5 Spaces You're Forgetting to Organize (and How to Tackle Them)
Even the most organized homes can have hidden areas of chaos. While your living room or pantry might look Instagram-worthy, there are often overlooked spaces where clutter quietly builds up.
Feeling ready to calm the chaos in your home? Here are 5 spaces you're probably forgetting to organize—plus easy strategies to tackle them effectively.
1. Under the Kitchen Sink
This space is often a black hole of cleaning supplies, plastic bags, and who-knows-what-else. It's one of the most overlooked spots in the home because it’s out of sight—until you grow frustrated trying to dig through it for dish soap or cleaning products.
How to Tackle It:
Use bins or baskets to group similar items (e.g., sponges, sprays, or trash bags).
Add shelf risers to maximize vertical space.
Use the back of the door. Hanging organizer, or stick on container for sponges etc.
Prevent spills by placing cleaning supplies on a tray or mat.
Label your bins to make it easy to find what you need (and to make cleanups even simpler).
Pro Tip: Store only what you use regularly and relocate rarely used items (like specialty cleaners) to another area.
2. The Junk Drawer
We all have one. It's the catch-all for scissors, rubber bands, batteries, pens, and that one lonely spare key you keep "just in case." The junk drawer is notorious for collecting clutter because it lacks structure.
How to Tackle It:
Start by emptying the drawer completely. Toss out trash or items that don't belong.
Add small dividers, trays, or containers to create individual compartments for different items (e.g., tools, pens, and miscellaneous bits).
Commit to routine maintenance—set a reminder to sort through it every few months.
Pro Tip: If you haven’t used something in six months, it probably doesn’t belong in the drawer.
3. Bathroom Cabinets
It’s easy to shove toiletries and products into bathroom cabinets, but soon enough, you’re swimming in expired skincare bottles, half-empty shampoo bottles, and tangled cords for hair tools.
How to Tackle It:
Use clear containers so you can quickly see what's inside.
Add lazy Susans or tiered shelves to make the most of small spaces.
Sort toiletries by categories, such as skincare, hair care, and first aid.
Check expiration dates on products and toss anything that’s past its prime.
Pro Tip: Designate a single bin or container for “extras” to keep backup items neat and prevent overbuying.
4. Entryway or Mudroom
Your entryway or mudroom is the first space guests see—and the first place where clutter, like shoes, bags, and mail, tends to pile up.
How to Tackle It:
Add wall hooks or a coat rack to hang jackets, scarves, and bags.
Use a shoe rack or a basket for footwear to keep pairs neat.
Introduce labeled baskets or bins for smaller items like gloves, hats, or keys.
Set up a mail station with a tray to hold letters or packages.
Pro Tip: Make it a habit to declutter the space weekly so it doesn’t overwhelm you. If your space only allows you to store your families coats for that specific season, store the others in a different closet to open up more space.
5. Digital Clutter
Organizing doesn’t stop at physical spaces! Your inbox, photo gallery, and desktop are the modern-day version of a junk drawer. Digital clutter can feel invisible but contributes to mental clutter.
How to Tackle It:
Start with your inbox by unsubscribing from newsletters you no longer read and setting up folders or filters.
Declutter your photo gallery by deleting duplicates or blurry images.
Organize files into clearly labeled folders on your computer or cloud storage.
Set aside 15 minutes weekly to maintain your digital order.
Pro Tip: Use tools like cloud backup software to keep everything secure and centralized. There are apps to help you clear out double photos such as Remo Duplicate Photo Remover, Clean My Photos: Phone Cleaner etc.
Reclaim Your Spaces and Breathe Easy
Once you tackle these often overlooked spaces, you’ll notice your entire home feels more organized—like a sense of order and calm has been restored.
Need a helping hand? Visit www.amyjoymistal.com for expert tips and resources. If you’re ready to take things further, I’m here to help with online declutter coaching tailored to your specific needs.
No space is too small to organize—it’s time to calm the chaos and create a home that truly works for you!