Fall Reset: Simple Systems to Prep Your Home for Cooler, Cozier Days
Fall into place!
Autumn is officially upon us, and that means: time to swap your flip-flops for fuzzy boots and dig out that one glove that’s been MIA since last March. Before the cold really hits, let's take a moment for a seasonal reset! No need for a massive overhaul that takes up your whole weekend – with just a few smart systems in place and the right organizing tools, you can prepare your home to be cool-weather-ready and chaos-free.
The easy entrance
Let's face it: your home's entry area either works for you or against you. Think of the entryway as your first line of defense; with the right set up, your tidying efforts won't need constant reinforcement.
Add wall hooks at kid & adult height. Coats don’t belong on the floor or the back of every chair. Staggered wall hooks make it easy for everyone in the family to hang their jackets, bags, and umbrellas.
Designate a shoe spot like a tray, rack, or cubbies. This signals “shoes off!” without saying a word, and suddenly, those muddy boots no longer leave trails all over the house.
Use open-top bins for scarves, gloves, hats – all you reach for on colder mornings. Categorize by accessory type, or consider giving each family member their own bin so they feel a sense of ownership, which in turn may lead to an easier-maintained automatic routine.
Closet control
Purge + donate. A change of season is always a good time for a closet revamp. Moving those wool sweaters and heavier jackets to a more primary location is the obvious first step. And while you're switching things up, why not take a moment for a nice wardrobe purge, followed by a trip to the local donation center? This not only does good for others, it also creates needed breathing room in tight spaces, which can do wonders for a more workable closet.
Try an as-you-go approach. If the idea of a giant closet purge looms large and keeps you from even starting, consider doing it along the way. Designate a larger bin for donations inside every closet throughout the house. When getting dressed in the morning and it’s suddenly too small / too itchy / too “not my style anymore,” it goes straight into the bin, easy peasy. Once the bins are full, make it a family mission to drop it off for donation. Simple, helpful, done.
The MISC bin
Don't fight the miscellany! As the temps cool and time spent indoors increases, there are more opportunities for clutter to build and tripping hazards to appear. Of course you can do your best to create special places for every little thing, but inevitably there are items that defy categorization - not everything fits neatly into a group or has an obvious place. Give yourself a pass! and allow bins for... whatever! that you then re-organize... whenever!
Why not more than one? We love misc bins, large and small, no reason to not have a few and spread them out. Designate some for the family in common areas, and give one to each kid to put in their own spaces. This is our favorite "no-system" system; you'll be amazed at how a quick cleanup into a misc bin can reset your brain and allow you to focus on what's important.
Set It and Forget It
Fall is about cozying up and getting ready for the holiday season to come. When you set up systems around the house that do the thinking for you, suddenly you'll have more of that family time you crave. With the right organizing solutions in the best, most convenient places, everything has a home. And when everything has a home, that’s when the mess stops building up. Your family members aren't going to suddenly become minimalist organizing experts overnight, but if you build systems that are easy and intuitive, everyone naturally falls into the routine without even noticing it. Take the time now to reset your space, and you'll set your family up for a calmer, more organized season.