10 Everyday Items You Should Be Labeling to Clear Clutter at Home

Labeling is a nonnegotiable in both my home and my clients’ homes. It’s usually the last step in the organizing process, but also one of the most important details. While you might think labels are overkill—whether because a container is clear or you live solo and know where (most of) your things are—I encourage you to consider adding them in a few areas. Why? Labels remove guesswork, create consistency, and make it easier for anyone (even guests) to maintain order.

Instead of relying on your memory, labels serve as visual cues for where things can be found and returned. They’re especially helpful in busy homes, shared spaces, and storage areas that tend to collect a little bit of everything.

As a professional organizer, I often say that organization isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about reducing friction in your daily routines. When items are clearly labeled, you spend less time searching and less mental energy on decision-making. Labels also make systems simpler to upkeep. From kitchens and closets to bathrooms and playrooms, these are the 10 smartest things to label in your home and why.

1. Pantry

A pantry is one of the most-used spaces in the home, which makes it a prime candidate for labeling. Labels on airtight containers help identify ingredients at a glance, even when the packaging is removed or the contents are decanted. If you have baskets that corral snacks, such as bags of chips and granola bars, consider adding clip-on labels to identify contents. You can also find shelf labels to identify broader categories, such as baking or breakfast items, to help you define pantry zones. Labeling the pantry is especially helpful in households where multiple people are responsible for unloading groceries or meal prepping.

2. Refrigerator

Labeling groceries isn’t reserved just for pantries. Your fridge can also benefit from a label system. Assigning shelves or drawers to categories such as leftovers, produce, drinks, and snacks helps keep food visible and organized. It also encourages everyone in the house to return items to their correct spots, reducing clutter and preventing forgotten food from being pushed to the back of shelves.

3. File Folders and Paperwork

Paper clutter can quickly pile up when there’s no clear system in place. Labels make filing faster and less overwhelming by clearly defining folders for important documents, bills, warranties, school papers, and household records. Specific labels are more effective than general ones, helping you locate what you need without sorting through stacks of paper every time something comes up.

4. Cords, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories

Electronics and their accessories tend to multiply quickly, and without labels, they’re easy to mix up. Labeling cords, chargers, adapters, and their storage containers makes it easy to identify which device each belongs to and where they’re stored. This prevents unnecessary searches and minimizes the risk of retaining outdated or duplicate items you no longer need.

5. Craft and Hobby Supplies

Crafts and hobbies often include a variety of small items, which can be hard to keep organized without labels. Labeling drawers or bins by supply type (rather than by project) creates a flexible system that grows with your interests. It also makes starting and finishing projects easier, since everything has a clearly defined home.

6. Toy Storage in the Playroom

While clutter in the playroom often results from having too many toys, it can also stem from a lack of a clear system. Labels on toy bins help kids understand where items belong and make cleanup more manageable. Clear, simple labels can also help kids find what they’re looking for (without dumping everything out), keeping play areas calmer.

7. Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, tools, and refills can easily become scattered throughout the house. Labels help separate items by purpose, such as kitchen, bathroom, outdoor, or general cleaning. This makes it easier to grab what you need quickly and ensures products are returned to the right place after use, keeping your cleaning routine efficient and organized. If you make DIY cleaning products and store them in generic bottles, labeling is essential to ensure safe use.

8. Medicine and First-Aid 

Bathrooms and linen closets often contain a mix of prescriptions, pain relievers, bandages, and other first-aid items, which can be frustrating to sort through when you need something. Labeling containers or drawers by category, such as cold and flu, first aid, or kids’ medicine, keeps everything visible and easy to access, while also helping you notice when supplies are running low or expired.

9. Laundry Hampers or Baskets

This is an area that often gets overlooked, but if laundry sorting is part of your routine, labels can save you time and reduce confusion. Labeling hampers for categories like lights, darks, towels, or delicates makes it easier for everyone in the house to sort as they go. This small step streamlines laundry day and makes the task slightly more manageable.

10. Seasonal and Long-Term Storage 

Items stored for months at a time are among the most important to label clearly. Holiday decor, off-season clothing, and special-occasion items should be labeled with sufficient detail to avoid opening multiple boxes when searching. Clear labels make transitions between seasons faster and less stressful, and can help keep them better organized and in better condition.