Are you struggling with your clutter? We’ve got you covered with some of our best design hacks to help you get organized. And don’t forget to check out our post about how clutter is linked to your mental health. 

Interior design isn’t just about aesthetics. First and foremost, great design is about function. When I meet with my clients for the first time, we spend most of our time talking about how they live their lives, their emotional ties to their space, and what they dream about from their homes. Style is one of the last things we discuss.

You can apply this same philosophy when you’re working on your own space. Think first about how you use the space and how you want it to work for you. 

The most important thing to me is function – how the design works for and with the client and making it possible  to change with them in the future. The style doesn’t matter as much; it’s about the concept for that person or family and their needs.

[Read more from Ariel’s interview with Artsper]

Follow Your Habits

Too often, people try to organize their space how they believe it should be organized, rather than around their own needs and habits. When you start from your own habits, you can design to support them, which makes the organization sustainable in the long term. For example, when people come to visit me, they think I’m super organized. But I’m not! I just made sure to have lots of easy-to-access places to dump all my stuff when I walk in the door. 

Do you tend to drop your clothes in a corner? Put a hamper there. Hate loading the dishwasher? Get one with drawers to make loading easier and faster. Is there a spot where you tend to “dump” all your stuff? Put a catchall basket or shelf there. 

Example 01: Entryway

Function before the style: what do you need to keep in your entryway – keys, shoes, mail? If your entryway doesn’t need storage, then you can focus on simple aesthetics. 

Example 02: Above the Toilet

We always need more storage in the bathroom! These hacks will help you whether you have just a few items or need lots of storage right above the toilet. 

Example 03: Hide It!

Most of us have more stuff than we’d like to admit. You don’t have to get rid of all of it! Just find a convenient place to store it where it can’t be seen most of the time, like credenzas, small drawers or cabinets. 

Ariel’s Organizing Picks

Here are my favorite picks for this spring to clear the clutter, get organized, and just relax at home. 

Affiliate Disclosure

I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post contains affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read our full affiliate disclosure and privacy policy.