Clear the Clutter in 1 Month

Clear View

Keep your closet neat. Arrange sweaters by color or style in transparent bins or canvas hangers. You'll easily find the one you want to wear.

Book Smarts

Rather than filling shelves with all your books on end, lay some flat and top them with photos and accessories.

Toy Storage

Snap and print photos of your child's toys to create labels for storage bins. Designating separate containers for dolls, cars, and blocks keeps the playroom neat and teaches sorting skills.

Top Drawer

Tuck a simple cutlery organizer in the drawer of your bedside table. The small compartments are perfect for holding nighttime essentials.

Shoe Storage

Is tracked-in mud making a mess of your entryway? Tuck an old metal tray or cookie sheet beneath the entry bench or table to hold shoes and boots.

Socked Away

Give each family member a washer-safe mesh laundry bag for dirty socks. On laundry day, wash and dry the bags and give them back. Voila -- no more missing socks!

Kitchen Catchall

To cut down on dishes, place a bin on the counter to hold glasses, mugs, and sippy cups that are refilled repeatedly. At the end of the day, place them in the dishwasher.

On a Roll

To keep small washcloths from getting lost in the linen closet, roll them up and tuck them in small bins or baskets. Before guests arrive, simply set them out.

Clip It

Keep a cup of inexpensive binder clips handy for a multitude of uses: Clip them on bags to keep snacks fresh, clamp coupons and shopping lists together, or stand one sideways to display a photo on your desk.

Remotes Controlled

Tired of searching for the clickers? Designate a bin or basket for the remote controls for your TV, DVD player, and stereo, and always return them there.

Pantry Perfect

Transfer dry foods, such as pasta, rice, and beans, into plastic or glass containers. Eliminating the bulky packaging saves space, the airtight bins keep food fresh, and you can view the contents at a glance.

Hip To Be Square

Want to preserve kitchen counter space? Hang mugs, cups, and utensils on an under-mounted cabinet rod using S-hooks.

Snack Smarts

Place a plastic basket that holds healthy refreshments for the kids in the refrigerator. Keeping fruits, cut-up veggies, and cold cuts in one place offers easy, on-the-go options.

Recycling Center

Set up a storage spot for cans, bottles, and other recyclables in your kitchen or garage. Depending on the available space, you may want to use small buckets under the sink or large bins against the wall.

Raise the Bar

Double your clothing storage by installing two closet rods (one above the other). Dresses, skirts, and pants can hang on the top and shirts and blazers on the bottom.

Store More

Place a tall kitchen pot rack in the corner of a small bathroom to maximize storage and corral clutter. Keep it stocked with toiletries, towels, and bath tissue.

Basket Basics

Pull out the baskets you've accumulated, and use them in new ways: Line them with pretty cloth napkins to serve rolls, fill with soaps and shampoos for guests, or add colorful fruit or flowers for a centerpiece.

On Track

Keep your CDs in a visor organizer above your seat. When you want to change the music, you can keep your eyes on the road rather than fumbling with cases.

Bedtime Storing

If you're short on closet space, tuck bins under the bed to hold seasonal or infrequently used items. For your comfort, choose containers that roll or slide easily.

• Making the Bed

Giving Back

Place boxes in each family member's room to hold outgrown clothing and unused toys and games. When the boxes are full, donate them to a local charitable organization and help someone less fortunate.

Tin Can Revival

Give empty tin cans new life. You can leave the labels on if they're pretty or re-cover cans with your own paper. Use them to hold cooking utensils, flower seed packets, or office supplies.

Works of Art

If your children's paintings are piling up and the refrigerator-front gallery is full, encase them in sheet protectors and tuck them in binders.

Got You Pegged

Hang a variety of pegs in the entryway to hold coats, hats, and umbrellas. You'll get out the door more quickly each morning, and visitors will appreciate a place to put their belongings when they arrive.

For Pets Only

Set up a pet-supply station in a quiet area of the garage, mudroom, or laundry area. Install a rack for holding leashes and collars, and add bins for organizing treats, toys, and bones.

Stowed Away

Organize paper clips, pushpins, and other office odds and ends in a small muffin tin. You can tuck it in a drawer or display it on the desk.

Room for Shoes

Instead of using boxes, store footwear on closet shelves or racks for easy accessibility. To keep your boots from losing their shape or toppling over, tuck an empty paper towel roll inside them.

Organization Station

To simplify the morning rush, designate a shelf or cubby near the door for each child. Stash backpacks, permission slips, and other essentials there the night before to reduce lost items and last-minute hassles.

Magnetic Personality

For fun and functional storage space, brush magnetic paint on the back of a door, the side of a cabinet, or a small unused wall. You can display artwork, hang metal hooks, or stick up schedules and lists.

Artful Display

Are you running out of display space on tables and shelves? Line up small collectibles, framed photos, or flowers on windowsills.

Table Talk

Hang an over-the-door towel holder in the linen closet to hold your nicer tablecloths. They'll be free of wrinkles and right at hand for your next dinner party.

Open and Shut

Install a window seat with a lift-up top. You'll gain a spot to curl up with a book as well as valuable storage space.