When it comes to minimizing and organizing your home, things can easily get overwhelming. Many clients I work with feel like they’re facing an enormous task, especially when there are multiple areas in the home that need attention. That’s where the concept of zones comes in. It’s a simple but effective way to break a large project into smaller, more manageable pieces.
What Are Zones?
Zones are a way to divide your home into areas based on their primary purpose or function. By focusing on one zone at a time, you can start organizing your space in a way that makes sense for how you live. Let’s walk through how this works, starting with one of the most important spaces in your home: the kitchen.
The Kitchen Zone
The main function of your kitchen is pretty clear: food prep and meal enjoyment. So when organizing this zone, you’ll want to think about what belongs here and what doesn’t. Take a look around your kitchen and ask yourself:
What happens in this area?
What’s working well here? What’s not?
What’s your vision for this space?
For example, if you have books in the kitchen, ask: Am I reading these books here? Are they related to food or cooking? If not, they don’t belong in the kitchen zone. Move them to a space where reading actually happens (maybe a living room or bedroom zone).
Within each zone, everything should have a "home." For instance, cooking utensils should go in the utensil drawer, knives in the knife drawer, and silverware in the silver drawer. This ensures everything has a designated spot and makes it easy to maintain an organized space.
The Den/Living Room Zone
Next, let’s talk about the living room or den. The main function here is typically relaxation and entertainment. So, again, ask:
What’s the purpose of this room?
What do I want to focus on in this space?
What would make this a place where I can truly relax?
If you notice items in the room that don’t belong (maybe stacks of paper or random items), move them to their designated zones. Keep the space free of stressors—only include things that enhance your relaxation.
Now, consider how to designate “homes” within the zone. You might have a spot for entertainment (CDs, DVDs, electronics), a reading nook (books, glasses, and comfy seating), and a place for blankets and pillows. If games or puzzles are part of your relaxation time, they can have a home in this space too—or perhaps in a different zone/dedicated game area where they are used most often.
The Bedroom Zone
Your bedroom is another zone that tends to have a clear purpose: sleep and clothing. If you also have a reading corner or a cozy chair, that’s a great addition, but the focus here should still be on rest. Only items that support the functions of this zone should remain here—clothes, bedding, sleep-related items, and whatever makes you feel at ease. A clutter-free bedroom contributes to better sleep and overall well-being.
The Office Zone
If you don’t have a separate home office, you can create an Office Zone within another space. For example, you could use a corner of the living room or even your bedroom for this purpose. Within the Office Zone, designate spots for your essentials—pens, paper, laptop, paper clips, and any other work-related items. This keeps your workspace organized without taking over the rest of your home.
Household Overflow Zone
Here’s a tip I stress with my clients: Only items you use, need, or love on a weekly or monthly basis should be kept in the main living spaces. For things like bulk purchases (toilet paper, food, toothpaste), create a Household Overflow Zone. This is where you store extra supplies that you don’t use every day. It could be in a closet, under the stairs, or even in the garage—just make sure it’s easily accessible and well organized.
Wrapping Up
The key to a well-organized home is to give everything a home in the right zone. By breaking your home into manageable sections and focusing on one zone at a time, you can reduce clutter and create a space that works better for you. In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into each zone and explore how to minimize and organize more effectively.
Until then, take care and start thinking about your first zone—maybe it’s the kitchen, maybe it’s the living room. Wherever you begin, the important thing is to take it one step at a time. And as always, reach out if you get stuck or need support!
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To connect with our collective: http://edge-walking.com / 206.825.9780 / edgewalking.transitions@gmail.com
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