Let's just say it: Organization can be a bitch. It's time-consuming, stress-causing and, sometimes, even panic attack-inducing. But, it doesn't have to be that way!
We spoke with professional organizer Laura Cattano — whose clients include Brooklyn's patron saint of self-improvement, Lena Dunham — to separate the good advice from the bad. Here, Cattano busts five common organization myths that are holding you back from living your best-laid-out life.
Myth: Want to get organized? Start by buying containers.
Reality: "Buying containers without an actual purpose means you're putting the cart before the horse — it's reactive, not proactive. Edit your belongings first and see if you can reuse or repurpose existing storage in a new way, [then come up with a] focused list of what you may need."
Photo: Alice Gao.
Myth: If you haven't worn it in six months, get rid of it.
Reality: "It's not how long it's been since you've worn something, it's why you haven't worn it — so try it on! Maybe it just needs to be tailored, or you need to style it properly; you originally bought it to wear to work, so try pairing it with jeans and cute heels instead. Maybe you've worn it so much last year that you're just tired of it. If that's the case, archive it for next season."
Photo: Amelia Alpaugh.
Myth: You should set aside 15 minutes a day to organize.
Reality: "If you truly want to get your space and life in order, 15 minutes a day isn't going to cut it. Organizing isn't about tidying things up, it's about making decisions. Editing, sorting and coming up with solutions — takes time. Most professional organizers have a minimum of three-to-four hours per session for a reason! You need to dedicate time to get yourself organized. Once you've actually found a home for everything, you can then spend 15 minutes a day maintaining and making sure everything is back where it belongs."
Photo: Sebastian Marin.
Myth: Adopt a one-in, one-out policy; when you buy something, get rid of something else.
Reality: "While I agree with this in theory, getting rid of something just for the sake of it increases your chance of making a decision that, in time, you may regret. [This] can cause you to hold onto things even more. Instead, go through small areas of your home on a semi-regular basis. Make a large purchase at Sephora? Take a little time to go through the bathroom. Mid-season with nothing to wear? Go through your clothes to discover new things and to get rid of the old, unloved, or worse for wear. Eventually, it will become routine."
Photo: Gunnar Larson.
Myth: Take everything out of the closet (or drawer unit, or cabinet) and then sort through it all.
Reality: "Most people are anxious enough about having to face their dreaded closet, let alone organize it. Pulling everything out and seeing it all at once could push a person over the edge. Start by pulling out things you know you can get rid of (trash, donate, or sell), and reassess what's left. If it's a clothes closet, start by pulling out empty hangers to give you some room to move. Once the things you know you can get rid of are bagged and out of the room, sort what's left into categories and go through it again with a fresh eye."
Photo: Mindy Best.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Here's What Starter Homes Look Like Around The World