Luckily, there are a number of ways to cut down on clutter and keep certain items out of view. Still, it’s much easier said than done, especially in homes where organizational space comes at a premium. That’s why professionals are experts in their field after all. The challenges of hiding unmentionables (like that mountain of dirty laundry) may make you sweat, but there are plenty of expert tricks and ideas to make things work.
The Objects Worth Hiding in Your Home
Some items are more obvious than others when choosing what to keep out of sight. Your toilet paper supply and collection of undergarments are probably already hidden away in a storage closet or bedroom drawer, but other things aren’t so clear-cut. These are the objects that create excessive clutter, may cause some slight embarrassment when friends stop by, and add to a general feeling of disarray. As a good rule of thumb, there are four things professional organizer Joanna Wirick recommends keeping hidden if possible: cords and electronic cables, kitchen utensils, laundry, and prepackaged branding. There are several reasons these items stand at the top of her list. Everything from the overall color and appearance of these items, to their unwieldy shapes and space-consuming sizes, leads to an extra messy look around your home. There is a fifth category, too: appliances. But Wirick adds a disclaimer to this group. “This one is starred because it absolutely depends on the space in your kitchen,” she explains. “Hiding appliances such as a toaster, blender, coffee pot, grinder, or kettle, allows your counters to be clear and clutter-free.” Short on space in your cabinets or pantry? Don’t worry too much. Wirick notes, “If space is really limited, try hiding away a couple that are used less frequently than daily.” So if you find using your blender is a once-a-week affair or that you rarely rely on the food processor, it’s worth tucking away those items rather than your coffee machine.
How to Organize and Store These Items
Knowing what should be hidden is the first step, and finding the right methods and products for actually camouflaging them is the second. These expert-approved picks and useful items will turn a cluttered drawer or bathroom floor into the clean space you’ve been envisioning. Her fail-proof fix? “Put dirty clothes in a hamper, rehang and refold anything that’s partially clean, and put away clean laundry right away.” Choose something with a little more flair than a classic plastic basket so it feels more like decor rather than a reminder of chores that need to be done.
