We know getting organized can be a lofty goal for some - resolution or not! You may have time or energy constraints from working full-time and raising a family, or it may not be financially feasible to hire a team of professionals to do it for you!

Well, this month we are sharing some pro secrets - 4 tips to help you organize on a budget! That’s right, we are going to help you start off the year by getting organized for under $100. Read on to get our recommendations, including some FREE steps!

STEP ONE: SET A GOAL (Free step!)

As with any big project or task, you must figure out what your GOAL is. Are you looking to maximize a small space? Does the function of your home need to be expanded? Are you looking to create an aesthetically beautiful home? Decide what your goal is and go from there!

STEP TWO: DECLUTTER (also free!)

The next step we recommend in getting organized is to DECLUTTER your home/space(s). This involves sorting through your belongings and discarding items that are no longer used, needed, or loved. This will immediately lighten the load of what you have in your home and create a sense of peace right away. We suggest having bags or boxes for toss, recycling, donate, and sell/rehome. Then the hardest part of this step is to actually get those items OUT OF YOUR HOME. Block off time on your calendar to take items to donation centers or plan ahead so your items can go right to the curb for trash/recycling pick up instead of sitting in your home.

SWOON TIP: If you live in a small space like an apartment, as you declutter, decide if there’s anything that can be relocated to a new home/location. What categories might be able to go to a storage unit? This can also help alleviate clutter if you have too much stuff in your living space but can’t pare down any further.

STEP THREE: PLAN YOUR SPACE

We think this is the fun part. Plan your space and decide where things will live! Keep in mind what items you use most frequently and keep those in the most accessible spots. Another thing to consider is the volume of a category as well as the space you intend to fill. If you have 15 pairs of shoes and only space on your current shoe shelf for 8 pairs, it’s time for a better shoe solution!

Whether you are able to spend $100 or are looking to keep the cost as low as possible, we suggest investing in the biggest “difference makers” and then DIYing the rest. Here are a few of our absolute must-have products for getting organized (and feeling the difference):

Matching Black Felt Hangers (Closet, about $20)
Pantry Bins (Kitchen/Pantry, about $25)
Drawer System (Cleaning/Laundry/Bathroom, about $25)
3M Hooks (Closet/Bathroom/Utility, about $5-$15)
Over the Door Storage (Closet/Bathroom/Utility/Cleaning, about $15)

If your goal is to get organized for little-to-no cost, repurposing boxes, jars, and other household items is an easy and functional hack. Take those granola bar boxes, cut off the tops, and use them inside your kitchen drawers to divide up snacks. Use empty jewelry and electronics boxes to create makeshift (or custom) drawer organizers! Glass jars are perfect for smaller items like cotton swabs and flossers in your bathroom. See how creative you can get here!

STEP FOUR: IMPLEMENT + LABEL

Now it’s time for the finishing touches! Once you’ve purchased or gathered all of your products (or resourceful upcycles), it's time to place them and put things away. Solidify your system by adding LABELS to each box, bin, or canister you’re setting up. No label maker? No problem! Even adding a simple piece of tape with a sharpie name will offer a visual reminder of where things go when they’re not being used. (If you’re looking for a more aesthetic look, clear tape is a classic and subtle way to finish the job).

There you have it! 4 quick and easy steps you can use to get organized for under $100! We hope these four tips motivate you to get organized as you enter the new year. If you’re looking for more details on how to organize specific spaces, we highlight a few different spaces featured throughout our blog with tips, specific recommendations, and products!

Now that you’ve started getting organized, we have a feeling you won’t be able to stop. If you’re on a roll, check out our Amazon Storefront for all of our organizing product faves.

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