10 ways I organize my home for maximum ease

From a simple entryway solution to a kitchen storage trick.

Hello!

I can’t believe it’s almost May. I’m still in decluttering mode. I think that impulse to organize started from being a lifelong collector. When I was little, I gathered leaves, shells, bugs, rocks, and teacups, to name a few. I had a bookshelf that I would rearrange to fit the growing groupings, so each shelf had a category. For my thesis work in grad school I actually made a cabinet honoring these childhood collections, which I now use as a jewelry box.

A window sill is ideal for curating curios.

Each time I encounter a fellow seasoned collector, I clock their methods and keep them filed away in my mind. When I was in my early 20s, I got to visit Julia’s Child’s home in Cambridge after her passing. (We share an alma mater, Smith College, and the alumni club invited several of us for an afternoon gathering.) The kitchen had been donated to the Smithsonian and was in the process of being carefully moved. While all of Julia’s pots and pans were gone, the famous peg boards with outlines of all her cooking tools still remained. We even noticed this same system in her bathroom medicine cabinet. I love the order and intention behind marking a place for everything. Each tool has an importance, nothing is extraneous.

Organizing doesn't always have to mean tucking things away in perfect containers. It can often mean displaying objects proudly and thoughtfully. The essential in the equation: a solid plan that works for you. Here are a few spots in my home where it’s all come together through trial and error.

Right this way!

Kids’ Stuff

Loose toys get put in soft bins; boxed games and puzzles disappear behind our credenza’s kid-friendly sliding door.

Living with kids can be challenging in the organization department. Where do you put all the STUFF? But I believe families can and should integrate kids’ things into shared spaces rather than delegating everything to a playroom. (That “rule” flew out the window during the peak of Covid lockdown, when we put an entire play structure in our basement, but I digress.) Since my son was small, his toys have been in easy reach in our home—and easy to stow out of sight. In the living room, soft felt bins tucked under the bottom of the bookshelves keep Magna-Tiles and train pieces tidy. (Tip: Felt is soft on little fingers but sturdy enough not to flop over when half emptied; unlike cheaper thin fabrics, the material also acts as a noise buffer when stuff gets tossed back inside.) Wood boxes or crates are great for hardier oversized items—bonus points if they’re on wheels. In our dining room, we have a slim, wall-mounted rack for corralling pens and paper for impromptu art projects. Our mid-century modern credenza holds boxed puzzles and games and is close to the table where we do more puzzling than dinner parties at this stage in life. Overall, integrating supplies and toys right where they will be used helps streamline access and clean-up. I opt for containers that conceal contents vs. making everything visible so the space doesn’t feel overrun with stuff. Choose your own adventure!

Charging Zone

Every nook in your home has the promise to become a tiny chaos containment station.

In an attempt to divert the daily kitchen counter pile-up of mail, lunch bags, ear buds, phones, homework, etc., I turned a tiny overlooked corner of our hallway into a landing/drop-off zone. I find the more a space is styled with intention and functionality in mind, the higher your success will be in actually sticking to a new system. I found a charming scallop-edged shelf at an antique store; added a sconce to brighten up the dark nook (I love the design, especially the socket switch that’s easy to flip on); hung some hooks (more on those below); and set up a USB port where we can charge all our devices. The hanging cords don’t bother me much because this part of the hallway is tucked away, so I never see it from another room—perfection is the enemy of progress, friends! It’s accessible to everyone and acts as the “junk drawer” but never gets too crazy because it’s still out in the open, forcing us to tidy every once in a while.

Kitchen

My kitchen looking ultra-streamlined for a photo shoot. But my hanging baskets, magnetic rack, and trusty containers do a lot of real-life work.

The kitchen is perhaps the most important spot to stay organized. But with so many things to store and use on a daily basis, it can get out of control without a system. I’m in charge of making lunch for myself and my son each morning, and I’ve now got it down to a well-choreographed dance. A few things that help are, of course, where everything is placed, but it’s also the tools I use to hang, package, and corral. My main trick: Decanting stuff into containers that better fit our drawers and cabinets to maximize storage. Pantry goods like grains and flour stay fresh longer in containers with a tight seal; daily staples like cereal and coffee go in lidded designs for easy access. Another kitchen MVP: Our magnetic knife rack takes up zero counter space, puts trusty tools at the ready, and keeps blades dry, clean, and sharp by not having them clanging around in cutlery drawers. Utility at its finest!

Let’s Hang

A secret about me is that I’m obsessed with hooks. I use them everywhere in my house and I get irrationally annoyed when hotels or Air BnBs don’t have enough. Sometimes you don’t want to unpack into drawers or live in your suitcase. The Ace Hotel in Pittsburgh (now closed) had all the hooks a girl could dream of: The rooms—which loosely served as inspo for my own entryway—were surrounded by Shaker peg rails. What a dream.

At the old Ace Hotel in Pittsburgh, peg rails propped up everything from a pocket organizer to a mirror. (Photo by Rob Larson / @roblarsonphoto)

The Shakers, of course, knew a thing or two about hooks. The peg rail embodies their honest and simple design approach—and served to organize their communal living spaces. These practical hooks promoted cleanliness, order, and efficiency, and the Shakers hung everything from brooms to chairs to candle holders. (If you find yourself in western Massachusetts, I highly recommend a visit to the Shaker village in Hancock to experience the spaces in person.)

Here’s a little tour of all the ways I use the humble hook in my own home. Maybe you’ll discover a new design or use!

My entryway is basically one big ode to hooks.

Welcome inside: Pick one of 27 hooks to hang your stuff. The double height offers is accessible to both adults and kids, and the two rows help streamline objects of varying sizes and shapes (eg: bulkier bags and clothing at the bottom; slimmer items like umbrellas, headphones, and grocery totes at the top). I say go as big as you can by the front door. Lining a whole wall adds architectural interest and loads of function. Make it a focal point! I even have another little hook rail on the other side of the door to hold keys and my everyday tote and purse. (Note: Mine is vintage IKEA from the super rad PS 2014 rail system, but this design is a nice alternative.)

Utilitarian object doubling as decor? Yes please.

Just like toys, I keep hooks right where I need them. By the back door, a hook is tucked away especially for hanging our straw gardening hats. It also looks more intentional than filling the front entryway with every single thing.

My bedroom and guest room let items hang loose. Because let’s face it: some days you just don’t feel like folding.

In my bedroom, there’s a spot next to my dresser where I hang my favorite jeans and jewelry—obvious pairing. My necklaces go on inexpensive brass hardware hooks so they stay untangled and in view for when I want to add the perfect bling to an outfit. Then, I have two larger hooks for my jeans to keep fresh. In our spare room, no guest will experience a hook shortage! This Swedish-style rail is great for hanging robes, towels, clothes… Plus, an open clothes hanger for more options.

Mark My Words

Suddenly, everything in my home needs an old-school label.

The label maker I recently got at Cooper Hewitt (now sold out, but also avail here) is analog, colorful, and simply perfect. The first thing I used it for was the shampoo and conditioner bottles in our guest bath. (Oh, those containers are perfect, too!)

So, how do you organize?

And on that note, Schoolhouse is casting for a new short-form video series and looking for inspiring personalities. Whether you're a lighting expert, interior designer, or just the go-to friend for paint recs and shelf styling tips—we want to hear from you! No need to be a pro content creator, just bring a strong point of view and a sample video, if you’ve got one. You can learn more here.

Katie xx