Want a Tidy Home? Expert Advice on Creating a Clean, Organized and Easy-to-Maintain Living Space
Many people believe that a tidy home can be achieved through storage boxes, decorative baskets, shelving systems or the latest organizing gadgets. But according to home organization consultant Alina Zavtoni, true order begins long before we start rearranging drawers or adding containers. The real secret, spune ea, is not organizing clutter — it is reducing it.
Too Many Items: The Hidden Cause of Household Chaos
According to Zavtoni, most households struggle with clutter for a simple reason: they contain far more items than their occupants actually need. Whether it’s clothing saved “for later”, broken gadgets waiting to be repaired someday, souvenirs gathering dust or duplicate kitchen items, excess objects lie at the heart of most organizational problems.
“We keep things because we believe they will be useful someday. But in reality, that ‘someday’ rarely comes,” she explains. “Meanwhile, those items take up valuable space, collect dust, and force us to spend time moving them from one place to another. The fewer things you own, the easier it is to maintain order permanently.”
The Three-Box Method: A Simple Strategy That Works
To reduce clutter in a structured, stress-free way, the expert recommends a straightforward method: three boxes, each with a clear purpose:
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Broken items that should be discarded.
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Unused items that haven’t been touched in months.
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Uncertain items — things we hesitate to let go of.
She suggests placing all “unsure” items into a box and revisiting it only after 3–4 months. If during this time you did not need or think about anything inside, the message is clear: those items can be donated, recycled, or thrown away.
“This method eliminates emotional decision-making. You let time tell you what you truly need,” Zavtoni adds.
Why the Kitchen Should Be the First Room You Reorganize
The kitchen, she says, is the most efficient starting point because it is typically the room that accumulates disorder the fastest. Constant use, varied objects and bulky packaging all contribute to daily clutter.
Zavtoni recommends dividing the kitchen into functional zones:
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spices and small ingredients,
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grains and dry foods,
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cooking area,
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washing area,
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a designated drawer for “miscellaneous” items — but only one.
Using transparent containers is another key strategy. They save time, reduce packaging waste and allow an instant visual inventory of supplies.
“When everything has its own place, your family naturally maintains the system. Order becomes effortless,” she notes.
Yes, Children Can Learn to Keep Order Too
Contrary to popular belief, Alina Zavtoni says that order is possible even in children’s rooms. The key is to keep the system simple and intuitive.
She recommends dividing the room into:
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a play area,
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a sleeping area,
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a study area.
Each child is given three toy boxes — no more, no less. According to Zavtoni, children quickly understand the rule of returning toys to their designated places, as long as the system is clearly explained and consistent.
“Kids don’t need endless shelves of toys. They need clarity. When every object has a home, they follow the system naturally,” she explains.
Order Is a Lifestyle, Not a Decorating Trend
The expert emphasizes that lasting order has nothing to do with perfect aesthetics or Instagram-style minimalism. Rather, it is rooted in simplicity, consistency and realistic habits.
“People complicate organization and wonder why it doesn’t last. But sustainable order means simple routines, fewer things, and spaces that serve you — not overwhelm you,” she concludes.
According to Zavtoni, a tidy home is not a matter of discipline alone, but of mindset: choosing to live with intention, valuing space over clutter and creating an environment that supports family life rather than adding stress to it.
