What do you see?
Don’t be surprised if some of your mental tension evaporates as the clutter clears.
“But it’s rarely true.
Credit: Lincoln Barbour Photo
All they end up with is more clutter because their empty containers are taking up space.”
Then buy storage containers accordingly.
Monochromatic plastic or cloth bins look restful and organized when displayed in multiples.
Credit: Brie Williams
Ask the Honest Closet Questions
Resist the “I might wear it eventually” mentality.
Instead,take a hard lookat your wardrobe.
Each day, ask yourself three questions about one piece of clothing: (1) Is it flattering?
Credit: Marty Baldwin
(2) Do I love it?
(3) Does it represent who I am today?
Organize Your Junk Drawer
Did you know it’s smart to have a junk drawer?
Credit: David A. Land
It serves as a catchall for those little odds and ends you know you’ll need at some point.
But junk doesn’t have to mean chaos.
Watch and learn storage ideas to keep yourjunk drawer organized.
Credit: Steven McDonald
Declutter Your Nightstand
Make your nightstand aclutter-free zone.
Limit yourself to a reasonable number of books (stacked neatly!
), and add a tray to hold change and jewelry.
Credit: David A Land
If you have open space below, slide in a basketfor blankets or magazines.
Not only will your bedroom look more beautiful, but you won’t wake up to a mood-wrecking mess.
Create Calm in Your Linen Closet
Is your linen closet overflowing?
Credit: Kimberly Gavin
Carefullyconsider each item in your closet.
If it doesn’t make you feel wonderful or look fabulous, it’s time to pass it on.
Put it in yourdonation box, and put that box in your car ASAP.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Corral Instruction Manuals
What do baby swings andblenders have in common?
Thick owner’s manuals.
Staple the receipt and warranty to the cover of the manual.
Credit: Adam Albright
Digitize Favorite Recipes
Are your cookbooks gathering dust?
The same goes for recipes in magazines.
Tear out the relevant pages, then recycle the rest.
Credit: Brie Williams
Another option is to scan and save all your favorite recipes to your phone using a digital app.
Improve Cleaning-Day Efficiency
Think like ahousecleaning professional.
Make Organizing a Family Affair
Reserve one Saturday morning for afamily cleanoutevery three months or so.
Credit: Ann VanderWiel Wilde
Box up donations and drop them off that day, then reward yourselves with lunch at a favorite restaurant.
Set Storage Criteria
Designate the dividing line between “keep” and “toss” before sorting.
That way, there’s no “analysis paralysis” toslow your decluttering.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Utilize the Area Behind Doors
Look to the backs of doors and cupboards for bonus storage ideas.
Shallow shelves, hooks, andover-the-door organizersmake convenient spots for items without an obvious home.
Lids for pots and pans, gift-wrapping materials, and shoes are all prime candidates for behind-the-door storage.
Credit: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
When the hamper is full, take it to a local charitable organization.
Create a Sheets Storage Idea
Organize sheets for each bedroom into designated bins.
That way, finding the right linens for a specific room is a snap.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
That means opening everything, paying bills, filing important correspondence, and recycling junk mail.
Remember Reusable Bags
Never forget yourreusable grocery bagsagain.
This storage idea reduces clutter and saves you time when hurrying out the door.
Credit: Carson Downing
Play a Decluttering Game
Make clutter-busting afamily game.
Write tasks on slips of paper and put them in a hat or basket.
Each person chooses one, completes the task, and then returns for another.
Credit: Marshall Johnson
Designate a Donation Box
Practice organizational layaway.
Set aside a box for things you’reconsidering donatingbut aren’t sure you’re ready to give up.
Be Honest About Usefulness
Appeal to your practical side whenconsidering organizationand storage ideas.
Credit: Anthony Masterson
“Do I use it?”
“Could someone else use it?”
Get Outdoor Spaces Organized
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Credit: Adam Albright
Credit: Edmund Barr
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Kathryn Gamble Lozier
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
