How do you organize things in your house?

[Anonymous]

We live in a small apartment. When you read articles about organizing things in your house, every single one of them says, “throw stuff away.”

That's fine, but I'm asking about organizing things you can't or don't want to throw away, because you need them or use them. Throwing them away would just mean having to go out and buy them again when you need them.

For example, we have these walkie-talkies we use in our house about once a week. The walkie-talkie and the charger and the cord take up space, and there are 2 of them of course, and they're not easily stored because of their bulky shape. And of course throwing them away would not be a solution. So where do we put them when we're not using them?

Another example, someone gave me a very nice gift, and antique typewriter in beautiful condition, worth a few hundred dollars at least. But it takes up half of a shelf which I need. What do you do with something like this?

These are 2 random examples, but we have several things like this, and no good idea of how to organize them so things are neat and tidy.

What is a good general organizing strategy that doesn't involve throwing things away? I throw things away all the time that can be thrown away, I just want to know about organizing the things we want to keep.

(not a real picture, but I don't want things to get like this)

[Nuclear_Warhead]

I vibecoded an offline app that works basically like a google maps for all my shelves and can import/export arrangements. ㅤ

[slatyb]

I don't. My wife does. She's very good at it. It takes time and gradual improvement. She now has everything in the kitchen well-placed. Cooking utensils are all laying flat in a drawer, arranged by function -- ladles, measuring cups and spoons, scrapers, spatulas, tongs, etc. Food is stored by frequency of use -- things commonly used are handy, things used less often are a bit higher or deeper in the pantry.

[sage2021]

I buy 18 gallon storage containers (or totes) and put things of the similar kind in a storage container. Like kitchen stuff together in one, bathroom stuff in one. You could have a miscellaneous on for the things that you mentioned.

I have several of them and I stack them in 2's.

They have pastel colors at Walmart. That's where I buy mine from. The other colors are an eye sore to look at.

[ElenaLena]

I’m a bit of a neat freak! 😄.. and I think it’s all about having a place for everything…I use storage boxes, baskets, and cabinets to keep things organized… not everything needs to be thrown away.. it’s about being organized, staying on top of things, and making it a daily habit…

[Nikki1989]

Our house is packed full of stuff, but it still looks pristine. Everything has its place. It is not particularly difficult.

[Asker]

That doesn't answer my question of how to do it.

[lilBigPotato]

Just having a room in a shared apartment and that follows some perfectly organized chaos.

[Anonymous]

Storage locker is a good idea if you have too many things

[Insekirorue]

Im very organized! I don't think I have a system though.