Take a look around your home. How is it set up? Was it organized with your unique routines in mind or is it more conventionally arranged? Think about where you place your belongings. Is there a pattern of traditionality in every room? For example, are pots, pans, and dishes strictly confined to the kitchen? Are toiletries, hair tools, and makeup only allowed in the bathroom? Are coats strictly relegated to the coat closet?

Sometimes our homes reflect what we think they should look like, not how we actually live. We curate for aesthetics, store items where they traditionally belong, and fight our routines in order to stay “organized.” But true organization isn’t just tidying up, it’s intuitive. It should make your day smoother, not harder.

Here’s the exciting truth: your home doesn’t have to follow anyone’s rules but your own. You can toss the design norms and create a setup that supports your lifestyle and ignore the textbook layout of how a home “should” look. And in doing so, you’ll uncover smarter, easier organization habits that save time, reduce stress, and make your home truly yours.

• If you always do your hair in the kitchen while whipping up breakfast, give your styling tools a designated drawer right there.
• If your shoes always end up scattered across the house, add a shoe organizer near the door you use the most.
• Hate sorting laundry? Get a multi-compartment hamper (two, three, or even four sections!) and toss each item into the correct bin as you undress. Keep it near wherever you usually change clothes even if that’s by the entryway.
• Keep missing bill deadlines? If you still receive paper statements, clip them on the wall next to your launch pad (your home’s drop zone). Mark due dates in bright red on the envelopes so you spot them as you toss down your purse or keys.

How to Organize for You

Ready to shake things up? Follow these three simple steps to transform how your home works for your routine:

1. Observe Yourself

Spend a few minutes (or a whole week) paying attention to your habits. What do you naturally do in each room? What items do you constantly leave the room to grab?

2. Track Movement

Write down which objects cause you to pace back and forth. Are your charging cords always across the room from where you work? Do you grab your vitamins from the kitchen cabinet even though you always take them in bed?

3. Redesign with Purpose

Now redesign your space around you. That might mean clearing entire drawers, cabinets, or closets to house the stuff you actually use in that location.

Two fun examples:

• Need filtered water for brushing your teeth but it’s always downstairs? Consider installing a mini fridge in your bathroom.
• Spices tucked away in the pantry? Move them to a drawer or cabinet near the stove for quick access.

Your Home, Your Workflow

Think of your home as more than a container for stuff. It’s the backdrop to your daily rhythms. If your morning starts on the couch with coffee and journaling, store your notebooks and pens in a nearby basket or drawer. If your evenings revolve around unwinding in bed with skincare and snacks, then don’t fight the already form system. Set up a mini station right by your nightstand. You’re not breaking rules; you’re building rituals that support your real life. Every tweak is a vote for ease and self-awareness.

If a formal dining table gathers dust while you eat at the kitchen island or in front of the TV, maybe it’s time to repurpose that space. Turn it into a puzzle corner, a plant haven, or even a second workstation. The key isn’t how others think it should be used. It’s how you want to use it. Homes aren’t showrooms. They’re lived-in, evolving spaces that should reflect your passions, preferences, and pace. Embrace the freedom to make it truly yours.

A Real-Life Transformation

I recently helped a client reimagine her apartment and we started with her coat closet. It was crammed full of yoga mats, Christmas decorations, a heater, fan, and a chi machine. She used most of these items only once a year, so we boxed them up and moved them to outdoor storage. Then, we turned the closet into an arts and crafts hub.

Before the makeover, her art supplies were scattered throughout the apartment. Afterward? Everything had a dedicated home near her work desk. No more wasted time searching, and she actually started crafting more because her space now encourages it.

Remember: organizing for you doesn’t mean cluttering up your spaces with mismatched items. It means intentionality. If something adds efficiency, joy, or clarity to your day, even if it’s “out of place”, it belongs where you need it most. You’re designing for functionality, not perfection.

And the best part? This kind of organization evolves. As your habits and needs shift, your home should shift too. Revisit your systems every few months. You might discover that your new skincare routine deserves a drawer by your bedside. Or that the dog leash is more useful by the bathroom door, not the front one. Let your home be a living reflection of you.

So, what about you? What corners of your home have you reimagined to better suit your life? Share your unconventional setups below and let’s celebrate breaking the norms. Your comment might just spark someone else’s inspiration.