The Simple Organizing System That Costs Nothing (and Actually Works!) 🤩
🎶
“Look for a rainbow”
🎶
From the song, “Where Are You Rainbow” by Suzan Alakas
If you’ve tried organizing systems before and they never quite stuck, or felt too complicated, too expensive, or just not you, this post offers a refreshingly simple (and surprisingly satisfying!) alternative. 💡✨
And the best part is that it works with the way your brain naturally sorts information! Let’s go!😊
• Originally written: 27 June 2025
• Last updated: 27 June 2025
• Written by: Suzan Alakas
Suzan is Growtharmony’s Founder and Editor-In-Chief. She is passionate about spreading positive, solution-oriented media via songs and other formats - all in an effort to make the world a better place! When Suzan’s not writing, finding leverage points or learning something new, you can find her in the garden, playing in the snow with her family, or in the kitchen cooking up a nourishing meal!
Organizing can get expensive! 💰💶
Investing in shelves, dressers, storage cubes, bins, bags, labels, label makers… the list goes on and on… and it all adds up!
When you scroll through Pinterest and see the beautiful designer options, it can get really discouraging when you’re on a tight budget!
Not only are we all on different budgets, we also all organize differently.
If you’re balancing a business, family, and/or creative chaos 🙃🙂, you quickly realize that those perfectly staged systems don’t usually work for your life!
Maybe you’ve tried to follow Marie Kondo’s methods but it feels too minimalist.
Maybe your brain thrives when things are out where you can see them, or maybe you feel most peaceful when everything’s tucked away behind closed cabinet doors.
Some people love detailed systems with folders and subfolders and color-coded tabs, while others prefer broad categories and a little wiggle room.
Some are minimalists, while others are happy collectors. 🎨🎁📦
But perhaps we can agree that everyone can benefit from having a clear, reliable system that fits their brain and their lifestyle.
Enter organizing with categories and boxes!
Why Categorizing Works
When you use containers to group items into categories, you’re actually giving your brain less to process. This reduces decision fatigue and stress, and helps you find what you need faster. 🧠
It’s a technique often used in neuroscience-backed productivity methods - because when your environment feels less chaotic, your brain does too!
Your Organizing Style
To find your organizing style, consider the following questions:
Do you categorize in general categories?
Do you prefer to sort and categorize into small, detailed categories?
Do you prefer to see all your items out on display?
Do you prefer to have your items stored away and out of sight?
Are there young children in your home that may need simpler systems until they grow?
Are you sharing spaces with others that might have other organizing styles or preferences than you?
The Free Organizing System! 😎
Boxes are everywhere! And most are free!
Start saving boxes from deliveries, dry goods or other sturdy packaging.
Shoe boxes or berry cartons work wonderfully!
You can also ask local stores if you can take extra boxes or bins when employees are stocking shelves. In my experience, everyone is more than happy to pass them along. ♻️
After categorizing your items based on your General vs Specific organizing style, next decide if you want your items hidden or on-display.
Hidden:
• Boxes can be easily labeled so you can open a cabinet door and find your items quickly.
• By removing the tops of the boxes, you can open a drawer a see everything that’s in it.
On Display:
• Cut your boxes low and put them top of dressers or shelves so they are visible.
👉 NOTE: Having a variety of box sizes on hand is super helpful - not only to match the amount of space that a particular category of items, but also to fit into the shelves or drawers that you want to put them in!
BONUS: Decorating The Boxes!
If you want to dress up your boxes, are so many creative and cozy ways to make them beautiful!
Cover in leftover wallpaper or wrapping paper 🎁
Paint with calming or energizing colors 🎨
Use decoupage or even tissue paper + glue
You can make it a project with your kids, your organizing friend, or enjoy it as a mindful solo activity with your favorite music playing. 🎶💕
Organization doesn’t have to cost money - and when you build your system around YOUR lifestyle and YOUR own brain, it can actually work and be sustainable long term. Woot Woot! 💡
Enjoy your newly organized space! 🤗
Here are ways to leverage nature’s power to reduce stress and increase productivity!
✨ Take our 30 minute ‘Nourishing Meals at HALF the Cost” training to save BIG on your grocery bills and food preparation costs!
✨ Subscribe to the Growtharmony YouTube Channel for more uplifting, actionable tips and videos!