Opening Remarks
Every time I open WeChat Moments and Xiaohongshu, seeing how neat and tidy other people's homes are makes me incredibly envious. But looking at my own home, with clothes thrown around, books scattered everywhere, and desks piled with miscellaneous items, it's simply a mess. As a former organization novice, I totally understand this feeling. Don't worry though - after years of trial and error, I've finally found a set of organization secrets perfect for lazy people, which I'll share today with others who face the same struggles.
Time Management
When it comes to organization, the most frustrating thing is how time-consuming it feels. Seeing a huge pile of stuff that needs tidying can be so discouraging that you just want to throw everything away. Actually, there's no need to be that extreme - the key is learning how to manage time effectively.
My favorite method now is the "15-minute rule". Set yourself a 15-minute goal each day to focus on organizing just one area. For example, today you might organize your desk, sorting through the mountain of books, stationery, and miscellaneous items; tomorrow you can tackle the messiest drawer in your wardrobe, folding and categorizing all the jumbled clothes inside. This approach works great because the time is so short that it doesn't feel pressuring, and you can see clear progress each time, which is really satisfying.
Another of my secret tricks is the "10-minute pre-bed tidying method". Take 10 minutes before bed to do some quick organizing around you. Fold and put away changed clothes into the closet, put used cosmetics back in drawers, throw away snack packaging from the desk, and take used cups to the kitchen. When you wake up the next morning and see a clean and tidy room, your mood instantly improves, and you feel energized for the day.
Sometimes when work or study is particularly busy, you might not even have these 15 minutes to spare. That's okay - we can break down the time even further. For instance, while brushing your teeth, quickly wipe down the sink; while waiting for takeout, tidy up the desk; while watching shows, fold some clothes. When organizing becomes a small habit in your life, it gradually stops feeling like a burden.
Preparation
Before starting a major cleanup, I recommend doing a "room inspection" first. Like a detective solving a case, take a small notebook and walk through each room. Note down which corners in the bedroom need organizing, what clutter is under the living room coffee table, how messy the kitchen spices are, how to organize bathroom skincare products - write it all down. This not only gives you a comprehensive understanding of your home's condition but also helps create a clear organization plan.
Speaking of preparation, I made a huge mistake before. Seeing various storage solutions recommended online, I immediately bought a ton of them. Clear storage boxes, drawer dividers, hanging storage racks - I bought them all enthusiastically. However, when I actually started organizing, I discovered these items didn't suit my home's situation at all. Some storage boxes were too big to fit in cabinets; some dividers were the wrong size for drawers; some hanging racks were so heavy they warped the doors. In the end, these organizing items either went unused or had to be resold.
So now I strongly recommend everyone: organize first, then buy storage items. First categorize and organize the things in your home, see what kind of storage tools you really need, then make targeted purchases. This not only avoids wasting money but also ensures you buy the most suitable storage solutions.
Before starting to organize, you also need to prepare mentally. Don't expect to make your home look like a showroom in just one day - that puts too much pressure on yourself. Organization is a gradual process; give yourself time to adapt and adjust.
Space Planning
When it comes to space planning, the most important thing is learning to fully utilize vertical space. Many people's storage thinking stays at the horizontal level, but there's actually lots of space to develop upward.
Take my kitchen for example - previously, cutting boards were stacked horizontally in the cabinet, and I had to take out everything on top to find the one at the bottom, which was really troublesome. Later, I installed a simple divider in the cabinet and stood all the cutting boards upright, arranged like books. This not only saved a lot of space but also made finding things much more convenient - you can grab whichever one you want without moving the others.
The same principle applies to pot lid storage. Previously, pot lids were just piled randomly in the cabinet, but now I've installed a rack on the back of the cabinet door to store them upright. Frying pans are the same - I bought a vertical pan rack to store them standing up, which looks good and is very practical.
When choosing furniture, I especially recommend selecting pieces with storage functions. Although they might be more expensive than regular furniture, they're definitely worth it in the long run. For instance, my bed has storage drawers - four large drawers underneath that can store lots of seasonal clothing, bedding, blankets, and such. Things you don't need regularly can be stored away, and when you need them, just pull out the drawer - it doesn't take up any extra space.
