Create drop zones!

It might take a little iterating to see what works for you and your habits, but for me and my husband:

• a spot for hanging our grocery bags and hats and jackets when we walk into the house, and a bench to pile our shoes into and holding ground for bigger recycling or stuff that needs to make it out to the garage

• our own individual trays (similar to mine, similar to his) for “pocket items” like keys, wallet, a bracelet, etc in our bedroom

• a drawer in his office that’s connected to a bunch of different charger types aka “the charging station”

• a pretty enamel pail under the kitchen sink as a hamper for throwing all our pretty fabric napkins

• a tray on our buffet/console table in our dining room for “ins and outs” like library books and DVDs, stuff I borrowed from friends and need to return

• a butler valet for me for the “it’s not quite dirty yet” clothes that I will wear again before washing

We still have to tidy now and again but for the most part, the disorder stays contained bc the crap that tends to cause the most issues has a designated place to go, near where it usually becomes a problem.

Links above are to ours or items similar to ours. I suggest thrifting or eBay to find unique objects that bring you joy!

Rec link to an Apartment Therapy article on an awkward-space drop zone DIY.