Organise your life

Organise your life – Calm systems for busy homes and desks

Clear routines start with simple zones: write, store and charge at the desk; serve, prep and tidy in the kitchen; entry, keys and post by the door. Use trays, stackable boxes, drawer dividers, utensil pots, cable clips, label stickers, notebooks and weekly planners. Each piece earns its place by removing a daily search.

Map the desk first. Notebook and planner in the centre, a pot for daily pens, a tray for clips and cards, and a phone stand with a cable clip at the edge. Papers stand upright in a slim file so the keyboard area stays clear. End with a one-minute reset that writes tomorrow’s first task.

In the hallway, add a key tray, a small box for passes and a narrow basket for post. The kitchen benefits from jars for staples and a caddy for brushes and cloths. Repeating one material—glass, wood or metal—links rooms without a full refresh.

Label lightly and group spares together. When everything has a predictable home, mornings shorten and evenings feel more relaxed.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I begin if I have little time?

Choose three anchors: a key tray by the door, a desk tray for small items and a kitchen caddy. These remove the most common searches. Once they settle, add labels to boxes and a weekly planner. Small wins create momentum without a full weekend clear-out.

How do I keep cables under control?

Attach clips near the desk edge and use one short lead for daily charging, with a longer spare coiled in a pouch. Label ends if devices share ports. Returning leads to clips becomes automatic, protects the calm look of the space and prevents snags during calls or quick filming.

What is a reliable end-of-day routine?

Write the top task for tomorrow, stack papers upright, return pens to the pot, and clear the phone stand. This one-minute sweep turns the desk into a ready-to-start station. Mornings begin with direction, and small wins arrive sooner because tools sit exactly where you expect them.

How can I keep surfaces from filling up again?

Follow the three-object rule per surface and store spares in labelled boxes. Use trays to gather displays so they move for cleaning. When each item has a job—write, store or charge—the room stays composed and easy to reset after meals, study or visitors.