7 Organizing Habits You Should Break

They could be doing more harm than good.

Even if you feel as though you struggle in the organization department, there is always room for improvement! If you're looking to make major headway on your space, be sure to avoid the seven bad habits below, which professional organizers say are hindering your progress.

Buying Containers Right Away

With so many aesthetically pleasing organization tools on the market, it can be tempting to buy storage containers before you tackle your project. However, Stephanie Worinkeng, a professional organizer and the founder of A Time to Organize in Greenville, South Carolina, notes that you're better off waiting to make any of these purchases until you've started your purge.

"Fun containers and organizing products are like the icing on the cake," she says. "How will you know what sizes, number of containers, or type [to buy], if you don’t know what and how much you are containerizing?"

Additionally, as Allison Collins notes, you may be better off repurposing bins that you already have around the house instead of buying them brand new. If you do purchase new receptacles, skip them clear ones, adds the founder of Coastal Carolina Organizing in Hampstead, North Carolina. "If you’re looking to hide some of the clutter, this will not hide anything," she says.

Last but not least, don't solely buy organizing bins because they're on sale.

"When you purchase mismatched large plastic totes, storage areas tend to look more cluttered, even if they are actually organized," says Jamie Gibberman, co-owner of Get Organized RVA in Richmond, Virginia. "Sticking with the same style and color of bin is essential to creating a visually pleasing space."  

Not Using Labels

All bins, no matter their style, should be labeled, Glibberman adds.

"While sometimes people may not like the look of 'words' as part of a space, having labels significantly increases the likelihood of a space being maintained," she says. Do not feel pressured to purchase a label maker, creating handwritten labels using tape can work just fine, Glibberman explains.

Not Measuring Your Space

On a related note, you will want to be sure to have proper measurements on hand before buying baskets or containers for a drawer or closet. "It is always so disheartening and frustrating to find what you think is the perfect product, only to find it does not fit," Worinkeng says.

Establishing Broad Categories

When organizing, you want to aim to make your life easier, not harder, and therefore, you should be mindful to not overcomplicate systems, says Laura Gutowski, the founder of Everything In Its Space in James Island, South Carolina.

"For example, files with just one piece of paper inside that are unlikely to ever be referenced," she says. "Instead, make broad categories like ‘home’ or ‘car’ or ‘important documents’—it will be easier to file papers, so you will be more likely to actually do it, and on the off-chance you need a certain document it will still be quick to find."

Following Someone Else's System

What works for your sister or neighbor may not work well for you with regard to organizing, and that is more than ok.

"People should avoid blindly following someone else’s organizing system," Gutowski says. "Everyone has different behaviors, routines and styles, and people think about things in different ways." For example, she explains, one person may sort their spices alphabetically, while another may sort by cuisine or flavor. "Focus on what works for you and your family," the organizer says.

Becoming Overwhelmed

Don't let being overwhelmed prevent you from getting your space in order.

"We tend to procrastinate when we feel overwhelmed," says Perri Kersh, the founder of Neat Freak Professional Organizing, LLC, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. "Rather than letting chores, tasks or items pile up, build a new habit around dealing with a few things every day." For example, she says, maybe this means sorting through mail twice a week, doing laundry a few days a week, or cleaning dishes every night before bed. "Doing small tasks regularly is much more approachable than climbing a mountain of things that have accumulated over time," she says.

Expecting Picture Perfect Outcomes

You shouldn't organize with the intention that your home will resemble a picture perfect home from an organization reality show. "Make it functional for you, your house, and your space," Collins says. And, she adds, don't be afraid to call in a pro for help if you're feeling overwhelmed—this is a better solution than leaving your decluttering project unfinished. "We're not going to judge you," she says. Glibberman agrees, noting, "The investment will pay back in dividends—extra time, more space, more (literal) breathing room and a calmer, more productive, you."

Even if you don't intend to hire an organizer, do not make a habit of trying to do everything yourself when you can recruit family members to help with organization tasks, Kersh adds.

"Get in the habit of delegating tasks and divide the labor around your household so everyone has some level of responsibility," she says. "Give up on the idea that it’s all about perfection. Your home does not need to be magazine-shoot ready every single day."

Article from Southern Living