You Don’t Have to Be a Minimalist to Be Organized
If I have to see one more photo of a spotless, all-white kitchen where not even a banana dares to exist, I might lose it.
You know the ones - every jar labeled in identical handwriting, a single wooden spoon for “aesthetic,” and absolutely zero sign that anyone actually eats there.
Meanwhile, my kitchen has life. There are cereal boxes, mail piles that migrate, and occasionally a cat who thinks the counter is his throne. And you know what? That’s not disorganized - that’s real. (Though I can’t lie, I have been working on containers for the pantry, but the “why” for that can come in another post).
The Real Definition of Organized
Organization isn’t about looking like a magazine spread - it’s about being able to find what you need when you need it, so you don’t keep losing your ish.
If you can open a drawer, grab a battery, and not get lost in a sea of random cords and old birthday candles, congratulations - you’re organized.
Matching bins and beige walls are nice if that’s your thing, but they don’t make your home function better. The real win is when your system actually works for your family, not just your camera roll (it is nice when both happen, though).
Real Homes Have Boxes and Bags
Minimalism can be beautiful, but most of us live in homes that are more “beautiful chaos” than “zen retreat.”
Real homes have pets, kids, snacks, and that one drawer that holds everything from scissors to a mystery key you’re afraid to throw away.
The point isn’t to erase those things; it’s to give them a place to live so they don’t take over. “Lived-in” order is the goal, not perfection. Or controlled chaos.
Function Over Fantasy
Pinterest pantries don’t survive snack-loving children or late-night cereal raids. Systems that look good but take too much effort to maintain end up abandoned faster than a January gym membership.
So here’s what does work:
A quick 10-minute reset each night. (for us, it’s the kitchen, at minimum, a clean counter for the before-school tornado)
Designated “drop zones” for mail, shoes, and backpacks.
Bins labeled for function, not for show (and bonus points if they don’t all match - you’re not auditioning for HGTV).
And remember: less stuff does mean less clutter. But that doesn’t mean you have to become a minimalist monk - it just means being intentional about what earns space in your home.
Decluttering Tips - With Less Drama
Here are a few of my favorite non-aesthetic but actually helpful organizing tricks:
Turn your hangers around after a purge.
Put a date on the first one. In 6, 8, or 10 months, anything that hasn’t been worn gets donated, sold, or repurposed.
Try the “T-shirt Number Rule.”
My fiancé and I gave ourselves a set number of how many we really wear. (Spoiler: it wasn’t 47, or 78.)
It made decisions simple - if a new shirt came in, one had to go out. They at least all had to fit where they belonged.
Make Sentimental Stuff Useful.
We both had piles of old concert and sentimental shirts. Instead of storing them forever, we turned them into blankets. Now, instead of stuffed bins, we have cozy memories we actually use.
Tag-Team the Purge.
Decluttering with a partner makes it easier (and more honest). You can do this with a partner, friend, sibling- anyone who will keep you honest.
One person keeps the momentum while the other checks if you really need a third pizza cutter.
Use Sell/Donate Apps.
If something still has value, list it on Mercari, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace. Don’t get caught up in having to sell everything or it never leaves, but it can be a good little side stash for treat yo’self moments.
It feels good to know your stuff is going to someone who’ll actually use it - whether you sell or donate it.
Being organized isn’t about how your home looks to strangers - it’s about how it works for you.
It’s okay if your system isn’t pretty. It’s okay if your pantry isn’t alphabetized.
If your home runs smoother, feels calmer, and supports the real life happening inside it, you’ve nailed it.
So keep your bananas on the counter, your cereal in sight, and your sanity intact; that’s real-life organization at its finest. 🍌
