Let me show you my process of how to organize a messy room, by showing you how I conquered the clutter in my craft room.
I finally did it. I organized my disaster of a craft room and boy does it feel amazing! It is finally the room I have been wanting since we moved in and it was worth every second! If you need a sign to start organizing, here it is! It is so worth it. When facing a super messy room, it is easy to get overwhelmed, shut the door and act like the mess does not exist! However, that room will haunt you just like Monica’s secret closet haunted her. Do not be like Monica.
Let me help you conquer your messiest room by sharing the steps I took organizing my craft room. I’m not kidding when I say I was excited to wake up on day 2 of organizing this room and finish what I started. Once you start, it becomes more fun. Ready to organize a messy room? Let’s get started!
Create a Wish List
What do you want from this room? Isn’t that a fun and empowering question? But seriously, how can your super messy room serve you and your family? My messy room is my craft room, so my #1 purpose is to have a space to craft. Duh! However, I want more out of this room than just to craft. So, I made a list of functions for my craft room: place for blog photos, space for Alex, printer station, kid-safe zone for the nieces and nephews, and a place to charge my computer. I did not accomplish my entire list, but it was nice to have this list to refer to as I organized.
So, if your super messy room is your basement (I am right there with you), think about what you want out of the space. Of course, you need a place to store stuff, but you may also want to consider a play area for the kiddos or a workout station for you! Dream big and make a list.
Enjoy the Process
I find that getting started is the hardest part to organizing a super messy space. Once I am in the zone, I do not mind doing it as much. So, to pump myself up and make the tedious task of organizing fun, I turn on one of my favorite shows (stick to reruns so you do not get distracted) or jam out to some upbeat music (dance breaks are encouraged). I also make sure to grab a favorite snack and caffeinated beverage (I save the wine to celebrate a job well done – otherwise I get too sleepy)!
Grab your Laundry Baskets
Go around the house and collect any empty boxes, bins, or baskets to use for sorting. Laundry baskets work great! Having sorting bins help me make quick decisions. I like to start with a “donations/toss bin” for items I no longer need or use, a “wrong room” bin for items that belong somewhere else in the house, and a “not sure” bin for items that I am spending too much time on. When a bin gets too full, I take care of it. So, if it is my “wrong room” bin then I grab it and put the items in the right room, and if it’s my “not sure” bin, then I group my like items and find a home for the biggest pile.
Clear your Surfaces
This is a clutter tip to live by. CLEAR OFF THE SURFACES. When the countertops, tables, dressers, nightstands, and all other surfaces are clear of clutter, your house looks more put together and less messy. I don’t know about you, but when my house looks less cluttered, I feel less cluttered (or overwhelmed I should say). So, when it comes to a super messy room, clear off the surfaces first. When I finally faced the craft room, I cleared off my overloaded desk and other surfaces first by placing the items into my sorting bins. This was an instant win and gave me more space to organize.
Grab a Buddy
You don’t have to suffer alone. Get a buddy! If you are organizing a common area of the house, it is okay to ask your family for help. Since I am the only one who uses the craft room, I didn’t think it was right to ask Alex for help. However, there is nothing wrong with asking a family member to help you organize a room they use as well. If you are reorganizing your kids’ messy toy room or bedroom, have them help you! It is never too early to learn organization. Sure, they will probably start playing with a toy they find, but they are still learning.
One Zone at a Time
To keep from feeling too overwhelmed, I broke my craft room into zones: the closet, desk, rolling cart, cube storage, and my printer station. I know Marie Kondo says to pile everything up at once, but for my sanity, I prefer zones. After I cleared off my surfaces, I worked on my closet zone first. I pulled things out, sorted anything what was piling up, and reorganized in a way that made since for me. You will most likely find yourself hopping from zone to zone, and that is okay too. Just keep moving, sorting, and organizing.
Use What you Have
DO NOT go to the store to buy new bins and containers until you have organized! Instead, make your shopping list as you organize. I ended up only having to purchase two items instead of the 10 items I had sitting in my Amazon cart. To be more specific, this saved me over $200. Look at shopping as your reward for putting in the work first. You will be surprised at what you have. For instance, I repurposed a rolling cart that I got from my work (for free) as our new printer station. It needs a makeover, but the makeover will cost less than a new cart or table would. The previous owners of our house left behind several totes of mason jars, which came in handy when I organized my writing utensils. So, be sure to shop around your house before purchasing new.
Sticky Notes
When organizing an entire room, you will probably rearrange things more than once. You will not nail your organization system the first time and that is okay. I suggest labeling your bins and containers with sticky notes until the entire room is done and you are satisfied with your system. Then you can replace the sticky notes with cute labels instead.
Looking for more organization inspiration? Check out these other posts:
CONQUER HOUSEHOLD STORAGE USING BASKETS
POST-CHRISTMAS ORGANIZATION: GET YOUR HOUSE BACK
PANTRY ORGANIZATION + HOW TO COVER WIRE SHELVING FOR LESS THAN $10
WHY YOU NEED A LAZY SUSAN IN EVERY ROOM
ORGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN: MAKE YOUR KITCHEN FLOW
Show Me How you Organize a Messy Room
As always, thank you for following along with me in my creative journey. Be sure to tag me and use #meagannicholedotcom when sharing how your organize a messy room! Thanks for stopping by MeaganNichole.com
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting, so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
Show Me your Decoupage Easter Egg
As always, thank you for following along with me in my creative journey. Be sure to tag me and use #meagannicholedotcom when sharing your own decoupage Easter egg! Thanks for stopping by MeaganNichole.com
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting, so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
Leave a Reply