Gretchen Rubin’s Tips on Organizing: Use What You Already Have

In Outer Order, Inner Calm, I write about how clearing clutter and creating order can make us feel lighter, happier, and more focused. But getting organized doesn’t mean rushing out to buy new bins or storage systems. Often, the best place to start is by taking inventory and figuring out how to use what we already have.

 

Actually know what you have

How many times have you bought a new notebook only to find a stack hiding in a drawer? Or picked up more batteries because you weren’t sure if you had any at home? Before bringing in anything new, take inventory. Open every drawer, look through every shelf, and make sure you know what you already own.

Keep things where you use them

Organization isn’t just about tidiness—it’s about making life easier. The most useful things are the ones that are easy to grab when we need them. If you’re always hunting for scissors, don’t keep them in a desk drawer across the house—store a pair where you actually use them.

A few easy adjustments:

Store your keys by the door instead of tossing them onto different surfaces. Keep a small basket of office supplies where you work, rather than stashed in a deep drawer. Place a laundry basket in the bathroom if that’s where clothes tend to accumulate.

Love it, use it, or let it go

If you don’t love it and don’t use it, why keep it? I ask myself: “Do I need it? Do I use it? Do I love it?” If not, I consider donating it.

To help decide, ask yourself:

Have I used this in the last year? Would I buy this again today? Is this taking up space that could be better used for something I actually need?

Get creative with what you already have

Once you’ve gone through these steps, you may find you don’t need to buy new organizers or storage solutions at all—you don’t have anything that needs to be organized. Beyond that, you can repurpose everyday items to help keep things in order. You might even have quite a bit of fun in the process. For instance:

Turn a wall or whiteboard into a visual to-do list. Use washi tape and Post-its to create a flexible, movable calendar or task board. Jot down tasks or appointments and move them around as plans shift—no fancy planner required. Repurpose jars and boxes. Mason jars can hold pens, kitchen utensils, or makeup brushes. A shoebox can become a drawer divider, and an old gift box can store chargers and cords neatly. Use an old magazine holder in new ways. Turn it on its side to store cutting boards or foil and plastic wrap in the kitchen. Stand it upright to keep notebooks or mail organized. Label with what you have. Instead of buying new labels, use masking tape and a Sharpie or cut up an old cereal box into DIY tags for storage bins. Make a “put-away bin.” Designate a basket or tote bag as a home for stray items that need to go back to their places—great for tidying up quickly.

When we take stock, declutter, and get creative, we often realize we don’t need to buy anything new to feel more organized. We just need to use what we already have—more intentionally.