My Go-To Tips for How to Organize Your Home for ADHD
Because staying organized shouldn't feel like an uphill battle every single day, if you're living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), chances are you've heard every piece of organizing advice under the sun—from color-coded systems to the KonMari method. But when your brain is already juggling a dozen tabs and trying to remember where you last saw your keys, a more scientific approach isn't always what you need.
You need something simple. Realistic. Sustainable. And maybe a little fun.
As a professional organizer who's worked with adults and children with ADHD and their families, I've seen the real challenges ADHD minds face when it comes to organizing. It's not about being lazy or messy. It's about working with your brain—not against it.
So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in a loop of doom piles, or just trying to figure out the best way to keep your living space functional without losing your mind, take a deep breath. You're in the right place.
Why Organizing With ADHD Is a Different Ball Game
ADHD symptoms like task initiation struggles, mental clutter, overwhelm and overstimulation, time blindness, and difficulty with boring tasks make traditional organizing strategies hard to stick with. And when your energy levels are inconsistent or your brain thrives in chaos and creativity, keeping your home tidy can feel like climbing a mountain… in flip flops. But here's the thing: organizing your home can be doable—even enjoyable—when done the ADHD way.
The ADHD-Friendly Approach That Actually Works
You don't have to organize your entire room or house in one weekend. In fact, trying to do that often backfires and leads to even more mental blocks and burnout.
Instead, let's start with small steps, specific goals, and a realistic approach that gives your brain those little wins it loves.
Here are my go-to tips, straight from my work with clients:
1. Start Small for a Quick Dopamine Hit
Pick one space—just one. Maybe it's your kitchen counter, your coffee table, or that one chair where clothes go to nap. Start with a decluttering project that feels doable in 15–30 minutes. You can even select one type of item you're decluttering or searching for, such as red books. Doing this creates Instant gratification ( and honestly gamifies the process a bit), builds momentum, and makes the task easier to finish. Taking this approach also allows you to take breaks and return to the overall mission if and when you get overwhelmed.
2. Use a "Take Back" Basket
The "take back " basket is one of my favorite tools. Keep a basket or bin in rooms where you tend to collect piles. Use it to gather things that need to go back where they belong. At the end of the day, or when you're in the mood, take a lap and return everything. This creates a routine for yourself and yet another game that works with how you function in your home a bit better. The basket serves as a visual reminder (ADHD brain loves that) and keeps things from piling into doom piles. Instead, you have one pile in a contained area to deal with when the time is right.
3. Ditch the Lids
Bins with lids are cute—but annoying. I recently learned about this, and it makes total sense! When bins have lids, it creates two challenges. First, it creates a barrier to entry to the things in that bin and honestly creates another step you have to keep track of. You're less likely to put things away if you have to remove a lid every time. Secondly, it turns into another space to stack items in piles without opening the original bin. So this turns into buying new items you don't need, potentially creating even more clutter you must maintain. So, opt for open baskets, open-face bins, or drawers without tops. You'll thank yourself later.
4. Label Everything (Seriously, Everything)
A label maker might just become your new best friend. When everything has a name, your brain can go on autopilot. You don't have to remember where the tape goes—it's labeled. Labels can help the entire household know where things belong and help you along the way. When everyone has a clear sense of how to maintain the space, it no longer becomes a solo burden for the person with ADHD. And if any family members come to visit or help with childcare, they know how to keep the system going without you there to think about it and add another tab to your brain.
5. Organize Based on Behavior, Not Pinterest
ADHD adults tend to create piles—and those piles tell a story. Instead of forcing yourself to be a "new person," use your patterns to guide your setup.
Put things where you naturally leave them. Keep similar items together in spots that make sense to your habits, not to someone else's aesthetic. For example, if you always leave your keys on the coffee table, create a permanent home for your keys on the coffee table. This way, you can start to train your brain and develop routines. Also, if the entire household knows this is your habit, they'll be sure to place those items in this area if and when you have a bad day and don't stick to your normal patterns.
6. Set a Timer to Create Focus
Time blindness is a common symptom of ADHD. Try setting a 10–15 minute timer when tackling a space. This creates a sense of urgency and gives you permission to stop afterward. It turns the task into a sprint—not a marathon. You can institute the timer when you need to maintain the space as well as part of an opening or closing shift. Knowing that there is an end to the task will keep you focused and engaged to see it through. I personally love the Pomodoro method ( 25 minutes of focus, followed by a 5-minute break), and if you're up for more of a challenge and have a group to support you, you can attempt one hour a day. Just make sure you stop after that hour to give your brain a break.
7. Use Color to Spark Joy
Make your systems fun. Use color-coded folders, bright baskets, or colored labels. Not only does this reduce visual clutter, but it also helps your brain associate organization with something stimulating. Color can also serve as another mental cue for what belongs in that space. I recommend limiting the number of colors so you don't get overwhelmed. Three colors with a job attached to each color tends to work well. Similar to a traffic light.
8. Lean on Your Support System
You don't have to do this alone. Invite a good friend or family member to help you sort things. Or consider hiring a professional organizer who understands ADHD or even an ADHD coach. If emotional clutter or sentimental items are slowing you down, support can help you process things without getting stuck.
Sometimes, the hardest part is just getting started—or staying consistent. That's when extra support can make all the difference.
Consider:
Working with a professional organizer who gets ADHD
Joining ADHD support groups online or in person
Asking in a Facebook group for systems that work
Following ADHD creators on social media
Following live Qs or podcasts for community encouragement
The goal isn't to be perfect—it's to feel less stressed and more supported. There is no shame in seeking professional help or a supportive community, primarily when it benefits your mental health.
You're Doing Just Fine
At the end of the day, the goal isn't a perfectly curated home—it's a peaceful one. One that works for you, not against you. So if all you did today was label one bin or clear one corner of the kitchen counter, that's a win. ADHD organization isn't about overhauling your life overnight. It's about tiny shifts and doing a little bit at a time to create a lasting system. Start where you are. Use what works for your ADHD style. And remember: less stuff, more calm.
