I think there is life-changing magic in the most basic of organizing principles. It’s known as “a place for everything.” Since I started working as a professional organizer in 2003, I have shared this phrase as one of the keys to successfully organizing our homes, offices – and lives.
We “professionals” tend to glibly throw out these tips that we deem useful. However, we don’t always explain in detail how to achieve them. Because I believe this quote to be a foundational exercise towards achieving organizing success, I will share my experience with you.
When we say have a place for everything, we literally mean absolutely every single thing in your life – every piece of paper, pen, light bulb, shoe, dish, and utensil. Every single thing. I am most definitely not saying this is an easy thing to achieve. But when you do it (and you can do it), it is literally life-altering.
How to Find a Place for Everything
First, you must go through every closet, drawer, box, bag, and bin and make a place for everything. This takes planning, careful thought, skill in creating storage solutions, and an investment of time. However, once you do it, if you do it right, you will never have to do it again.
All of my “stuff” had a home in my house. But there was room for improvement. I recently went through all of my drawers and closets and moved things around to really fine-tune the concept of everything in its place.
Every single thing in the house has a purpose or is pleasing to look at. Every single thing has a home. That home is the most convenient place I could find closest to where I use that thing. Every single thing can be found in under a minute. Every single thing that comes into the house replaces something that leaves the house if that thing already exists and the place it belongs is already occupied.
Now that is life-changing! And it’s not magic; it’s a fact.