7 Home Organizing Hacks from a Professional Organizer
If you've ever scrolled through social media looking at perfectly organized pantries and thought "how do they do it?", you're not alone. The truth is, achieving a more organized home doesn't require a complete overhaul, a prime subscription to endless storage bins, or the organizational systems of a professional. Sometimes the best hacks are simple solutions that make the biggest impact.
At Hannah Goetz Organizing, we've spent years helping clients transform their storage spaces from chaotic to calm. These genius home organization hacks aren't about buying pretty organizers or creating social media appeal - they're about practical, sustainable solutions that actually work in real homes. Whether you're dealing with small homes, limited closet space, or just too much stuff everywhere, these organizing hacks will help you create a more organized-looking home without breaking your bank accounts.
Let's dive into the best organizational tips that professional organizers actually use (and recommend) to transform storage spaces throughout your home.
Hack #1: Put Lazy Susans Everywhere (Seriously, Everywhere)
Lazy susans aren't just for your dreams of a pantry makeover - they're one of the most versatile organizing tools you can use throughout your entire home. The genius of a lazy susan is simple: it brings items at the back within easy reach with just a spin, eliminating those frustrating reach spots where things get lost and forgotten.
In the Kitchen: Use lazy susans in corner cabinets to access pantry items without playing Tetris with floppy boxes of pasta and smooshed-up cereal boxes. Group oils, vinegars, and condiments on a lazy susan near your cooking space. This sure beats digging through a dimly lit cabinet trying to find that one sauce you need.
In the Pantry: Dedicate lazy susans to specific categories: one for baking supplies, another for canned goods, a third for snacks. When that fresh batch of groceries comes home, you'll have designated spots ready to go.
In the Bathroom: Transform bathroom drawers and under-sink cabinets with small lazy susans for skincare products, nail clippers, and daily essentials. Everything stays visible and accessible instead of getting shoved to the back.
In the Craft Room: Group craft supplies and school supplies on lazy susans - one spin gives you easy access to everything you need for your current project.
This is one of those organizational hacks that seems almost too simple, but the amount of time it saves and frustration it eliminates makes it absolutely essential for a more organized home.
Hack #2: Decant & Label Everything (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
Walking into the kitchens of today's organization mavens, you'll notice one thing immediately: everything is in airtight storage containers. This isn't just for aesthetic appeal - though it certainly creates a more organized-looking pantry. Decanting your pantry items into clear, labeled containers is a game-changer for several reasons.
Why It Works: First, you can actually see what you have and how much is left. No more buying duplicates because you couldn't remember if you had flour. Second, airtight storage containers keep food fresh longer - way better than those half-open boxes and bags. Third, uniform containers stack better and use storage spaces more efficiently than the chaotic mix of packaging sizes.
Where to Apply This:
Pantry: Transfer flour, sugar, rice, pasta, cereals into little acrylic storage containers
Bathroom: Decant cotton balls, q-tips, and other supplies into small clear containers
Bathroom Drawers: Speaking of bathroom organization, at Hannah Goetz Organizing, we create custom acrylic drawer inserts that fit your drawers perfectly - no wasted space, no items shifting around. These crystal-clear, sustainable organizers give your drawers that serene, coordinated feel where every skincare product, makeup item, and small essential has its exact place
Laundry Room: Store detergent pods and dryer sheets in labeled bins
Garage: Hardware supplies like nails and screws stay organized in clear labeled containers
Labels are the key component that makes this system sustainable. When everything has a designated, labeled home, everyone in the household knows exactly where things go. This eliminates the daily pieces of the puzzle of "where does this belong?" that creates countertop mess.
Hack #3: Use What You Have Before You Buy New Organizers
Here's a secret that organization mavens don't always share: you probably already own dozens of perfectly good storage solutions. And honestly? Sometimes you're just not in the place financially to spend money on organizing products - and that's completely okay! Temporary solutions using what you already have can work beautifully while you save up, figure out what you really need, or simply get started right now instead of waiting.
Repurposing Gold:
Old margarine containers and food storage containers: Perfect for organizing bathroom drawers (rubber bands, hair ties) or the junk drawer
Shoe boxes: Ideal for small items in closets, craft supplies, or under-bed storage
Mason jars: Beautiful for bathroom organization or craft room supplies
Rubber bands: Bundle cords, secure plastic bags, keep board games together
Small boxes from deliveries: Cut down to size for drawer dividers
This no-fuss approach to organizing gives you permission to start right now with what's already in your home. There's no shame in temporary solutions - they're often the first step toward figuring out what organizational systems will actually work for your space. You might eventually upgrade to matching containers for visual cohesion, but starting with what you have means you're making progress instead of waiting for the "perfect" solution or until finances allow for a shopping trip.
Hack #4: Download The Conscious Closet Kit (Your Free Wardrobe Solution)
One of the biggest sources of household stress? Closet space that's packed with clothes but somehow you still wear the same few things on repeat. Sound familiar?
We partnered with Peahen Studio to create The Conscious Closet Kit - a completely free, comprehensive guide that helps you organize your closet and wardrobe without buying more storage solutions or new clothes. This isn't about adding more hangers or getting a fancy hanger organizer system. It's about transforming your relationship with what you already own.
