How to Get Organized in 2026: 10 Practical Tips That Really Work
- Kendall
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
If "get organized" made your New Year's resolution list (again), you're not alone. The good news? Getting organized doesn't require a total lifestyle overhaul, color-coded perfection, or buying tons of overpriced plastic bins. Small, realistic changes-- focused on how you actually live-- can make organization easier to start and even easier to maintain.
As a Home Organizer, I've seen firsthand which strategies actually help my clients-- and which ones don't. Below are 10 tips to help you get (and stay) organized in 2026!
Start embarrassingly small
After your triple shot latte, you may have tons of energy and think you can conquer the world, but let's start 2026 with realistic goals that give us our best chance at success. Do not try to organize your whole house at once-- or even a whole room right out of the gate. Begin with one drawer, one shelf, one category (think coffee cups, table linens, children's books). We climb mountains one step at a time. Same goes for getting organized.
Declutter before you shop
If your first instinct is to buy containers... pause. The most sustainable and budget-friendly container is the one you don't need because you got rid of all the extra stuff. Organization is not about containers, it's about owning less of what you do not need, use or want. Edit first, then organize what's left.
Tackle a high-use area that causes you daily stress
When you think of clutter, what's the first space that comes to mind? Organize an area that frustrates you daily or causes stress, like the entryway (yes, let's finally find a home for the house/car keys!), an overstuffed junk drawer, your bedside table. Quick wins equal instant motivation.
Set a timer not a goal
Tell yourself you have 10 to 15 minutes, that's it. You can stop when the timer goes off-- unless momentum kicks in, in which case who are we to argue.
Give everything a home
If an item doesn't have a clear place to live, it will always become clutter. Homes don't have to be perfect, just consistent. When you're looking for where to house items, think about where you most often use the items. Bathroom items go in the bathroom. Linens go in the linen closet if you have one. Store toys in the playroom or family room. Imagine you're a guest staying at your home, where would you look for the cleaning supplies? Probably under the kitchen sink, it's universal.
Organize for real life not your Pinterest board
You don't need a perfectly labeled pantry. You need to find the buscuits quickly when your dog is staring at you like he's starving. If it functions and you can find what you need, it's organized. Don't compare yourself to staged social media images!
Develop good habits
Don't let all your hard work go to waste, learn simple habits like "one in, one out" or a weekly re-set to prevent clutter from coming back. Another good habit is to pause before buying new stuff. Stop and ask yourself: do I really need this or will it become clutter?
Organize in layers not all at once
You don't need to make everything perfect on day one. Do a rough pass now, refine later. Progress over perfection.
Pair organizing with something enjoyable
Listen to music, a podcast, an audio book. Organizing doesn't need to feel like punishment to work.
Get help when you're stuck
It's normal to get frustrated and overwhelmed. If that happens, be kind to yourself and take a break for awhile. Remember that any progress is movement in the right direction. And it is always okay to ask for help when you need it. A professional or a trusted non-judgmental friend can help break the analysis paralysis.
Wondering what to do with your decluttered items?
Check out my blog post featuring the best donation and recycling resources in Los Angeles and beyond.
If you need help, I'm here for you! Let's talk about how you can reach your 2026 home organizing goals. Schedule a free phone consultation today.
About Kendall: My mission as a home organizer is to help families and communities take SMALL STEPS to organize and declutter at home in an eco-friendly way that starts to build BIG CHANGE in the world. Consider becoming an Official Declutter Buddy by joining my Email List. Fill out the Subscribe form below.
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