When it comes to keeping a home organized, it can be hard to do that final tidy and reset of key spaces each night, especially when all you want to do is go to sleep.
If this step is neglected, however, clutter can quickly build up, making your home look messy and disorganized. Enter the 'magic basket' organizing trick, which allows you to collect clutter to deal with in the morning in a tasteful, stylish way.
I spoke spoke professional organizers for their tips to reduce mental load, and make your bedtime more relaxing whilst still keeping up with the daily tidying you would like.
What is the magic basket organizing trick?
'As a professional organizer, lifestyle blogger, and mom, I use the magic basket organizing trick regularly in my own home, and recommend it to readers,' says Amanda Schmitt, who runs the Life as Mama blog. 'It's a simple but effective method where you use designated baskets, as the 'drop zone' for items that don't have a permanent home. Instead of cluttering counters or creating piles, family members put anything out of place into the magic basket'.
This keeps clutter contained at nighttime with a quick tidy-up, and leaves everything that needs to be sorted in one place, ready to deal with in the morning or when you have time. It's a trick that professional organizers swear by to keep their rooms organized.
'I have helped numerous clients transform their living spaces into the homes of their dreams and I often recommend this trick to my clients who struggle with clutter and disorganization in their homes or offices,' says Alex Locklear, interior designer and the founder of NC Cash Home Buyers with over 15 years experience in home improvement, organization, and interior design.
Why does the magic basket organizing trick work?
This trick works effectively as it allows you a 'free pass' to deal with and put away clutter when you feel mentally ready to, not at nighttime when it's the last thing you want to do, while still keeping your home tidy.
'The magic basket organizing trick works because it helps you quickly gather items that are scattered around your space and place them all in one designated spot,' says Locklear. 'This saves time and reduces the visual clutter, making your space feel more organized and peaceful. I would point out that it works as a physical reminder to deal with those items later, preventing them from piling up and causing further chaos. It also prevents the accumulation of clutter in various areas of your home or workspace.'
Our experts all agree that this trick is particularly helpful if you have kids, who may have distributed their once organized toys and belongings throughout your house during the day.
'I think this is really helpful because it allows you to split the task up, and lots of us might have a bit more energy in the mornings than potentially late at night, especially if you've just put the kids to bed,' says Larry Snider, VP of operations of Casago.
This spacious storage basket is perfect for throwing clutter into at the end of the day. It's made of natural seagrass woven over an iron frame, so it's strong enough to hold a heavy load, and the handles mean it can be carried around the home with ease when putting items away in the morning.
This basket is sturdy, durable and lightweight, with a stylish woven jute design. It is perfect for organizing a home, and can be used in the kitchen, dining room, bedroom, cabinets or closets. Made of a polypropylene construction, it can simply be wipe cleaned when needed.
This canvas fabric storage basket is stylish and practical, with polyurethane handles and a lightweight, rectangular shape. It can easily be carried around the home, and the durable fabric makes it great for storing sweaters, linens, and towels or for using for the magic basket organizing trick.
How often should you use the magic basket organizing trick?
As such an easy step to incorporate into your routine, it is best to use your magic basket every evening. 'Just do it every single night,' says Snider. 'It does start to lose its effectiveness when there's so much mess built up you don't know where to start.'
Then, set a regular time to go through and empty it, which could be every morning or a few times a week, depending on how many people you live with, and how quickly your basket gets filled.
'I always follow my rule of "same time, same place" to maintain consistency,' says Locklear. 'I recommend setting a specific time each day or week to go through the items in your magic basket and put them back in their proper place. This will prevent the basket from becoming another cluttered spot and ensure your space stays organized.'
Schmitt echoes this, 'The trick is to actually go through the basket regularly. I find if I empty it two to three times a week, it never gets overwhelming. You can then put things back in their place, do a quick tidy, or reorganize as needed.'
Top tips for the efficacy of the magic basket organizing technique
While the magic basket organizing technique is so simple, there are steps you can take to maximize it's efficacy. For example, Harpreet Saini, CEO of We Buy Houses in Metro Detroit, suggests using an open basket, 'because baskets with closed lids get used less, as they're less accessible.'
You should also consider where you place your magic basket in your home, to ensure that it gets used. 'My suggestion is to choose a basket or container that is large enough to hold various items, but also sturdy enough to withstand frequent use (such as the Goodpick Woven Storage Basket available at Amazon),' says Locklear. 'Place it in a location that is easy to access, such as by the front door (as one of the things you need in a home entryway) or in a central area of your home. This will make it convenient for you to quickly add items throughout the day and also remind you to deal with the contents of the basket at a designated time.'
Schmitt also suggests labeling your basket clearly, using pre-made labels or a label maker, such as the Dymo S0717930 Omega Home Embossing Label Maker available at Amazon, which I love and use all the time.
Label makers are one of the tools professional organizers can't do their job without, as they keep your space tidy and organized. 'Label it clearly, and make it a habit to check it often,' Schmitt says. 'Start with just one room or one type of item like toys or papers. Once it's second nature, you'll find the habit spreading to other areas of your home.'
FAQs
How do you organize with baskets?
Baskets are a great tool for home organization. You can use them to walk around your house with, gathering up miscellaneous items to donate, or use them to store throws, remote controls, cables and toys. They're also perfect for organizing and decluttering a garage.
Feeling inspired? Why not try the 'Didn't Know' decluttering method, which is a simple way to streamline your space.
