Sustainable Home Organization: How to Organize Your Home Sustainably

I have been on a binge of The Home Edit for the last couple of weeks. It started when I was trying to get a few important spaces back in order before school starts (Read my Back to School posts here), but now the determination has migrated into the entire house. But my biggest beef with home organization is all the overconsumption and PLASTIC. We need to find a balance in Sustainable Home Organization.

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What is Sustainable Home Organization?

Sustainable home organization involves creating a home environment that is not only tidy and efficient but also eco-friendly and mindful of our planet’s resources. By adopting sustainable practices, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and create a healthier living space. Here are some tips to help you organize your home sustainably.

But First, My Organization Mantra

Ok so I lied, we’re not quite to the tips yet. First I need to share with you my sustainable home organization mantra. Because the literal second I start imagining a new space, it is always with new and matching beautiful baskets and bins that perfectly fit my space. So the mantra…

Use What You Have First
Thrift Second
Buy Sustainable as a Last Resort

Yes, my mantra is reminding myself that although I am looking to transform a space, I have an eco conscience and therefore need to prioritize the earth and not consumerism (as I so want to in these situations).

Anyone else with me on this one? It’s so hard to look at beautifully organized spaces on Pinterest and Instagram and not want the uniformity of all new products. But I have bins, buckets, and baskets coming out the wazoo. Yes, a lot of them are plastic. Yes, most of them are 5-10 years old and not new and shiny. And yes, some of them are mismatched or don’t fit the space *exactly* as I want them to. BUT they are all perfectly functional.

I will say it one more time for those that didn’t hear me: Use 👏 What 👏 You 👏 Have 👏 First 👏. Ok I apologize that felt very aggressive. So on we go with the Sustainable Home Organization tips!

1. Declutter Mindfully

The first step to organizing your home is to declutter. Obviously, if you don’t get rid of anything, it’s just moving things around in different areas. You will still have the same amount of stuff! To get a picture of visual cleanliness and order, you will need to declutter and get things out of your house!

But can we do this mindfully? Yes! Instead of tossing everything you no longer need into the trash, consider donating, recycling, or repurposing items. Many organizations accept gently used clothes, furniture, and household goods. For items that are no longer usable, find local recycling programs or upcycle them into something new and useful.

2. Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism and sustainable living go hand in hand. By embracing a minimalist lifestyle, you can reduce clutter and make your home easier to manage. Focus on keeping only the items that you truly need and love. This not only simplifies your life but also reduces the demand for new products, which in turn helps conserve resources and reduce waste. For more on minimalism, check out these posts:

Minimalism and Fashion: How to Embrace a Wardrobe with Less
How to Save Your Sanity & Create a Capsule Wardrobe
7 Reasons You Need a Summer Without Toys
Declutter these 10 Toys Now!

3. Plan Your Space

Effective organization starts with planning. Take the time to plan out each space in your home to maximize functionality and minimize clutter. Use storage solutions that fit your lifestyle and needs, and ensure everything has a designated place. Planning helps you avoid impulse purchases and keeps your home organized in the long run.

4. Choose Sustainable Storage Solutions

When it comes to organizing your belongings, opt for sustainable storage solutions. Remember my mantra? “Use what you have first, thrift second, buy sustainable as a last resort.” Instead of buying new plastic bins, consider using storage made from natural materials like wicker, bamboo, or recycled wood. Glass jars and metal containers are also excellent alternatives to plastic. These materials are not only eco-friendly but also add a touch of natural beauty to your home.

(Scroll down for my wish list of sustainable organizing supplies from Amazon. Shop or just use it as inspiration!)

5. Buy Secondhand

When you need to purchase items for organizing your home, consider buying secondhand. Thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces are great places to find unique and affordable storage solutions. By choosing secondhand items, you are reducing the demand for new products and preventing perfectly good items from ending up in the trash.

Bonus tip! Thrift stores usually offer a plethora of organizational options: baskets, bins, storage containers, jars, etc. BUT if you’re looking for a uniformed space, don’t purchase thrifted finds unless you can find multiples of them! Otherwise, you will regret the mismatched look.

6. DIY and Repurpose

Get creative with DIY projects to organize your home sustainably. Repurpose old furniture and household items instead of buying new ones. For instance, an old ladder can be turned into a stylish bookshelf, and glass jars can be used to store spices or small office supplies. DIY projects not only help you save money but also give a new life to items that might otherwise end up in the landfill.

I wanted a new way to store arts and crafts supplies. Our current situation was an open cube shelf explosion. My husband and I rescued a large china cabinet from our neighbor’s curb on garbage day, took off the hutch, and turned the bottom half of the cabinet into our new craft storage. A little work, but a lot less visual clutter!

Sustainable Organization Supplies (Inspo!)

Once again, use what you have first! But if you are truly in the market for new organization products, shop sustainable! Here are some Amazon favorites. I’ve organized them very lazily by where I want to use them in my home, but so many of them are interchangeable. (Click on the photo to be taken to Amazon.)

Kitchen & Pantry

Closet Storage/Bedroom/Playroom

Office/Crafts