We Asked Organizers What the Most Functional Homes Have in Common and They All Agreed

It’s not just people living in clutter and chaos who hire professional organizers. Those who stay on top of their homes invest in these services, too.

We were curious to find out if there’s some sort of secret to keeping a calm and organized home, so we decided to ask three professional organizers to compare and contrast dysfunctional vs functional homes. Here’s what homes in the latter category tend to have in common.

Everything Has a Home

Two of the organizers we talked to for this story said the exact same thing first. In functional homes, every single item has a designated place.

“When an item has a designated ‘home,’ it creates a system for the individual or whole family to follow, so everyone knows where it belongs and where to find it when needed,” says professional organizer Olivia Parks.

And these ‘homes’ are very intentional ones.

“When you stop to consider how you actually function in your space, it makes it easy to give things ‘homes’ which allow you to find things quickly and put them back when you’re done using them,” says professional organizer Lenora O’Keith.

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The Countertops and Other Surfaces are Clear

Flat and elevated surfaces become catchall spaces in many homes. But in calm and organized ones, the default setting for counters and tables is clear, not cluttered.

“We use these surfaces the most in our homes, so they change and shift within seconds,” says professional organizer Amanda Rivera. “There are dining room tables that turn into homework stations, arts and crafts spaces, command centers, and mail sorters. These surfaces get very busy, but I find that when there is quick and easy momentum to keep these areas tidy, it becomes part of a daily routine.”

Rivera recommends implementing a “close shop” routine for each well-lived-in space. Walk around your home before going to bed, and devote less than five minutes to clearing the surfaces in each room.

There’s Visual Calmness

Even if you’re not aware of it, being in spaces with too much visual noise can overstimulate your senses.

While O’Keith says functional homes still contain collections and decor, these pieces aren’t in competition with visual clutter.

“Some people confuse being organized and tidy with a minimalist aesthetic,” she says. “While it’s true that many minimalists are organized simply due to a lack of items resulting in a lack of clutter, you can still be organized and have a home full of belongings you love.”

So rather than displaying dozens of little knick-knacks, she suggests focusing on a few thoughtfully curated pieces.

There Aren’t Return Packages Lying Around

With online shopping becoming more of the norm these days, Rivera has noticed many homes becoming a constant holding place for returns. And once the return window closes, these items often end up becoming useless clutter.

“I find that my clients who have functional, calm, organized homes return their packages,” she says. “I’m proud of clients who return things because they’re being less wasteful, they get their money back, and they’re ensuring they only keep items in their home that have a place and purpose.”

Rivera believes in the power of returns so much that she offers package returning as an add-on service to her clients.

There’s Breathing Room

What you may see as simply maximizing the space in your home, professional organizers see as a problem. That’s why Parks says not to ignore the power of decluttering.

“When a home doesn’t hold more than the space can comfortably accommodate, clutter piles or corners don’t tend to build up, and your home will be easier to clean, manage, and stay organized,” she says.

They Have Organized Drop Zones

Rivera is a big proponent of utilizing your home’s entry points well. She calls these areas drop zones, and she encourages her clients to use these spaces to store shoes and outerwear, but just not too much.

“When I see one or two pairs of shoes, jackets, and coats at every entry and exit to me, that is a functional home,” she says. “Now, if there are piles of clothing and shoes at each spot, that is not calm. If there are more than three items per family member, that leans toward chaos.