5 Easy ADHD-Friendly Organizing Tips That Actually Work
If you've ever stood in front of a pile of random items thinking, "Where does this even go?" - you're in the right place. Most traditional organizing systems were made by and for people with neurotypical brains. But if you live with ADHD, you know those systems don’t always work. Or rather, they look great for a day and then implode spectacularly by day three.
That’s not your fault - it’s just a system mismatch. ADHD brains function differently - they need visibility, instant access, minimal steps, and a serious dose of dopamine to stay engaged. That’s not a design flaw; it’s a beautifully different operating system. So let’s stop forcing it to run on someone else’s settings.
The good news? There’s an entirely different way to organize - one that’s flexible, forgiving, and actually works with the way your brain functions. Here are five ADHD-friendly (and pretty easy) organizing tips that break all the usual rules, and thank goodness for that.
1. Let Visibility Trump Aesthetics (Almost) Every Time
Out of sight = out of mind. If you can’t see it, your brain acts like it doesn’t exist. That’s not a quirky habit - it’s part of how ADHD shows up: when something’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. This is often described as difficulty with object permanence - your brain doesn't keep track of items it can't currently see. Translation? Closed drawers and opaque bins are where stuff goes to die.
Of course, some things have to go behind doors - cleaning supplies, bathroom items, breakables. The trick is to make those behind-the-scenes spaces just as accessible and obvious as your open ones. Use clear containers, bold labels, and consistent placement so your brain doesn't have to guess.
Real-life example: If your cleaning supplies are under the sink, use an aftermarket pull-out drawer or a clear bins labeled "Everyday Cleaning." That way, you're not digging through mystery bottles every time there's a spill.
Quick wins:
Vertical space on the back of doors is often overlooked - it’s prime real estate! Try using open, clear, hanging storage. It keeps items visible and handy.
Use clear, open-top bins (no lids!) whenever possible. You can see what’s inside, so you are less likely to forget what’s in there.
Hang things up instead of storing in boxes or drawers. (PS - who said you are supposed to use a dresser? That is not a rule. Hang all your clothes up if you want to. 100% allowed. I do it with clients all the time!)
Add see-through organizers on the back of doors - great way to use prime real estate while still easily being able to see what’s in them!
How about command hooks on the inside of cabinet doors? I had a client who could never find hair ties, so we grabbed a zipper pouch, put them all in there, and hung the pouch on a command hook mounted on the inside of a kitchen cabinet she used frequently. SHE LOVED IT. It worked for her. - which is all that mattered.
This example leads me to…
2. Put Things Where You Use Them, Not Where They Should Go
You know where you want things to live. But where do they actually end up? Figuring that out is the start of your real system - and it’ll usually end up way better than any Pinterest-perfect layout.
Forget forcing yourself to take five extra steps every time. Instead, pay attention to where you're most likely to look for something or use it in real life - and set up a home for the item(s) there.
Real-life example: If you constantly find yourself looking for your keys near the kitchen (in the bathroom? next to the couch?), create a dedicated hook or tray in that area. Let the system reflect your habits, not fight them.
A launch pad by the front door can help you get out the door without a lot of stress. It also helps to keep key items in one spot, giving them each a permanent home.
Quick wins:
Store backups of key items in multiple locations - yes, duplicates. If your brain stalls out when you can't find the scissors, phone charger, or reading glasses, having duplicates in certain key rooms can be a sanity-saver.
Keep pet supplies right where you feed your pets. Instead of tucking them in a utility closet that feels more “logical, remove the barrier of having to drag it out and put it away.” If you are worried about aesthetics, simply find a nice-looking container to store the food in - there are hundreds out there. A quick Google will find you one.
Create a "launch pad" station that has everything you need to get out the door - wallet, purse, keys, phone, charger, reading glasses… whatever. Then put it where your brain wants it to be. That might be by the front door, on the coffee table, or on the kitchen island. I have no idea - only you do. But make it easy, so when you come home you can put everything right back there - with zero effort.
3. Stop Micro-Organizing: Your Brain Doesn’t Want That Kind of Relationship
Trying to remember 20 different “proper places” for things is a recipe for burnout. ADHD organizing works best when it’s broad, flexible, and forgiving. When the system is too detailed, your brain bails. ADHD organizing only sticks when it’s easy to follow on autopilot. Your brain already has about 87 tabs open - let’s not give it another one.
Your system or “bin” doesn’t have to be complicated or large. It can be as simple as a container on a desktop that’s labeled with a big, broad category & easy to use. It just needs to give your things a permanent home.
When organizing your office, let’s say, traditional organizing loves categories like: pens, pencils, highlighters, markers. ADHD organizing says: Writing stuff. Done.
You don’t need ten different bins for ten types of breakfast food. You need a "Breakfast Stuff" basket. You don’t need a labeled drawer for every kind of toy. You need a few big buckets labeled: "Pretend Play," "Building Things," and maybe "Stuff I Keep Stepping On."
