Spring cleaning always begins the same way.

The sunlight returns. Windows open. Suddenly you notice the clutter that quietly accumulated all winter—closets overflowing, drawers packed full, and stacks of kids’ artwork growing on the kitchen counter.

But according to professional organizer Mallory Shows, founder of Hello Happy Home, spring cleaning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

Instead of tackling your whole house in one weekend, Mallory encourages families to create simple organizing systems that make your home easier to maintain all year long.

Below are some of her best spring organizing tips for families, including one of the most common clutter challenges parents face: what to do with kids’ artwork.

Start by Emptying the Entire Space

One of the biggest mistakes people make when organizing is trying to tidy around existing clutter.

Mallory’s rule is simple: take everything out first.

Whether you’re organizing a closet, pantry, playroom, or desk drawer, emptying the space allows you to:

• See exactly what you’ve got
• Identify duplicates
• Spot items you forgot about
• Reset the space completely

It may look messier at first—but this step makes organizing dramatically easier.

Sort Items Into Categories

Once everything is out, group similar items together.

Professional organizers call this categorizing, and it’s one of the most effective ways to declutter quickly.

Try creating simple piles:

• Keep
• Donate
• Toss
• Relocate (belongs in another room)

This step helps you understand how much you actually have—and makes it easier to decide what truly deserves space in your home.

Use Professional-Organizer Favorite Storage Products

Professional organizers often rely on a handful of tried-and-true organizing brands that combine function with clean design.

Mallory frequently looks to solutions like:

• clear bins and drawer organizers
• pantry containers 
• modular storage systems from The Container Store

These products help create visual order and easy maintenance, especially in high-traffic spaces like kitchens, mudrooms, and playrooms.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating a space where everything has a logical home.

Declutter With Your Real Life in Mind

Many people worry that decluttering means getting rid of things they love.

But organization isn’t about living with less—it’s about living with what matters most.

Ask yourself:

• Do we use this regularly?
• Does it serve a purpose in our home?
• Does it bring us joy?

If the answer is no, it might be time to let it go.

For sentimental items—like children’s drawings, school projects, and handmade cards—families often want to keep them without letting piles take over the house.

That’s where smarter storage solutions come in.

The Smartest Way to Organize Kids’ Artwork

One of the most common clutter challenges parents face is kids’ artwork.

From preschool scribbles to elementary school masterpieces, the artwork stacks grow quickly—and most families end up storing them in boxes, bins, or drawers.

Professional organizers often recommend selecting favorites and preserving them in a format you can actually enjoy.

Many families choose to turn their children’s artwork into Plum Print books, which transform stacks of drawings, paintings, and school projects into a beautifully printed keepsake book.

Instead of storing piles of paper in closets or bins, a Plum Print book allows you to:

• Preserve your child’s favorite creations
• Reduce clutter in your home
• Display the memories on your coffee table

It’s one of the simplest ways to organize kids’ artwork while keeping the memories intact.

Give Everything a “Home”

The secret to staying organized isn’t just decluttering.

It’s creating a system.

Every item in your home should have a designated place where it belongs.

For example:

• Pantry snacks grouped in labeled bins
• Cleaning supplies stored together
• School supplies in one container
• Kids’ artwork collected in one place before turning it into a keepsake book

Many families keep a simple artwork folder or bin during the school year, then send their favorites to Plum Print to be turned into a book once the pile grows.

This keeps artwork organized without letting it overwhelm your home.

Labels Make Organization Easier

Labels may seem simple, but they’re one of the most powerful organizing tools.

Labels help:

• Family members maintain the system
• Kids know where things belong
• Spaces stay organized longer

Even simple labeled bins or drawer organizers can dramatically improve how a space functions.

Tackle One Small Space at a Time

Spring cleaning becomes stressful when you try to organize everything in one weekend.

Instead, professional organizers recommend focusing on one small space at a time:

• One drawer
• One cabinet
• One closet shelf
• One stack of kids’ artwork

Small wins create momentum—and before long, your home will feel dramatically lighter.

Preserve the Memories Without the Clutter

Decluttering doesn’t mean letting go of sentimental items.

In fact, organizing often helps families highlight what matters most.

Children’s artwork, handmade cards, school projects, and drawings are memories worth saving—but they don’t need to live in overflowing bins.

Turning those keepsakes into a Plum Print Book allows you to preserve the memories while freeing up space in your home.

Instead of stacks of paper, you get a beautiful book you can flip through with your children for years to come.

A Happier Home This Spring

Spring cleaning isn’t about perfection.

It’s about creating a home that supports your daily life and makes space for what truly matters.

Start small.

Clear a drawer.
Organize a closet.
Sort through the artwork pile.

And if those stacks of kids’ drawings have taken over your home, turning them into a Plum Print book might be the simplest organizing solution of all.