Learn how to create landing zones in your home to keep you organized!
Wondering how to create landing zones in your home? I have you covered with some simple tips. Giving items a landing zone to live in has been key in keeping our house organized.
How to Create Landing Zones in Your Home
Start in one area.
You will need to slowly add in landing zones. Decide where you are going to start. An entryway is a great place to begin. Once you get that area taken care of, you can move on.
Determine what items need a home.
In our entryway, I knew that our keys needed a home. I also wanted something to contain small items my husband has for work (ID badge, work keys, etc). In our kitchen, I knew I wanted a home for our frequently used utensils.
A good way to determine what items need a home is to figure out what is stressing you out about that area. Are your keys always lost? Do you find yourself searching for shoes all over the house? These are great starting points for creating home bases.
Take everything out and sort by type.
If you are in an area that has a lot of random items, you will need to remove everything and sort. For example, in the kitchen, you will need to put all of the utensils on the counter. Sort by spatula, spoons, etc.
Declutter what is not needed.
Recently, I realized I had 10 of the plastic medicine cups. That is not necessary so I recycled the majority. As you look at the items laid out, determine what you will remove.
Determine the landing zone for these items.
Now you get to decide what the landing zone will be! It could be a tray, a basket, a container, a jar, hooks, etc. Basically, you need something to help corral the items. An example is that we have hooks by our front door for our keys.
Make sure the landing zone location makes sense.
You want to keep things simple and easy. Put items where they are used. We have a basket by the front door for the kids to put their shoes in. The hooks for the keys are by the front door. The cooking utensils are in a container by the stove, not across the kitchen.
Teach it to your family.
This can be the challenging part, but I want to encourage you to press on and stick with it. It takes time and repetition to learn new habits. Whenever I am introducing a new landing zone, I show everyone and then remind them to help me with it. Often this means reminding my kids to put their shoes in the basket or having my husband put his keys on the hook. It takes time but it is worth it and soon everyone will just follow the rhythm.
Be willing to change things.
Give yourself about a month to adjust. If the new system is not working, consider switching it up. You want simple systems for your home that actually work not make things more stressful. If something is not working, ask yourself why. Is it the location? Is the system too complicated for your kids? Then decide how you can make it work as you change it.
Examples of Landing Zones
Keys hanging on a hook by the door.
Utensils in a container
Cookbooks in a basket
Shoes in a basket
Controllers in a basket
Ready to create landing zones in your home?
The options are endless. Take some time today to determine where your first landing one will be!
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