What You'll Get: The guide walks you through a proven process that starts with defining your personal style (so you know what to keep), provides detailed declutter worksheets (so you can make clear decisions), and teaches you sustainable solutions for maintaining your organized closet long-term - including that crucial "one in, one out" rule that keeps clutter from creeping back in.
Why This Matters: Your closet is one of the storage spaces you interact with every single day. When it's chaotic, it creates a mental load before you've even started your day. When it's organized and filled only with pieces you actually love and wear, getting dressed becomes effortless.
This free resource delivers real results by addressing both the physical clutter and the decision fatigue that comes with a disorganized wardrobe.
Hack #5: Go Vertical (Maximize Every Inch of Wall Space)
When you're working with small spaces or small homes, horizontal storage space is limited. The simple solution? Look up. Vertical storage is one of the most underutilized organizing hacks, and it can transform how much you can store in any room.
Floating Shelves: Install floating shelves in kitchens for frequently used items, in bathrooms for toiletries and decor, or in the living room for books and home decor. They provide storage without taking up floor space and create visual interest on blank walls.
Over-the-Door Storage: The back of every door is prime real estate. Use over-the-door organizers for shoes in closets, cleaning supplies in utility rooms, or pantry items in the kitchen. Over-the-door hooks work perfectly in bathrooms for towels and robes.
Wall-Mounted Solutions:
Kitchens: Add hooks under cabinets for mugs, install pegboards for utensils
Bathrooms: Tall, skinny rolling shelves fit in tight nooks beside toilets - perfect for extra toiletries
Closets: Add second rods for pants, install shelves that go all the way to the ceiling
Garage: Wall-mounted pegboards and overhead storage racks near exposed wall studs
The Step Stool Strategy: For those lofty storage areas and reach spots, keep a small step stool nearby. Don't let needing a step stool prevent you from using vertical space - those top shelves are a good place for items you don't need daily but still want within easy access.
Vertical storage gives you that loftier headspace both literally and mentally. When items are off counters and floors, spaces feel bigger and calmer.
Hack #6: Invest in Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-functional furniture is a genius home organization hack that's especially crucial for small homes where every piece needs to earn its place.
Storage Ottomans: Hide throw blankets, board games, or kids' toys in the living room. In bedrooms, they store extra linens or out-of-season clothes while providing seating.
Coffee Tables with Hidden Storage: Look for lift-tops, drawers, or lower shelves. Some even come with built-in pet beds underneath - perfect for dog owners who want their furry friend nearby without visual clutter.
Entryway Tables with Shoe Storage: A console table with cubbies or baskets underneath solves shoes piling up by the door. Add hooks above for coats and you've created a complete drop zone.
Kitchen Nook Benches with Storage: Benches with lift-top seats provide storage for table linens, serving pieces, or small appliances.
Skinny Rolling Carts: These slide into impossibly tight spaces - between the washer and dryer, beside the fridge, in narrow bathroom gaps. Use them for spices in the kitchen or beauty supplies in the bathroom.
Mirrors with Hidden Storage: Full-length mirrors that open to reveal shelving are perfect for small bedrooms. Store jewelry and accessories behind a reflective surface that makes your space feel bigger.
When each piece provides storage in addition to its primary function, you eliminate the need for as many dedicated storage bins, keeping your home feeling less cluttered and more intentional.
Hack #7: Hire a Professional Organizer (The Ultimate Hack)
Sometimes the best hack is admitting you need help - and that's not a failure, it's smart. While these organizing hacks can make a real difference, there's something transformative about working with a professional organizer who can see your space with fresh eyes and create customized organizational systems that work for your specific lifestyle.
Why Professional Organizing Works: A professional organizer brings expertise from organizing hundreds of storage spaces. We know which organizational hacks work in real life (not just for social media appeal) and which are just pretty but impractical. We provide accountability and momentum, helping you actually finish instead of abandoning the project halfway through. With transparent costs upfront and custom services, HGO may be just what you need!
Hannah Goetz Organizing Services:
For clients in Texas, we offer in-person organizing services that provide hands-on help transforming your entire home or specific areas. We don't just organize - we combine organizational systems with thoughtful design, creating spaces that are both functional and beautiful.
For those outside Texas, our virtual organizing services bring the same expertise to wherever you live. Through video sessions and personalized guidance, we help you tackle everything from that overwhelming junk drawer to complete room makeovers.
When to Consider Hiring Help:
You've tried organizing on your own but can't maintain it
You're overwhelmed and don't know where to start
You've experienced a major life change
You want systems that will actually last
This investment often saves you money in the long run - you stop buying duplicates of things you can't find and reclaim hours of time spent searching for things or feeling stressed by your environment.
Start Small, Build Momentum
These organizing hacks aren't meant to be implemented all at once. Pick one that resonates most with your current challenges - maybe it's the lazy susan hack for your chaotic pantry, or maybe it's finally downloading The Conscious Closet Kit to tackle that overwhelming closet.
Start with one hack this week. Notice how it changes how you interact with that space. Let that success build your confidence. Before you know it, you'll have organizational systems throughout your home that make daily life genuinely easier.
Remember: a more organized home isn't about perfection. It's about creating sustainable solutions that reduce stress, save time, and help you find what you need when you need it.
Ready to transform your entire home? Whether you need in-person help in Texas or virtual guidance wherever you live, Hannah Goetz Organizing is here to help. Learn more about our services.