6 Easy Ways to Organize Your Home in 10 Minutes

We’ve all been there: the pile of mail that’s been sitting on your counter for days, the laundry that never seems to fold itself, or the kitchen that somehow turns into a chaotic mess every evening.

Life gets busy, and keeping your home organized can feel like an impossible task, especially when you only have a few minutes to spare. But here’s the good news: You don’t need hours to get your space back on track. In fact, with just 10 minutes a day, you can make a noticeable difference in the way your home looks and feels.

The key is consistency. Small, regular bursts of tidying up can have a big impact on your overall environment. If you want a tidy home but don’t have time to spend hours cleaning, these six simple, effective ways to organize your home in 10 minutes will help you stay on top of clutter and maintain a peaceful, orderly space.

1. Tidy Up Your Surfaces

It’s easy for things to pile up on surfaces—whether it’s your kitchen counter, dining table, or coffee table. Cluttered surfaces make your home feel chaotic, even if the rest of the space is relatively clean. Taking just 10 minutes to clear off key surfaces can instantly transform the look and feel of a room.

How to do it:

• Start with high-traffic areas: Focus on the kitchen counter, dining table, or coffee table—where you tend to leave items throughout the day.
• Sort through the clutter: Quickly put away any items that don’t belong, such as dishes, papers, or random objects. If you can’t put something away immediately, create a temporary home for it (like a basket or tray).
• Wipe down surfaces: After clearing the clutter, give the surface a quick wipe with a damp cloth. A clean, clear surface can make your whole room look instantly tidier.

It may seem like a small task, but clearing your surfaces is a powerful way to create the illusion of a cleaner home. Plus, it only takes a few minutes!

2. Quick Declutter of the Entryway

The entryway is often the first thing people see when they enter your home—and it’s usually the first place that gets cluttered. Shoes, bags, keys, mail, and coats can quickly accumulate, giving a messy impression before anyone even steps inside. A tidy entryway sets the tone for the rest of your home, and organizing it only takes a few minutes.

How to do it:

• Put away shoes: Collect any shoes lying around and either place them in a closet, shoe rack, or designated storage bin. If you’re short on time, at least gather them into one area so they’re not scattered around.
• Organize bags and coats: Hang up any coats, scarves, or bags that are draped over furniture. If you don’t have hooks or a coat rack, use a stylish basket or tray to store these items temporarily.
• Sort through the mail: Take a few moments to sort through any mail, recycling unwanted papers right away. Store any important documents or bills in an inbox or drawer.

In just 10 minutes, your entryway can go from chaotic to calm. A tidy entryway also makes it easier to find things when you need them, saving you time and stress later.

3. Tidy the Bathroom in 10 Minutes

Bathrooms tend to get messy fast, especially when you’re rushing in the morning or before bed. Things like toiletries, towels, and makeup can quickly clutter up the counter, leaving you with a space that feels disorganized. Spending just 10 minutes tidying your bathroom can make a big difference.

How to do it:

• Wipe down the counters: Start by wiping the bathroom sink and counters with a cleaning wipe or a damp cloth. This will instantly freshen up the space.
• Put away toiletries: Any bottles, makeup, or other items cluttering the counter can be quickly organized and put away. If you don’t have time for a full bathroom overhaul, try putting things into a storage basket or drawer.
• Hang up towels: Make sure any towels are hung up or put in the laundry basket. A quick towel reset can make the room feel much tidier.
• Empty the trash: Take a moment to empty the bathroom trash can—something that’s easy to overlook but instantly freshens up the space.

A quick bathroom tidy can be done in 10 minutes and leaves the space feeling fresh and organized, even if it’s not a deep clean. It’s all about tidying up the essentials so you can enjoy a clutter-free room.

4. Sort and Fold Laundry for 10 Minutes

Laundry can quickly pile up, creating a sense of disorganization in your home. While washing and folding an entire load of laundry might take longer than 10 minutes, you can still make progress by folding and sorting a small amount of laundry each day. It’s amazing how just a little bit of effort can keep things from getting out of hand.

How to do it:

• Sort the laundry: If you’ve got a mountain of clothes sitting in a laundry basket, take 10 minutes to sort them into categories—such as colors, delicates, or towels. This will help you stay on top of the process and make future laundry days feel less overwhelming.
• Fold clothes: Focus on folding a small batch of laundry—enough so you don’t feel buried in piles of clothes. Start with easy-to-fold items like shirts and towels.
• Put away folded laundry: Even if you can’t fold everything in one go, putting away the clothes you’ve already folded helps create a sense of order.

By breaking up your laundry tasks into smaller chunks, you’ll keep your laundry pile under control, and you won’t have to spend hours catching up on folding and putting things away.

5. Organize a Drawer or Shelf

Sometimes, the clutter in your home isn’t immediately visible—it’s tucked away in drawers, cabinets, or shelves. These hidden spaces tend to accumulate random items over time, and if you’re not careful, they can become cluttered and hard to navigate. In just 10 minutes, you can tackle one drawer or shelf at a time to create more order in these out-of-sight spaces.

How to do it:

• Pick one drawer or shelf: Focus on one small space, such as a junk drawer, a kitchen drawer, or a shelf in your closet. Choose a space that’s manageable and won’t overwhelm you.
• Sort through the items: Take everything out and quickly assess what you actually need and what can go. Throw away expired items, donate things you no longer use, and keep only what’s necessary.
• Organize the remaining items: Once you’ve cleared out the unnecessary stuff, organize the remaining items into categories. You can use small bins, dividers, or baskets to create more structure.

10 minutes isn’t enough time to overhaul an entire closet or cabinet, but it is enough to make a noticeable difference. By consistently spending a few minutes organizing a drawer or shelf each day, you’ll avoid the overwhelm of larger organizing projects.

6. Make Your Bed

It may sound basic, but making your bed can have a huge impact on how your room looks—and how you feel. When your bed is made, your entire bedroom looks tidier, even if the rest of the room is still cluttered. It’s one of the easiest and quickest ways to create a sense of order in your home.

How to do it:

• Smooth out the sheets: Straighten the blankets, fluff the pillows, and make the bed as neat as possible. If you don’t have a ton of time, just make sure the blankets are pulled up and pillows are arranged.
• Add a decorative touch: If you’ve got a little extra time, consider adding a throw blanket or a decorative pillow to make your bed feel extra inviting.
• Tidy the surrounding space: While you’re at it, take a moment to pick up any clothes or objects on the floor near the bed. This can be done in just a couple of minutes.

Making your bed every morning or evening takes just a few minutes, but it instantly makes your bedroom feel more organized and peaceful. Plus, starting or ending your day in a tidy room is an easy way to boost your mood.

Conclusion

You don’t need hours to create an organized, clutter-free home. With just 10 minutes of effort, you can make a noticeable difference in your space. The key is to break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable actions that can be completed quickly. Whether it’s clearing your surfaces, tidying the bathroom, or folding a small load of laundry, small daily habits can keep your home feeling fresh and organized without overwhelming you.

By dedicating just a few minutes each day to tidying up, you’ll not only keep your home more organized, but you’ll also create a sense of calm and order in your life. Give these 10-minute tasks a try, and watch how much easier it becomes to keep your home clutter-free—one small step at a time.