6 Tips for Affordable Organizing and Simple Living

Lately, the concept of simple living has gained immense popularity. I think it really appeals to those of us who feel stressed out and overwhelmed on a regular basis. Just imagine looking around you and seeing only things you use, enjoy or love, all nicely organized and accessible. How much better if you’re able to implement some affordable organizing?

You don’t have to be a minimalist either! I don’t consider myself a minimalist but I do like living clutter-free and organized. Basically I enjoy the possessions that I have, and because I have fewer possessions, I’m able to organize what’s left in a way that makes my heart happy.

I do still have quite a few of some things, like books. I have pared down considerably, but dang if I don’t still have a lot of books! And you know what? I’m good with that. They have shelves to live on and I know where to find them when I want to revisit them. My books are not allowed to outgrow the space I’ve given them and that is the key to keeping them organized.

Many people are seeking to declutter their lives, reduce stress, and create a more peaceful home environment. However, the thought of organizing can often feel overwhelming, especially when you’re on a budget. As it turns out, simple living goes hand in hand with staying on budget! The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to create an organized and serene living space. Here are some practical tips for affordable organizing that embrace the principles of simple living.

1. Declutter Before You Organize

I feel like a broken record on this topic: declutter, declutter, declutter. There’s no way around this step if you have too much stuff. You can’t organize clutter. Save the organizing for the things you actually want to keep and use, not for storing things you don’t want to think about. The first step to an organized home is always decluttering. Start by going through each room and identifying items you no longer need or use.

Set a Timer-When starting a decluttering project, it helps to set a timer for 15 to 30 minutes. Don’t think about how long the task will take you to finish, just work on it for 15 to 30 minutes. When you break decluttering up into smaller chunks of time, I generally recommend focusing on one small space at a time, rather than pulling everything out and making a huge mess. The easiest approach is to pick out obvious stuff like trash, then move on to things that may need to be put away where they actually go, then go ahead a pick out a few things you’re ready to let go of and donate. Before you know it, your timer will be going off and you’ll have a much neater space!

If you need ideas on things you can declutter now, check out this post on specific things you might want to get rid of today.

2. Repurpose and Upcycle

The key to affordable organizing is using what you have! Before you buy new organizing products, look around your home for items that can be repurposed. Here are some creative ideas:

• Jars: Perfect for storing small items like office supplies, craft materials, or pantry staples.
• Baskets: Use them to store ANYTHING! They add charm and texture to your space.
• Suitcases: Vintage suitcases can serve as stylish storage for seasonal clothing or linens while adding character to your decor.
• Cardboard Boxes: If you have some cardboard boxes that are in good shape, you can trim the flaps off the top and cover them with fabric (use a glue gun), contact paper or gift wrap to make them prettier.

3. Utilize Vertical Space

Maximizing vertical space is a smart way to organize without taking up too much valuable floor area. Consider these options:

• Wall Shelves: Install floating shelves to display books, plants, or decorative items. They’re functional and can enhance your decor. This might be a bit more of a monetary investment, but you can also look for old bookcases on FB Marketplace and at garage sales. They can be upcycled with paint, wallpaper or contact paper.
• Hooks and Pegboards: Use hooks to hang items such as bags, hats, or kitchen utensils. Pegboards are versatile and can be customized for various uses.
• Over-the-Door Organizers: These are great for shoes, cleaning supplies, or pantry items. They make great use of otherwise wasted space. I love my over the door shoe organizer for all those little random things that would otherwise be homeless. In mine, I have the spare pieces to my robot vacuum cleaner, some camera accessories, Gorilla glue, unused Command hooks and much more! I label each pocket that I use to house something random so I don’t forget what it’s for or what it goes with.

4. Affordable Organizing

When you do need to purchase organizing supplies, be strategic about it. Be sure to measure your spaces before shopping for just the right organizing pieces. You don’t want to get home and discover the organizing products you just purchased won’t fit. Here are a few inexpensive options:

• Thrift Stores and Garage Sales: You can often find unique storage solutions at a fraction of the cost. Look for baskets, bins, and furniture that can be repurposed.
• Dollar Stores: These stores can be a treasure trove for affordable organizing supplies like bins, containers, and labels. In the beginning, most of my organizers came from Dollar Stores because you don’t have to invest much but you still get the desired effect of having things contained, which contributes greatly to the overall look and use of a space. The bottom line is that these containers will get the job done well for now. You can upgrade over time as you can afford it, if you want to, but honestly I still use some of my cheap organizers.
• Online Marketplaces: Check local online marketplaces for second-hand items. You can often find quality storage solutions at discounted prices.
• Fabric Collapsible Bins: Amazon, Walmart and Target all have versions of the cube storage bins. They are pretty inexpensive and fit nicely on shelves, in closets, and linen closets. It’s amazing how much nicer your stock of sale-purchased toiletries look when contained in a cute bin, and you’ll never lose track of them again!

5. Label Everything

Labeling is a simple yet effective way to maintain organization. It helps everyone in the household know where things belong. Here’s how to do it affordably:

• DIY Labels: Use plain paper or cardstock to create labels. Write with a marker or print them out for a more polished look. Attach them to your bins with clips, string, glue gun or tape.
• Chalkboard Labels: Purchase chalkboard labels that can be reused. This way, you can easily change the contents of containers without wasting materials.
• Label Maker: I have a label maker I bought at Office Max 20 years ago and it’s still going strong. I have used it in the barn often, which has really put the labels to the test! Those labels are still on 15 years later in ALL kinds of crazy temperatures (mostly insanely hot)!

6. Maintain Your Organized Space

Once you’ve organized your home, it’s essential to maintain it. Here are a few tips to keep clutter at bay:

• Daily Tidying Routine: Spend a few minutes each day putting things back in their designated places. If something doesn’t have a home, there’s no time like right now to create one! This prevents clutter from building up.
• Weekly Declutter Sessions: Set aside time each week to assess your belongings and make sure everything is still needed and organized.
• Involve the Family: Encourage everyone in the household to participate in maintaining organization. Assign simpler tasks to a less willing spouse or kids to help make it easier on them, but still make it a team effort.
• One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, let go of one old item (or better yet, let go of two items for every one thing you bring in). This helps maintain balance and prevents clutter from accumulating.

How Are You Going to Simplify Today?

Affordable organizing doesn’t have to be a challenge. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can create an affordably organized and serene home environment without breaking the bank. By decluttering, repurposing, utilizing vertical space, and maintaining your organized space, you’ll foster a lifestyle that embraces simplicity and tranquility. Start small, and remember that every effort you make contributes to a more peaceful and fulfilling life. Happy organizing!