After a year of being confined inside of our homes, I think many of us can agree that organization is key to maximizing space and cultivating healthy domestic habits. In the spirit of spring cleaning, (although you can do this at any time of the year) we’ve come up with 7 easy-to-follow tips to help you clear your space and breathe some fresh spring air into your home:

1. Take Inventory of What You Own. Sure, this may sound like a no-brainer, but sometimes we forget all the stuff we have! It’s a great habit to sit down with a pen and paper and take a full inventory of what you own. This way, you can start to prioritize what you can give away, throw away, reorganize, etc. 

2. Make Seasonal Items Accessible. Based on the season, determine what needs to be accessible right away. Store out-of-season items in an attic, in a basement, or under the bed. For example, fold heavy winter sweaters into storage bins and place winter coats on a rolling rack since you won’t need them during the spring and summer. After all, all that bulk takes up space!

3. Create an Organization Routine. Get into the habit of putting things away and not allowing them to stack up (the same goes for dishes!). The more you can stay on top of things, the less clutter will take over your life. 

4. Be Realistic with Your Space. If you live in NYC, chances are you don’t have a huge amount of space to work with, which is why it’s even more important to be realistic about how much space you have in your current living environment. Once you figure out how to best set up or change your space, it will lend you to being more creative about how you want it to look and feel.

5. Go Paperless. Eliminate paper clutter and if there is any information that you want to save, scan it and save it to your digital storage (i.e. Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). You don’t need stacks of statements and bills lying around here — opt for paperless bills — the trees will thank you!

6. Donate or Sell Clothing. Maybe it no longer fits, maybe you’ve barely worn it, maybe it’s not your style anymore. Whatever the case may be, donate or sell it. We have many second-hand stores in NYC like Beacon’s Closet and Crossroads. Find stores that are accepting donations and buying in your area and get those garments out of your home!

7. Use Kitchen Containers & Labels. Find everything you need easily by using kitchen containers to organize perishables. Categorize and label everything so that next time you go to bake, or prep a nice dinner, you have everything you need at your well-organized fingertips! Added plus: it makes kitchen clean up easier too.

Happy organizing!