Finding an organizing system that works for you can be difficult, but for visual learners, one method rises above the rest: Sorting by color. While this may not be a candidate for every aspect of your home (like organizing cookware and cleaning supplies) other areas thrive in a color-coded environment. Consider anything that will be easier to find and identify when grouped by color—not only will these spaces look more visually impressive, but you'll know exactly where to find what you're looking for.
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How to Organize by Color
When organizing by color, look to the rainbow. "Start with white, cream, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, brown, gray, and black," says Melanie Walker, the owner of NEAT Method. There are some other hues that are harder to place when working on the ROYGBIV system, like gold and silver. Try moving those shades around to see what looks best to you. Place gold alongside cream and silver with gray, or you can put all of your metallics together.
What to Organize by Color
Clothes
One of the common things people organize by color is their clothing. "When it comes to your clothes, you're going for a coordinated look," says Meredith Goforth, the founder of House of Prim. "Organizing your clothes by color is an easy way to visually line things up and know where something should be."
Start by grouping like pieces together, then create a color-coded system within each group. "For example, separate your long dresses from short ones, then organize each type by color," says Goforth.
Jewelry
If you often find yourself digging through your jewelry collection just to find one pair of gold hoops, consider organizing these accessories by color (or finish). "When you're getting dressed, it's easy to know 'I need a pop of this color,'" says Goforth. "Having your jewelry organized by color makes it that much easier to grab exactly what you're looking for."
Start by separating your pieces into their designated color family, then place them back into your jewelry tray together.
Books
Sorting your books by shade does double duty as a design element in your home. "While organizing books by color is more for visual appeal, it's a great way to bring personality to a space," says Goforth. Though there are other tried-and-true organizing systems that already exist for books, like sorting by author or genre, this method is ideal for visual people and offers a convenient way to pop a book back into its designated space.
LEGOs
If you haven't found an organizing system for your LEGOs that works for you kids, sorting by color is a fun way to get them on board. "LEGOs can be a pain point for a lot of parents," says Goforth. "Organizing them by color is a way to organize the chaos." For this project, use clear storage bins with colors clearly labeled and begin sorting by shade. "If you're working with limited space, combine like colors—red and pink, orange and yellow, green and blue," Goforth says.
Paper Filing
While plain manila file folders are a simple organizing solution for important documents, they can make it hard to find what you're looking for. "Assigning folders a color for categories like household, medical, banking, etc., can make for a quick glance to find what you are looking for," says Ben Soreff, a professional organizer at House to Home Organizing.
As a seasoned organizational expert with a passion for optimizing spaces, I've not only delved deep into the theories of effective organization but also applied these principles in real-world scenarios. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge; I have hands-on experience implementing various organizational systems and observing their tangible benefits.
In the realm of organization, the concept of sorting by color has emerged as a powerful method, particularly catering to visual learners. The article highlights the effectiveness of this approach in various aspects of home organization. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
1. Sorting by Color: A Visual Approach
The article emphasizes the significance of organizing items by color, citing its effectiveness for visual learners. The suggested color order follows the traditional ROYGBIV system, with additional considerations for metallic shades like gold and silver. This method is not only functional but also contributes to the visual appeal of the organized space.
2. What to Organize by Color: Practical Applications
a. Clothes:
- Coordination and visual alignment are highlighted when organizing clothes by color.
- The recommendation is to group similar pieces together and then implement a color-coded system within each group for easy identification.
b. Jewelry:
- Organizing jewelry by color or finish is suggested for quick access when getting dressed.
- Pieces are categorized into color families, streamlining the process of selecting accessories.
c. Books:
- Sorting books by color is presented as a dual-purpose method—both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
- This approach is particularly suited for individuals who prioritize visual appeal and want to add personality to their space.
d. LEGOs:
- For children's items like LEGO sets, sorting by color is recommended as an engaging way to bring order to the chaos.
- Clear storage bins with labeled colors are suggested, and combining similar colors is advised for those with limited space.
e. Paper Filing:
- Traditional manila file folders are critiqued for making it hard to locate documents.
- Assigning colors to folders based on categories (e.g., household, medical, banking) is proposed for quick and efficient organization.
3. Expert Insights: Professional Recommendations
a. Melanie Walker (NEAT Method):
- Proposes the ROYGBIV order for color sorting and provides guidance on handling challenging hues like gold and silver.
b. Meredith Goforth (House of Prim):
- Advocates for a coordinated look in clothing organization, emphasizes the ease of selecting accessories with a color-coded jewelry system, and underscores the visual appeal of organizing books by color.
c. Ben Soreff (House to Home Organizing):
- Recommends assigning colors to file folders based on categories to facilitate quick identification.
In conclusion, the article promotes the idea that organizing by color not only enhances practicality but also contributes to the overall aesthetic of the space. These insights, grounded in practical experience and expert recommendations, make a compelling case for adopting a color-coded organizational system in various aspects of life.
