The minimalist lifestyle has grown in popularity over the last several years, but for many people, having a more organized home may not include getting rid of everything. While there are plenty of benefits associated with home decluttering, getting rid of everything might not be the right option for everyone.

In some cases, organizing your home isn’t about owning less. There are plenty of ways that you can enjoy a more organized, tidier living space without hauling away half of what you own to a local thrift store. A more organized home can come from changing how you use your space rather than dramatically reducing what is inside it.

Start With the Places That Cause the Most Friction

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when trying to organize their home is that they assume they need to get the entire project done as quickly as possible. Whether you live in a studio apartment or a multi-story home, feeling like you need to declutter and organize the entire space can be daunting. Instead, start by focusing on the areas that are causing the most friction in your daily routine.

Maybe your kitchen counter has become a collection point for keys, mail, and other objects that you take out of your pockets when you come inside, or your entryway is constantly cluttered with shoes and coats. Those small frustrations are useful clues. They tell you where your home's current organization system isn't working.

Begin by asking what you usually do in the space and what you would like to be able to do with it. That approach can help you decide if you need to get rid of things, or if you would be better served by investing in a few organizational accessories like a shoe rack or a small table where you could put the mail before it’s opened.

Give Frequently Used Things the Easiest Homes

Quality home organization begins with making the things that you use the most often easy to access and easy to put away. Your keys and wallet are probably part of your daily routine, but that doesn’t mean that you want to leave them on your kitchen counter. Instead, consider putting a small decorative bowl near the door that you typically use to enter your home. This not only keeps those daily-use items out of sight, but also ensures that you know where they are when you need them.

The same idea applies throughout the house. Everyday shoes should be easy to access. Frequently used chargers should have an obvious place. The blanket that gets used every evening shouldn't have to be folded into a storage box in another room. Ultimately, your approach to organizing your home should follow your behavior.

Use Vertical Space Before Adding More Furniture

Having an organized home isn’t always about getting rid of things or implementing more storage options in every room. Sometimes, it’s simply about making better use of the space that you have.

Walls, the backs of doors, and other vertical surfaces can provide useful storage without taking up much floor space. Hooks can hold coats, bags, or kitchen tools. Shelves can move books and decorative objects off crowded surfaces. Pegboards, wall-mounted organizers, and over-the-door storage can turn otherwise unused areas into functional space. This approach is especially helpful in smaller spaces where floor space is already at a premium.

Make Putting Things Away Easier Than Leaving Them Out

This might be the most important aspect of keeping your home organized. If putting something where it belongs involves opening a cabinet, moving multiple containers, and arranging everything afterward, you’re far less likely to keep putting it where it goes. Typically, people follow the path of least resistance, so when it becomes a chore to put something where it belongs, you’re far more likely to leave it out. When that concept applies to multiple items, you’ll have cluttered surfaces and a disorganized space.

A laundry basket should be easy to reach. Frequently used items shouldn't require a step stool. A toy storage system should be simple enough for children to use. The place where mail gets sorted should be located somewhere you naturally encounter mail.

Decluttering can be useful, but it’s not the only path to being more organized. In some cases, the issue isn’t that you have too much stuff. Instead, it’s that you don’t have the systems in place to keep it organized.

Looking for stories that inform and engage? From breaking headlines to fresh perspectives, WaveNewsToday has more to explore.