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Welcome, Parent Player One, to the high-stakes game of family life. You’ve been handed a controller and dropped into a world of chaos: laundry monsters, snack crumbs that defy physics, and a battlefield strewn with toys and unidentified sticky substances. The goal? Survive, thrive, and somehow still have time for coffee.
But here’s the plot twist: you don’t need to overhaul your entire life to win. Tiny, strategic moves can bring order to your world and level up your sanity. Ready to play? Let’s dive into the hacks that will help get rid of the junk and take you from cluttered to calm without triggering a total meltdown.
LEVEL 1: TAME THE ENTRYWAY
Every family’s entryway is a black hole of chaos. Shoes, backpacks, keys—it’s like a Bermuda Triangle for your sanity. But with a few small tweaks, you can transform it into a functional space.
Hook It Up: Install hooks for backpacks, coats, and bags. Bonus points for assigning one hook per family member.
Drop Zone: Add a tray or basket for keys, wallets, and phones. If it doesn’t fit in the tray, it doesn’t belong there.
Shoe Rules: Limit each person to two pairs of shoes in the entryway. The rest? Straight to the closet.
Pro tip: Labeling is your secret weapon. Even toddlers can learn where “their spot” is if you slap their name on it.
LEVEL 2: CONQUER THE KITCHEN
The kitchen is your command center, but it’s also the messiest level. From rogue Tupperware lids to an army of mismatched mugs, the clutter is real. Here’s how to win:
Zone Defense: Assign specific zones for snacks, meal prep, and kids’ dishes. When everything has a home, cleanup becomes second nature.
Purge Like a Pro: If you haven’t used that gadget in a year (hello, waffle iron), it’s time to let it go. Same goes for expired spices and the questionable jar of mystery sauce in the fridge.
One In, One Out: New plate set? Donate the old one. This simple rule keeps cabinets from overflowing.
LEVEL 3: MASTER THE TOY ROOM
Ah, the toy room—a level that feels unwinnable. But don’t hit the reset button just yet. With the right strategies, you can reclaim this space.
Toy Rotation: Pack up half the toys and store them out of sight. Every month, swap them out. Kids love “new” toys, and you’ll love the cleaner playroom.
Bins Are Your Besties: Sort toys into clear, labeled bins by type: LEGOs, dolls, cars, etc. This not only makes cleanup easier but also teaches kids where things belong.
Set Boundaries: Use a basket or shelf as a limit. When it’s full, no more toys can come in unless old ones go out.
LEVEL 4: TACKLE THE CLOSET CHAOS
Closets are often the final frontier, a place where forgotten items go to die. But with a little effort, they can become your ultimate storage ally.
Seasonal Swap: Store out-of-season clothes in labeled bins to free up space.
Uniform Hangers: Invest in matching hangers to create a cohesive, organized look. (Yes, it makes a difference.)
Rule of Five: If you have more than five of something—shoes, hoodies, or jeans—it’s time to pare down.
LEVEL 5: DAILY RESET MODE
The secret to maintaining an organized home isn’t about doing everything all at once—it’s about building habits that stick. Enter the nightly reset.
Five-Minute Blitz: Set a timer and have the whole family put things back where they belong. Make it a game to see who finishes first.
Prep for Tomorrow: Lay out clothes, pack lunches, and load the dishwasher before bed. Your future self will thank you.
Celebrate Wins: Small victories, like a clean countertop or an empty laundry basket, deserve recognition. Reward yourself with something that isn’t just more clutter.
WINNING THE GAME
Here’s the truth: perfection isn’t the goal. The goal is progress—creating a home that works for your family and gives you space to breathe. By focusing on small, manageable changes, you’ll see a big difference over time.
So, Parent Player One, are you ready to level up? The battlefield of clutter may seem daunting, but with these hacks in your arsenal, victory is within reach. Take it one step (and one bin) at a time. You’ve got this. Now, go forth and conquer. Coffee break optional but highly recommended.