Trello is free, powerful, and easy to useheres how to get started.

Why Use an App?

I’ve even used the writing app Scrivener as a general planning tool.

Editing a screenshot in Shottr’s editor on a Mac.

We’ll get more into the specifics in a moment.

Arent Project Management Apps for Work?

Some project management apps are indeed complicatedbut there are also beautifully simple ones, like Trello.

A family using a laptop with some Trello cards in the background.

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Why Trello?

A Few Examples

I’m currently midway through selling one apartment and buying another.

Any listings I wanted to view were put in the Wait column.

A Trello board with apartment listings.

Ben Lovejoy

When I had a viewing arranged, I simply dragged it to the Scheduled column.

Another board is apartment design.

I broke things down by room, then by individual cupboard or drawer.

A Trello board showing apartment design considerations.

Ben Lovejoy

Creating a Board

Visittrello.comand use the “Create an Account” link to register.

If asked to choose your plan, opt for the “Free” one.

You’ll be asked to choose between “Create Board” and “Start With a Template.”

A detailed list of storage in each room.

Ben Lovejoy

Personally, I find it easier to use the first option to create something from scratch.

Creating Lists

I recommend closing the side menu by clicking the “<” button shown below.

That gives you a much cleaner screen.

Click the small arrow to hide the sidebar.

Ben Lovejoy

You’ll now have an “Add List” button top left.

Click that and give it a name, then click “Save.”

Again, repeat as many times as desired to add as many cards as needed within each list.

Adding lists to the Trello board.

Ben Lovejoy

Adding Photos

select any card to open it, and you’ll see all the options available.

smack the “Cover” button and upload your photo.

tap the card to open it, and then the “Description” button.

Adding cards to each task.

Ben Lovejoy

You’ll also see here options to link to existing cards.

I’ll skip the screengrabs, as these would just be the same image.

To add a checklist, simply poke the Checklist button.

You can attach a photo to help make it easier to get information at a glance.

Ben Lovejoy

Note that deadlines aren’t the only way you’ve got the option to use dates.

For my flat-hunting, for example, I used the date to indicate the date of the viewing appointment.

Using Color Coding

To color-code cards, smack the “Label” button.

A VR headset displayed on a Trello card.

Ben Lovejoy

You’ll get a set of default colors, but can also edit these.

Just check the box next to a color to add that to the card.

However, there is one quirk to watch out for.

Adding a link to a Trello activity.

Ben Lovejoy

Just tap the Share button top-right, and enter their email address.

There are some subscription-only features, but personally I’ve never needed any of them.

For almost everyone using Trello for personal projects, then, it remains free forever.

Adding color-coding to the Trello board can make it easier to visually track your progress.

Ben Lovejoy