Real-life example: Toy rooms are a micro-organizing nightmare - and it never lasts. Use large tubs or baskets that kids (and adults) can clean up with in one swoop. If it takes more than 15 seconds to decide where something goes, it won’t be used.
Quick wins:
Organize for general (big / macro) categories, not specific (little / micro) ones
Use clear zipper pouches inside larger bins to corral tiny parts while keeping them visible
If it’s better for your brain, try grouping by activity or purpose (“2025 Taxes,” or “Project A”), rather than type of item. Another example might be creating a “working from the couch” bin that includes pens, notebooks, chargers, etc. That all crosses item categories, but it’s all used for one purpose, at one time, in one place - and it always stays there. Perfect!
4. Everything Needs a Home - or It Becomes a Doom Pile
Doom piles don’t happen because you’re lazy. They happen because your brain hit a decision wall.
When you walk in the door and have to figure out where something goes, your brain delays the decision - and boom, it lands on the dining table, the stairs, or The Chair (you know the one). Multiply that by five items a day and you’re drowning by Friday.
Real-life example: The mail doesn’t pile up because it’s overwhelming. It piles up because you don’t have a designated, clearly labeled spot where it belongs - one that’s easy to access. One simple system = pile prevention.
Quick wins:
A brightly colored bin for mail will not only remind you to toss the daily mail in there, but will help you not to loose it! Try going through it each day with your morning coffee.
Designate a “home” (tray, small bin, small bag, or small basket…whatever) for anything that comes in or goes out of the house regularly (mail, returns, bags, chargers).
Make the item’s home eye-catching! Colors that are easy to see are much more likely to catch your eye when you need to put things away. Avoid black and dark colors - they are easy to overlook and lose. Go for colors that you love and that stand out, whether it’s a bright red bin or a yellow label.
Create a habit of going through the area and addressing what’s in there. Returns that need to go out the door, mail that needs to be opened and addressed, etc. I suggest building some of these habits alongside something you are already doing. For example, with your morning coffee, review the mail. When you are chillin’ with your favorite TV show in the evening, process your Amazon returns and get them in the designated return bag. You get the idea - but make a habit of it!
5. Try Body Doubling! You Don’t Have to Tackle This Alone
Body doubling can be incredibly helpful for folks with ADHD - it can be grounding, help keep you focused on the task at hand, provide a distraction for a very busy mind, and help you to accomplish tasks in a pre-set period of time. Virtual or in-person sessions are both great! Give it a try.
If you’ve ever stared at a pile of clutter and suddenly forgotten how to human, you’re not alone - and you’re not broken. For ADHD brains, getting started is often the toughest hurdle. That’s where body doubling comes in.
Body doubling is when someone simply hangs out with you - in person or virtually - while you tackle the task at hand. They don’t necessarily organize for you; their steady presence acts like an external anchor that boosts focus, distracts your brain a bit, cuts through decision fatigue, and keeps avoidance at bay.
Why it works: The ADHD brain can struggle with task initiation and follow‑through. Having another person nearby flips the brain’s “time to work” switch, providing gentle accountability, minimizes distractions, and a hit of dopamine from social connection. If that person is a trusted friend or professional, they can also offer objective feedback when you’re waffling over what to keep, toss, or donate.
Real‑life example: That paperwork mountain you’ve been dodging for six months? Fire up a Zoom call with a buddy, sort together in real time, and let their presence keep you from drifting to Instagram mid‑stream.
Quick wins:
Try a free virtual co-working session or body doubling group - they’re great for activation and structure.
Better yet, work with someone experienced in ADHD organizing who gets how your brain works and can support you without judgment (yep, that’s me).
If you’re not sure where to start, grab my free guide or reach out for personalized coaching - you don’t have to figure this out alone.
Invite a friend over to hang out while you declutter - their only job is to sit, chat, and keep you on task.
Final Thoughts: Organizing With ADHD Isn’t About Perfection - It’s About Function
If you’ve tried the cute matching bins and color-coded systems and still felt like a failure - you’re not alone. Those methods weren’t built for your brain. They were built for someone else’s highlight reel.
Organizing for ADHD is about reducing friction, increasing visibility, and building systems that match how you already move through life. Your space doesn’t need to look perfect - it needs to work for you.
When organizing stops being about getting it “right” and starts being about making it easier, everything changes. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building a home that works with your brain (not against it), I can help.
No judgment. No pressure. Just systems that finally make sense.
Hey there! I’m Kerry, and I’m a professional home organizer in the Northwest, specifically the Portland, Oregon / Vancouver, Washington area. I also travel up to the Mat-Su Valley region of Alaska (Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla) a few times a year - going everywhere clearing clutter from people’s homes. I’ll meet you where you're at, zero judgment (and will bring along a sense of humor).
We can declutter, organize, and create spaces that support the life you want to live!
If you’d like, you can learn a bit more about me here.
Want to schedule a no judgment, complimentary consultation? I’d love the opportunity to meet you, hear your story, and learn how I can help.
