If you’re looking for home organizing tips for ADHD – you’re in the right place! Let’s be honest—life is already a lot. Then you throw in laundry, dishes, clutter, and cleaning, and it can feel downright impossible. And if you’re like me and have ADHD? Multiply that overwhelm by ten.
I was diagnosed with ADHD five years ago, and organizing didn’t come naturally to me—at all. My brain doesn’t do compartments or systems very well. But I’ve found some truly life-changing hacks that have taken me from “hot mess express” to someone who’s (mostly!) organized all the time. And yes, it’s possible—even if your brain feels like it’s constantly spinning.
Let me show you how.
The Power of “Zoning” for an ADHD Brain
The first (and biggest) game-changer? Zoning. It sounds fancy, but it’s super simple. Instead of telling myself “I need to organize,” which feels overwhelming, I say, “I’m creating a zone for this category.”
Start with the Condiments
I used to have multiple bottles of ketchup open at once (no shame), and I could never find what I needed. My first zone was just a labeled bin in the fridge door for condiments. That tiny change saved time, reduced frustration, and even saved money.
Try a Get-Ready Bin
Forget scattered makeup, vitamins, or meds. Throw everything you need in the morning into one container. Boom—less mess, more routine, and only one thing to wipe under when cleaning.
Create Functional Stations That Do the Work for You
We ADHDers thrive when things are simple, visual, and easy to use.
1. Snack or Lunch Station
Turn a drawer or basket into a grab-and-go snack zone. Whether for your kids or yourself, this saves time and reduces forgotten items.
2. Clutter Catcher
Add a small basket or bin to high-clutter areas like the kitchen counter or stairs. Toss items in throughout the day, then return them to their homes at night.
ADHD-Friendly Way to Meal Plan
Let’s talk about dinner. If the daily “What’s for dinner?” question fills you with dread, you are not alone. For those of us with ADHD, meal planning can feel like an overwhelming maze of recipes, grocery lists, and decision fatigue.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to plan out a gourmet week of meals. You just need a little structure—and that’s where Theme Day Dinners come in.
What Are Theme Day Dinners?
It’s a simple system where each day of the week has a theme. That way, your brain has a built-in shortcut instead of having to think from scratch every night.
Here are a few examples to get you started:
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Meatless Mondays – Think veggie stir-fry, lentil soup, or pasta primavera
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10-Minute Tuesdays – Super quick meals like wraps, quesadillas, or air fryer favorites
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Slow Cooker Saturdays – Toss it in the crockpot and forget it
Once you assign a theme to each day, you’re only choosing between a few familiar meal ideas. It cuts decision fatigue and makes shopping way easier too.
To make it even easier, I’ve made you a FREE printable menu planner.
Here’s how to use it:
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Print it out and pop it in a plastic sleeve
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Use a dry-erase marker to circle your meal ideas from a pre-written list (included in the planner!)
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Jot your final plan and grocery list right on the sheet
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Stick it on the fridge or inside a kitchen cabinet
Bonus tip: Save your old weekly menus to rotate them every month! You’ll end up with 4-5 weeks of go-to plans that you can recycle with zero effort.
Organizing Tips That Break the Rules (On Purpose)
Let’s bust some myths. Organization doesn’t mean perfection—it means finding what works for YOU.
Ditch the Dresser
If folding clothes is your nemesis, skip it. Who says you actually have to fold and use a dresser to put away your clothes? Use open bins or baskets for categories like pajamas, workout clothes, and socks. Or even just clean stacking laundry baskets—slide them into a shelving unit and call it good.
Embrace Brain Dump Zones
I forget things constantly, so I have notebooks and sticky pads in key places—by the bed, by the coffee machine, on the fridge. If it’s important, I stick it up where I can see it.
Your New Best Friends: Reminders and Visual Cues
Timers & Alexa
Set multiple timers throughout the day. “Tidy for 2 minutes.” “Start dinner.” “Put the clothes away.” , my phone (or Alexa) helps me stay on track and builds new habits without the mental effort.
Visual Frames
Those hinged art frames for kids? They’re also perfect for chore charts, daily routines, and reminders. It’s simple to update them and swap them out, PLUS they’re tidy, cute, and visible—ideal for an ADHD brain. I use mine to put reminders to take reusable grocery bags with me as I head out the door!
Reduce Friction with These ADHD-Friendly Systems
Use Hooks, Hanging Baskets, and Shelves
If you tend to drop things on counters, install a hook or hanging basket above that spot. Now it has a home!
Follow the Two-Step Rule
If putting something away takes more than two steps (like lifting a lid, opening a drawer, finding the right folder…), it’s too many. Simplify it and keep it to only two steps – you’ll be amazed at how that trains your brain to put things where they belong!
Bedside Chaos? Not Anymore
Do you spend a lot of time in bed (hello, fellow bed-rotting fans)? Create a bedside drop zone. A small rolling cart or under-bed bin can hold your journal, books, charger, whatever you need. Easy to access, easy to hide.
The Magic of “Errand Day”
One day a week—just one—is dedicated to errands. For me, it’s Fridays – that’s the day I do groceries, doctor visits, hair appointments. It’ll streamline your week and helps you stop chasing your to-do list every day.
Never Lose Your Phone Again (Seriously)
A charging station is a must. Designate a home for your phone, watch, earbuds—whatever you’ve got. It’s not just functional; your brain will automatically start putting things where they belong.
Label Everything (Like, EVERYTHING)
I’m a label maker addict and proud of it. Labels give your brain a visual cue and eliminate the “Where does this go again?” problem. Eventually, you won’t need the labels—but when starting out, label like it’s a preschool classroom. To get started, one of my faves can be found here!
Train Your Brain to Be Tidy
Use 2-minute tidy sessions throughout the day. Set a timer, and just put things away for two minutes. Over time, this becomes muscle memory—and suddenly you’re a tidy person, even if it doesn’t come naturally.
Store It Where You Use It
This one is so simple, but I used to overlook it all the time. Keep the dog food near the bowls. Store your knitting supplies where you actually knit. Board games? Right near where you play them. No more running around or leaving things out.
Trays: The ADHD MVP
Want your family to stop losing the remote? Put a tray on the coffee table. It turns the table into a defined “home,” and suddenly people actually use it. It’s weirdly effective.
Maximize Cabinets with Pull-Outs
Pull-out drawers or lazy Susans inside cabinets make everything visible and accessible. You don’t need a custom install—stick-on versions from Amazon like these – work wonders.
End the Day Right: Close the Kitchen
Just like restaurants do a closing shift, I “close” my kitchen every night. Five minutes to load the dishwasher, wipe counters, toss garbage—and boom, I wake up to a clean space. It’s magic.
Try Just One Today
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t stress. Start small. I always recommend zoning your condiments—it’s quick, easy, and oddly life-changing. Pick one organizing tip from this list and give it a try today.
And remember—your home doesn’t have to look like a magazine. It just needs to work for you.
Download my FREE Miracle Menu Planner Here
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