Get your new year off to a great start with these organization tips!

#1 – Establish a toy “jail”

A toy jail is a place where bad little toys go and live for an extended stay because they weren’t picked up! This is a superb idea for helping to motivate your little one’s to keep on top of toy pick up. Whether you establish a toy jail, penalty box or time out area, simply create a place where your children know their favorite toys will go and stay for a while if they aren’t picked up when asked.” (This fabulous idea comes simplify 101 – Thank you!)

Tip #2 – Clear the Clutter

1. Acknowledge that you have a problem with stuff.
2. Decide that you are ready to make a change.
3. De-clutter, drawer by drawer, closet by closet – haul it away.
4. Find a place or individual that will benefit from your stuff (Good Will, Salvation Army, your church, etc.)

Thanks for the steps, you can read more on clearing clutter on her blog reluctant entertainer.

Tip #3 – Everything in its place

Everything in its place.  So how do you do it? It’s simple. For everything that you own, designate a place for it. You can even label some of those places, to make it easier to remember. Find something that doesn’t have a place? Designate a place for it. Then simply put things back where they belong when you’re done using them. It sounds simple, but it actually takes a lot of practice to get this habit down. Read this article for more.

tip from: zen habits

photo from: pottery barn kids

Tip #4 – do a little at a time

Just like you eat an elephant one bite at a time, so, too, do you organize your life one day at a time, one thing at a time. If you feel disorganized, you didn’t get that way overnight. So don’t expect to get organized overnight. Or even in one week.

idea from: simple mom

Tip #5 – Own what you love

Just because somebody you love gave you something doesn’t mean you have to display it or, in my case, even keep it if it’s not to your taste. I’m ruthless about this and feel it’s much better to pass it on to someone who will appreciate it more or to someplace that can use it. I can honestly say that in my house we only have things we really like. Martin doesn’t always agree with all of my things and I may not always agree on all of his but at least someone in our household loves it.

tip from: Chez Larsson at Apartment Therapy

Tip #6  Never Lose Your Keys/MP3/Checkbook/Cell Phone/Pacifier Again

Clearly not every item that you need to monitor can be stuck to cork board with a pushpin or hung from your front door by a cute, pink magnet. But keeping track of the things that keep you on track – and on time… Find a location – perhaps by the front door – and a system that works for you, and then stick to it. If you choose a hook for keys, use it each and every time you walk in the door. If your husband is scrambling each morning to find his wallet, make sure he puts it in the same catchall each evening. There is nothing better than finally getting shoes on each and every kid and being able to reach for your sunglasses to find them exactly where you left them.

tip from:  Resourceful Mommy

I loved this idea Rachel sent to us:

I was always rushed for time when my son was young and this idea was a huge time saver for us. I bought the large zip top bags and wrote each day of the week on its own bag. On Sunday evening (the day I usually did laundry) each bag was packed with a shirt, pair of pants, socks, and underwear. In the time it takes to fold the laundry you have to fold anyway, you have the entire week’s worth of outfits ready to go!

Tip #7  Less Stuff=Less Cleaning

The most important thing-The less stuff you have the easier it is to clean and straighten.

tip from: Clover Lane

Tip #8 Throw away 730 Items

One of my goals for the new year is to get rid of 730 items in my home. Why 730?  That averages out to be 2 items per day for the 365 day year.  That’s a whole lotta stuff! I’m not talking about regular trash or food items, either.

tip from: Amy’s Finer Things

Tip #9 Don’t put it down…

Don’t put it down…put it away!

tip from: My husband to the kids!

Tip #10 Get Down

Get down to your child’s eye level to help him or her get organized. Look at your child’s space, storage, furniture and possessions from his or her vantage point. The view may surprise you!

tip from: Organized Home

Tip #11 Stop using Post-it notes

Stop using Post-its to remind yourself of important information. They’re just to easy to lose and they’re ugly when plastered all over your monitor. Instead, keep a little notebook on your desk to write down reminder notes.

tip from: lifeclever

Tip #12 Quick Clean Up Game

Set a Timer for Quick Clean Ups – Many days I will give myself 15 minutes and run thru a few rooms and just pick up stray times, fluff and straighten the room. You’ll be surprised how often this will motivate you to keep going. Get the kids to help – make it a game!

Tip from: TidyMom

Tip #13 – Comet Cleaning

I’m old school: I still use Comet in powder form to clean my shower and my kitchen sink. I’ve never found anything that works better. I cover half the holes with masking tape so it lasts longer.

Tip From: Just Lisa, No Fillers {Check out here complete cleaning tips you might not know about}

Tip #14 – Don’t Let it Sit!

Don’t Let it sit for later (clean up asap)- a mess is much easier to clean up when it happens. Once food or dirt is allowed to dry or soak in, it’s going to take a lot more time and elbow grease to clean it later.

Another Tip from: TidyMom {wonderful site}