The living room coffee table is also a lift-top storage model - you can put snacks and fruit on top, and inside there's space for remote controls, chargers, magazines, and other commonly used small items. The sofa also has storage function - there's storage space under the cushions for pillows, blankets, and other bulky but less frequently used items.
The bay window in the bedroom has also been transformed into a super practical storage area. I added several drawers under the bay window for books, stationery, and miscellaneous items, and put soft cushions on top to create a comfortable rest area. This not only makes full use of the space but also makes the room feel especially cozy.
Practical Tips
For kitchen organization, I recently discovered a particularly useful method: dividing the kitchen into different functional zones. It might sound professional, but it's actually very easy to understand.
Taking my kitchen as an example, the sink area is the cleaning zone for dish soap, scrubbers, and cleaning cloths; next to the stove is the cooking zone for seasonings, spatulas, and chopsticks; beside the refrigerator is the food prep zone for cutting boards, knives, and prep stations. After zoning like this, cooking becomes very orderly, and you no longer need to search everywhere for things like before.
Organizing seasonings is also a key point. I bought a rotating spice rack for frequently used seasonings. When cooking, just rotate it to find the seasoning you need - very convenient. Less frequently used seasonings are stored in cabinets, categorized in small baskets, ready to take out when needed.
Kitchen food containers are another headache. Previously, my containers were just stuffed randomly in cabinets, and lids often didn't match their containers, making them hard to find. Later, I took out all the containers and categorized them by size, separating containers and lids. Large containers go on the bottom, small ones on top, and lids stand upright beside them. Now everything is clear at a glance, and there's no more frustration finding matching lids.
For clothing storage, I have a particularly practical tip: keep complete bedding sets in their matching pillowcase. That means folding the bed sheet, duvet cover, and pillowcases together and storing them in one of the pillowcases. This not only keeps bedding sets together but also makes changing bedding very convenient - just grab one pillowcase and you have the complete set.
Sock storage also has its tricks. I now wash socks in mesh bags, which prevents losing them in the washing machine. After washing, sort socks by type, roll them up, and store them upright in drawers. This not only looks neat but makes finding pairs very convenient.
Underwear storage has its own trick too. I use storage boxes in drawers to categorize underwear, folding bras like dumplings and standing them side by side; underwear is rolled up and arranged like sushi. This not only protects the shape of underwear but makes finding items very convenient.
Creative Solutions
Finally, I'll share some creative storage solutions I find particularly useful. First is the "daily essentials storage box" - this has really saved me as someone who often misplaces things. It's simply a small basket by the door specifically for keys, masks, earphones, chargers, and other frequently used small items. This way, you don't have to search the whole house when leaving - all essentials are in one fixed place.
Then there's the cable storage issue. Various charging cables for digital devices can easily become a tangled mess. My solution is using empty toilet paper rolls to store charging cables - each cable is rolled up and placed in a roll, then labeled with bread bag clips noting which device it's for. This is not only environmentally friendly but keeps everything organized clearly - just grab the corresponding roll when needed.
Cosmetics storage also has its techniques. I use storage boxes in drawers to categorize cosmetics - base makeup, eye makeup, and lip products each get their own section. Frequently used items go in the most accessible positions, less used ones at the back. This way, you don't have to dig around when doing makeup.
Jewelry storage also has a creative solution. I use a cork board with various small hooks attached to hang necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. This not only prevents jewelry from tangling but lets you see all your pieces at once, making coordination very convenient.
Stationery storage can be creative too. I use an old metal box with magnets inside - paper clips and pins stick to the magnets, preventing them from scattering everywhere. Pens are stored in old cans, standing on the desk looking both good and practical.
Conclusion
Organization isn't really that difficult - the key is finding methods that work for you. Don't feel pressured by those perfect organization photos online; everyone's lifestyle is different, so naturally, their organization methods will differ too. Start with small things, gradually develop organization habits, and you'll be able to create a clean and tidy living space. Remember, the ultimate goal of organization isn't perfection, but making life easier and more comfortable.
