizing ideas that create a smooth and attractive transition into the house. Create an orderly and inviting space using colorful labeled bins, baskets woven from natural materials, and hooks or shelves in pretty finishes that complement your home's style. 19 of 38 Develop Living Room Zones David A. Land Choose integrated living room storage to help foster a sense of togetherness. The first step is to be realistic about how everyone uses the room so you can give each activity some space of its own. Then use living room shelves, furniture with built-in storage, benches or ottomans with hidden compartments, and other storage solutions to hide clutter in plain sight. 20 of 38 Organize the Living Room with Baskets Greg Scheidemann Unlike a kitchen or mudroom, living rooms, which are designated for relaxing and conversing, often encompass more form than function. But even these livable spaces are required to have a little storage. Utilize large baskets or decorative bins to conceal blankets, toys, or media. If your front door opens directly into the living room, set up a console table with baskets tucked beneath for storing outerwear accessories, umbrellas, dog leashes, and more. 21 of 38 Control Media Room Clutter Michael Partenio Keep only movies, games, music, and books that you use and that realistically fit on your living room shelves. Donate the rest or store them elsewhere. Labeled photo boxes are stylish and the perfect size for stashing on shelves in an entertainment center. 22 of 38 Living Room Organization for Everyone Jason Donnelly Since every family member spends time in the living room, it can become a jumble of activities and items. Assign specific areas and create designated storage for activities like movie-watching, reading, playing games, and doing homework. This organizing idea helps prevent clutter from spreading out across the whole room. 23 of 38 DIY Built-In Storage Blaine Moats Create a bed alcove filled with storage that mimics the look of a built-in. These vertical shelves are easy to build using plywood and can be secured with wall anchors. For a finishing touch, mount the sconces by drilling holes in the sides of the shelving units. Thread the wiring through the holes and attach the sconces as directed. 24 of 38 End-of-The-Bed Storage Brie Passano When space is at a premium, foot-of-the-bed storage is a quick fix for full closets and dresser drawers. A storage-friendly bench, trunk, or bookshelf is a perfect solution for stashing extra linens or out-of-season items. The top of this DIY tufted bench flips up to reveal storage space within. 25 of 38 Multi-Purpose Bedroom Storage Edward Gohlich Employ storage pieces that can serve more than one function. Here, a small dresser with valuable drawers also serves as a nightstand. Stash bedside essentials on the top or in the uppermost drawer, and use the rest for clothes, linens, or other items. 26 of 38 Bedroom Shelving Marty Baldwin Put blank bedroom walls to work with a few open shelves within reach of the bed. Floating shelves take up less visual space than traditional bedside tables, offering a more streamlined look. And since you can't simply toss everything in a nightstand drawer, it encourages you to be more intentional about what you store near your bed. 27 of 38 Contain Dirty Clothes Adam Albright Have a designated spot to put laundry at the end of each day. Invest in a hamper to prevent clothes pileups on the floor or inside the closet. A dresser with a built-in laundry basket keeps dirty clothes contained in a stylish, out-of-sight location. 28 of 38 Kids' Toy Storage Jay Wilde Pockets on over-the-door shoe organizers (like this Better Homes & Gardens 24-Pocket Over-the-Door Closet Shoe Organizer, $19, Walmart) are just the right size for storing small toys. Label each pocket for specific dolls or action figures as well as accessories. Be sure to hang the organizer at a height where kids can safely reach. 29 of 38 Kid-Friendly Organizers Make it easy for kids to keep their rooms tidy by creating clearly marked spots for everything they own. Choose small baskets, crates, and pails that are portable and light enough for little ones to tote. Introduce storage in places that are within their reach, such as under the bed. 30 of 38 Scale Down Kids' Storage Edmund Barr Kids shouldn't have to ask for help to reach their belongings. Make playthings more accessible by installing shelves, cubbies, and hooks at a child's height. Open storage allows kids to display their favorite things, while trunks and low drawers are perfect for bulky or seldom-used items. 31 of 38 Make Room for Hobbies Edmund Barr When outfitting kids' bedrooms and play areas, find room for your child's interests. Consider organizing ideas such as bins for sports equipment, a flat surface for drawing, or a special hook for dance outfits. Stash books on open shelves so they can easily pick out their favorite story. 32 of 38 Enlist Wall Space Paul Dyer Because garage shelves tend to collect clutter, opt for solutions that mount to the wall or ceiling. They take up less space and require you to designate specific spots for each item. A wall-hung storage system organizes a mountain of sports gear in this slim space, keeping the floor clear of clutter and allowing a car to park nearby. 33 of 38 Employ Modular Storage Adam Albright Modular cabinets combine to form a station for gardening and garage work. A floor rack keeps large tools in check, while smaller tools hang from sliding clips on a slatted wall panel. Short cubbies and drawers provide storage for gardening supplies and form a countertop for potting. 34 of 38 Convenient Garage Organization Adam Albright Encourage the whole family to recycle by designating an easy-to-reach zone for cans, papers, and plastics. Here, a trio of stackable bins forms a compact recycling station that is conveniently located near the door to the house. Plastic containers offer clean, moistureproof storage, while clear labels help keep things in order. Reusable grocery bags are stored nearby for trips to the store. 35 of 38 Compact Home Office David A. Land With the right organization strategies, you don't need a whole room to create a home office. Outfit a closet with cabinets, shelves, and a desktop to create a compact workstation. Bring in lidded boxes, file sorters, and other desktop organizers to control paperwork and office supplies. 36 of 38 Prioritize Office Organization Kim Cornelison Keep your priorities straight with two corkboards: one designated for things to do now and one for things that can be handled later. Mount the boards from a rod above a desk by drilling two holes, one in each top corner of the board, and hanging from hooks on the rod. Pin mail, bills, and other papers to the appropriate board as they come in. 37 of 38 Office Memo Board Robert Brinson Even in the digital age, corkboards can be valuable for posting papers, household calendars, and reminders everyone can see. Use decorative tape or pretty ribbon to divide a large bulletin board into sections for specific tasks, such as permission slips to sign. Mount a shelf directly below to hold items that aren't easily pinned up. 38 of 38 Wall-Mounted Office Storage Jason Donnelly Fill wall-mounted pockets near your workstation with bills, items to file, and correspondence so these documents are always in plain sight. Place project- and person-specific materials that aren't time-sensitive in labeled document boxes or expandable files. This organizing idea allows you to transport relevant documents quickly. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit