Macro VS Micro Organizing

Have you ever heard of macro and micro organizing? It's two different ways to organize. Macro organizing is focuses on organizing items in a whole space. Micro organizing focuses on organizing detailed parts of a space. Knowing the difference comes in handy when you’re on a time crunch to organize a space and let’s you come back to put the finishing touches at a later time. Keep reading as there are lots of examples below!

MICRO Organizing

When you organize inside a container, binder or drawer. A few examples of this would be organizing beads by color in a box with small compartments. Another example would be organizing a binder or filing system with dividers and tabs. Lastly, organizing a drawer with smaller bins for office supplies (Pens, scissors, tacks, white out, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.). Micro organizing is organizing the smaller items inside a larger container. This type of organizing can be done at anytime, and can be done in 5-30 minute increments. For instance, if you only have 10 minutes to organize a drawer or a box, this is a great way to organize the little things in that space.

"Micro organizing focuses on organizing detailed parts of a space."

MACRO Organizing

When you group like items together, and give each category of items a home. A few examples of this would be grouping the art supplies in one cabinet, placing items loosely into bins. Another example would be organizing a kitchen, where each category of items such as eating utensils, pot/pans and cleaning supplies all have a separate cabinet or drawer. Macro organizing is great when you need to figure out where everything goes, without spending too much time on the little details inside each cabinet/drawer/bin. It’s also a great method to use when you only have a limited amount of time to organize.

"Macro organizing is focuses on organizing items in a whole space."

Label It

As with any type of organizing, labeling helps to remind you and others using that space where everything belongs. The best system is the one you can maintain over a period of time.

Not sure what to label? Label items that make sense to you. For instance, labeling where the cups and plates might not be necessary for you. However labeling where your scissors go in little bin in your drawer might be helpful when others borrow it and need to remember where to put it back. Labeling bins, drawers and cabinets might also be helpful to save you time rummaging through cabinets and boxes. Some people put the label on the outside of the cabinet while others put labels on the inside cabinet door and shelves.

Using a label maker with label making tape is the easiest way to label. I usually order label making tape on amazon, making it easy to reorder as needed.

Whether you are macro or micro organizing, remember to label containers and sub categories inside as you see fit. Label makers let you label quickly and the labels stick on most surfaces.

Final Take Away

Macro and micro organizing are two different ways to organize items within a space. Once you learn to differentiate between the these two ways of organization, you can make better decisions when you organize. You will save time trying to figure out where to store items and feel more at ease organizing.

"The next time you organize a space, ask yourself, is it macro organizing or micro organizing?"

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Instagram @CalmLivingOrganizingandDesign for more posts about organizing.

Lots of love,

Karina