If, like many of us, you’re suddenly working from home rather than at the office, you’ll have more time to look around and notice just how much stuff you have. The average South African home contains tens of thousands of things – filling cupboards, spilling out of drawers and keeping your car outside in the hail because the garage is full. 

Decluttering is a huge trend, but what about the stuff you want to keep? The things that you use or love and really don’t want to get rid of. Often, it’s simply a question of being more organised – and there are some really neat ideas for making your life tidier. 

In a more organised space, you’ll be able to work with fewer distractions, and you’ll have a better chance of finding what you’re looking for, rather than tipping drawers out in a fruitless search for the last bottle of hand sanitizer. 

Here are our top ideas for organising your space: 

Socks appeal 

Where do they all go? Even if you’ve tried buying multiple pairs in the same colour, you’ll still end up with a drawer full of odd socks. But help is at hand. Start by throwing out any that look like Swiss cheese, and your high school rugby socks (no, really). Then invest in a sock drawer divider (or make one, if you’re into crafting). With each pair in their own little cubicle, you’ll always be able to find the pair you want. Opening a drawer of socks all lined up like little soldiers is one of life’s simple pleasures. 

For cable guys (and girls) 

Working from home means more network cables, charging cables, internet cables… you get the picture. Thanks to mysterious forces at work in the universe, they’ll soon tangle themselves into a huge knot under your desk. Keep them apart with a cable organiser (or use bulldog clips on the edge of your desk) – no more scrabbling about trying to plug in the printer or losing your work when you pull out the wrong one. 

If the shoe fits…  

We get it – you can never have too many pairs of shoes. Sneakers, mules, pumps and heels – they all deserve wardrobe space. Keep them in their original boxes, with a Polaroid picture stuck on the outside for instant identification. Alternatively, get a clear box for each pair so you can choose the ones that go best with your outfit without pulling them all out. 

Chill out 

If there are things at the back of your fridge that you’re scared to approach, it’s time to organise what’s in there. Clear Tupperware containers let you see what’s where, while glass storage dishes can be popped in the oven or microwave for reheating leftovers. Remember that the coldest part of the fridge is the bottom shelf – this is where you should keep raw meat and fish. Dairy can go in the middle, and jars in the door. If you’re worried about things going off, write expiry dates on them in koki pen. 

Winter is coming… 

But until then, vacuum storage bags are a great way to save space,  store and protect clothes you only wear a few times each year. Fill the bag with clothes, then attach the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner to suck the air out until you can slide the pack of clothes under your bed or on top of a wardrobe.