5 Easy Steps to Organize

jackiecantblog@gmail.com May 22, 2020 3 Comments

It’s time for another blog hop with my Insta friends Ashlee and Liz.

For this month’s hop we’re getting a few spaces in our homes organized.

Let’s talk about a 5 step system called 5-S.

Open pantry storage using 5-S
In our open pantry we use 5-S to help keep us organized. And make it easy to see what we need at a glance.

For my post I am going to geek out a little and talk about is a system that I learned about around 10 or 12 years ago at my old employer. It is a simple way to organize called the 5-S methodology. This is a system that is used in professional environments to organize workspaces but this system can also be translated to be used in our homes.

The origin of the 5-S system comes from Japan where space is limited and efficiency standards are high. If you have a small home or limited storage space I’m sure you can relate. Then you can use this simple to remember and easy to use system to get your home or workspace organized.

Sounds good, but what is 5-S?

Organized coat closet using 5-S
We use baskets to keep our pet items, reusable shopping bags, and winter gear organized in the front coat closet.

Well, 5-S is just 5 steps clearly defined and used to get a space organized. For each of the 5-S steps the word used to describe that step starts with an “S” in both English and Japanese. How cool is that?

  • Sort (the Japanese word- seiri)
  • Shine (seiso)
  • Set in order (seiton)
  • Standardize (seiketsu)
  • Sustain (shitsuke)

Let’s take a look at each step and how it’s used.

Sort

Hat and shoe storage using the 5-S system
In our bedroom we use wall hooks to keep all of The Man’s hats organized.
Underneath we use old crates for shoe storage and organization.

The first step for 5-S is to Sort all of your items for the space. This is when you would take everything out of the space- a cupboard, a drawer, a closet, the garage, or basement- and sort all of the items. Keeping all of the like items together that you want to organize and put back into the space.

It’s a great way to see visually how much stuff really needs to be organized. And then you can discard or remove any unused or not needed items to other spaces. I like to think of this as a great time to purge and donate!

Shine

Bathroom jars used to organized personal items.
The bathroom is a space that we all love when its clean isn’t it?
These glass jars keep regularly used items in the open but still organized.

Wait, what? Shine?

Yup, it’s just a fancy way to say clean! After you have pulled all of the items out to be sorted you will need to clean the space- or Shine. I love getting a space all clean before putting the items to be organized back into it.

I mean, who doesn’t love a clean space?

Set in order

A small shelf with baskets, crates, and a suitcase to keep things organized.
I like using pretty baskets to keep our pet toys clean and off the floor. A fun painted crate to keep my essential oils altogether and within reach. And a vintage suitcase for holding all of the computer cables neat and organized.

The next step is to Set in order all of your items. Basically this is the step in the 5-S process where you decide on the where and how items will be stored and organized in your space.

This is what I think is the fun part of organizing! This is when you can use pretty baskets or boxes to keep all of those like items together.

Standardize

In our closet I keep like items together by color and style. From left to right we have my long sleeve shirts and sweaters to stripes tees to solid short sleeves tees,
Then on to The Man’s shirts and jackets.
Even on the shelf above the jeans are all together and the shorts are stacked in one pile.

Now that you know how you’re going to organize your items lets Standardize where they go. Designate a specific spot for those items to go.

You can even label the spot like you would for any closed storage such as bins, or boxes. In the pantry you can label containers with Flour or Sugar so at a glace you know what is and where it goes upon return.

Have you heard of the phrase- “a place for everything, and everything in its place?” That is what the Standardize step of 5-S is.

Sustain

An open pantry kept organized with 5-S and baskets, crates, and bowls.
In our open pantry we use 5-S and lots of crates, baskets, and bowls to keep all of our food items organized.

Ok, now for the hardest step of all! And I will admit that even I fail at this one! All. The. Time.

Now it is time to Sustain, or maintain and keep up the system that you have put in place. You’ve used the steps to get the space organized, now all you have to do is stay with it.

Or just sustain it!

Sounds easy and it should be if the system you have developed is easy to use and sustain. Use the baskets, keep it clean, put items back where they belong, and eventually you won’t even have to think about where something is or if you are going to need more.

5-S methodology: 5 easy Steps

Well, that’s it! A 5 Easy Step system that you can use to get any space organized! Can you remember all of the 5-S steps?

Sort, Shine, Set in order, Standardize, and Sustain!

Let me know if you give 5-S a try!

Comment below or you can connect with me on Facebook or over on Instagram

Let’s check out what my friend Liz has been organizing on her blog- Living with Liz

Liz’s pantry closet over at Living with Liz

My friend Liz has been spring cleaning and getting organized! Go and check out her post- Springtime Means One thing

Then go to Ashlee’s blog Sweet Southern Oaks and see what she’s been up to-

Ashlee has done a round up of all the pretty over at Sweet Southern Oaks

Our friend Ashlee has been rounding up some of the best Amazon organizing solutions.

I hope that we have been able to give you some inspiration to get a space or two organized in your home

The 5-S system we can all do!

Thank you so much for stopping by and for giving me and my Insta friends Ashlee and Liz some of your time. I do so appreciate it.

You should check out our other blog hops! We meet up once a month and give our own take on a theme. See them all HERE

Be sure to follow me over on Instagram where I post almost everyday!

3 thoughts on “5 Easy Steps to Organize”

  2. I’ve never heard of the 5-S System before, but I’m totally adopting this into my organizing journey! Also, my closet is color coded and by item too!

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