Strategies for Organization at Home for Adolescents and Young Adults

The following strategies are tips for remaining organized and tidy at home:

Clutter:

  • Have your client go through their mail as soon as they get it. Suggest they immediately throw out any catalogs, junk mail, and ads.
    • If mail arrives for a family member, place it in a basket.
    • If they receives bills, put them in a separate bill-paying basket.
  • Suggest that when your client buys something, that he/she donate or sell out a similar item.
    • For example, if they get a new book, they could donate one of their other books to their local library or to a school library.
    • This technique eliminates the growth of clutter in your clients home, and also reduce the amount of work in the long run.

Explain to your client that clutter can build up fast. One of the best ways to reduce clutter is to cut it off at its source.

  • Suggest your client cancel their newspaper or magazine delivery.  
    • Newspapers create a lot of clutter.
    • Explain that the Internet makes it possible to get the news as it happens.
    • Your client can quickly pick and choose what they want to read, instead of being bombarded by similar articles on one page.
    • Explain that their newspaper may even have an online version they can access for free, which would save money and reduce clutter at the same time.
  • Check out the library. Instead of buying books or CDs, suggest that your client attend local library and check them out for free.
  • Recommend that your client sign up for electronic bills and statements, which will reduce the amount of mail they receive.
    • This will also increase the likelihood that their bills don’t get missed if they end up on a pile on a desk.

Keep his/her bag organized:

  • Your client could find a briefcase or purse with many compartments. A bag with compartments helps could help you find a place for everything.
  • Your client could buy a wallet in a bright color, so he/she can locate it more easily in their bag.
  • Suggest your client not change bags too often, as to not lose important items.
  • Clear zippered bags are a great way to compartmentalize items in a purse or attaché case. You could suggest your client put personal care items, such as medications, in one bag. Put pens and pencils in another.

Personal Belongings

  • Recommend your client de-clutter their closet:
    • Start with a fresh closet.
    • Recommend your client go through their closet and take out the clothes they have not worn in the past year.
    • Your client could look at every piece of clothing they have taken out of their closet. Have them ask themselves”
      • “Does the item still fit?”
      • “Does the item have sentimental value?”
      • “Will they need this item in the future?”
      • “If not, donate it or give it away.”
  • Suggest your client organize his/her clothing by type. Have them group the clothes in their closet according to the following categories:
    • Shirts
    • Jackets and blazers
    • Pants
    • Shorts
    • Dresses
    • Skirts
  • Recommend your client use their closet space more efficiently
    • Grouping items by type reduces visual clutter and makes it easier to find things.
    • Toss out his/her wire hangers and use wood or plastic hangers instead.
    • Tiered hangers and specialty hangers for belts and ties can help save space
    • Suggest your client get their shoes off the closet floor using a cubby, rack, or over-the-door organizer.
  • Use post-it notes in places where reminders are needed (e.g., “Do You Have Your Keys?” by the door, “Have you brushed your teeth?” on the bathroom mirror.)

How to Avoid Losing Things

  • Recommend your client form a “point of usage”.
    • The point of usage is the location where your client is most likely to use the item.
    • Suggest your client choose the most convenient location for an item means your client is more likely to put it back there.
  • A consequence to the point of usage is the line of sight. When storing items on shelves, suggest your client put the most frequently used items at eye level.
  • Suggest your client store similar items together increases their chances of finding things when they need them. Your client can group items using containers and dividers.
  • Suggest your client find a home for his/her things. Have them ask themselves:
    • “How often do I use this item?”
    • “Where do I use it the most?”
    • “Is there a better location for this item?”
    • “Are there similar items to store with this item?”
  • Encourage your client to gather together similar items that are used in the same location.
  • Encourage your client to hold on to their winter wear. Suggest that they buy multiple pairs of the same glove so if they lose a glove, they have a replacement handy.