10 ADHD Home Organizing Tips

If you have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, you’re probably all too familiar with the challenge of maintaining an organized home. While ADHD can feel like a superpower during times of hyperfocus, creativity, and high energy, the organizational side of things seems to be ADHD’s kryptonite.

Whether you have been diagnosed with ADHD or not, this list is here to you a few ideas for how to best organize your home by creating easy systems and routines to keep your space clean in a way that works for you instead of against you.

Here are 10 simple tips to help you keep your space organized and create an ADHD-friendly home so you can chill without the clutter.

1) Hooks and Baskets are Your BFFs

Hooks are perfect for hanging up what you may otherwise toss aside. Keys, coats, bags, leashes, and other items that tend to get left laying around can all benefit from having a designated hook. In addition to tidying up common areas, using hooks means you’ll have designated spaces to check for the things that you need when you need them. Similar to hooks, baskets are another great way to keep things organized in your home. They can store those odd items that are used often but are otherwise stowed away, such as blankets, dog toys, and water bottles. By utilizing baskets, you won’t be tripping over your things but you’ll also have them close on hand when needed.

2) Avoid Buying in Bulk

If you love Costco as much as I do, you know how easy it is to wind up with four packs of your favorite foods instead of the single item you needed. Unless you’re cooking for others or live far away from the grocery store, it’s best to only buy what you need for the week. When you stock up on goods, it’s easy to lose track of your inventory and forget what you do and don’t have at home. This usually means your storage spaces quickly become full and food starts to expire faster than you can use it.

3) Declutter When Possible

While I love a knick-knack as much as the next person, having a lot of stuff to keep track of can feel overwhelming, especially for someone with ADHD. An easy way to reduce this kind of chaotic energy in your home is to declutter what you don’t need. Simply put, the less stuff you have, the easier it is to keep it all organized. If you haven’t used something in a few months, chances are you never will. So get rid of it and free up some space in your home! The trick here is to take it one step at a time and not get overly ambitious upfront. For example, instead of trying to tackle your entire wardrobe in one day, break it down and declutter your pants during one session, your jackets at another time, and your collection of running shorts whenever they get washed next. Regular decluttering simplifies what you have, making it easier to keep your space organized and gain control over how you feel in your home.

4) Get a Basket for Clean Clothes

We’ve all been there before - you get a load out of the dryer only to dump it on your bed with the promise of folding it later. While it’s tempting to throw clean clothes on a chair or keep them draped on your rug until you wear them, consider getting a basket for clean clothes to accompany your hamper for dirty clothes. This way, your clean clothes stay clean and out of the way until you either wear them or find the time to fold them. This is an easy way to eliminate visual clutter without much effort.

5) Keep it Visible

Out of sight, out of mind is no joke for neurodivergents. Storing items out of sight can lead to accidentally losing your things or buying unnecessary items, leading to a more cluttered space. Keeping frequently used items in visible places make it easier for you to find what you need quickly instead of digging around. Designate spots for your most important items, such as your keys and wallet, so you’ll know where to look when you need them. Similarly, keeping produce that needs to be used ASAP in an easy-to-see place in your fridge reduces the chance you’ll forget about the spinach you bought and end up throwing it away in a few days. If you’re looking to take things a step further, consider getting a label maker to label your containers so you know exactly what’s inside without having to search through each one. Similarly, use clear storage bins throughout your house that allow you to see everything at a glance.

6) Keep it Simple

Keeping it simple is essential to maintaining systems in the long term. Abandoning elaborate systems for straightforward, more sustainable approaches is a must. While aesthetics are cute, you don't need to color code your sock drawer or make sure your dishes are all matching. The systems that are easiest to maintain are the ones that stick around long after your socks are all jumbled together again or you chipped one of the four matching salad bowls. The priority here is being able to find what you need when you need it, storing things where you use them, and keeping systems simple enough that you stay organized. A lot of people who have ADHD struggle with starting tasks, so breaking tasks into smaller steps can make it easier to get started. You’ll have a much easier time cleaning if you focus on one room at a time and break it down into areas within each room instead of trying to tackle the whole thing in one day.

7) Set an Alarm or a Timer

Unfortunately, outstanding memory is not one of the symptoms of ADHD. To counteract this, setting alarms or timers throughout the day can help boost time management and keep you on track. For example, a one-time alarm on your phone can remind you to pick up groceries on your way home from work, or a daily alarm can ensure that you never forget to lock the back door before heading to bed. This is especially helpful for those tasks that need to get done but that you might otherwise forget. Similarly, timers are a great way to prevent you from losing track of how much time you’ve spent on a task. For example, if you only have 20 minutes to clean before you need to get ready for bed, set a timer for 20 minutes to ensure that a quick cleaning session doesn’t end up being two hours.

8) Sticky Notes are a Godsend

In case you haven’t picked up on it, routines and rituals are key to counteracting the typical forgetfulness of an ADHD mind. That being said, what do you do when an out-of-the-ordinary event pops up, such as needing to bring a casserole into work or drop off due library books? Try using a sticky note as a visual reminder. Simply write down any reminders or time-sensitive tasks that might otherwise be forgotten and place the note where you’ll see it when you need it. By having a massive visual aid, you’ll be less likely to forget essential tasks. Whether it’s on your bedside table, the front of your fridge, or inside your shoes, these notes serve as great reminders of those little things that may be otherwise forgotten.

9) Make an Outbox

An outbox is simply a place designated for things you need to take out of the house. This could be library books that need to be returned, dry cleaning that needs to be dropped off, or clothes that need to be donated. The idea is that once you have a block of free time, you can deal with everything in fewer trips, reducing the hassle.

With an outbox, you're less likely to leave things lying around the house or forget to return them.

10) Micro-Tidy in Bursts

To keep messes from getting out of hand, create a habit of taking a few minutes each day to do a quick clean-up. It could be washing dishes, throwing a load in the washer, or taking out the kitchen trash. This goes a long way to help you feel more organized from day to day and it’s small and simple enough that it only takes a few minutes to complete. By focusing on high-traffic areas, you’ll reduce clutter and stay on top of things. If you're someone who loses track of time, you can set a timer so that when the timer goes off, you’re done.

If you’re feeling up to it, experiment with a few of these “hacks” and see what sticks. At the end of the day, the best organizational systems are the ones that work best for you. There are no universal rules on how you need to do things in your own home.

If the thought of tackling your cleaning to-do’s or reorganizing your pantry feels overwhelming, just take it one step at a time. A little bit goes a long way and before you know it, you’ll have systems in place that you can rely on to stay organized and keep clutter at bay.