Say goodbye to clutter - and hello to organization.

Don't spend another wasted minute searching for your favorite shirt or your shoe's missing mate. Whip your closets into tip-top, organized shape.

• Rid your closet of unwanted clothing. Donate or discard items that you haven't worn in two years or items that are stained or torn beyond repair.
• Use hangers – wooden or plastic – that won't misshape your clothes or get tangled up in the closet.
• Assemble complete outfits on one hanger.
• Group like garments together.
• Identify and remove items that are best stored elsewhere.
• Utilize the back of the door for extra space.
• Select the form of shoe organizer – over-the-door, shelves, or shoe bags – that will accommodate the number of shoes, their styles, and their usage frequency.
• Keep out-of-season clothing in garment bags, storage chests, or clear bins and store them in out-of-the-way places.

An organized bathroom can reduce the stress of the morning rush and decrease the time it takes family members to get ready.

• Clean out your drawers and cabinets. Throw away items you don't use or need anymore. Pay special attention to duplicate items, as this will save you time and money.
• Save space by using over-the-door racks to hang robes and towels.
• Decrease clutter in the shower and bathtubs with wall-mounted or bathtub caddies.
• Add a stacked cabinet over the toilet to hold towels and toiletries.
• Use drawer organizer trays to keep your drawers neat and tidy.
• Consider decorative containers for holding small items you use on a daily basis and keeping your counters and shelves looking their best.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet once a year and throw out old and expired medications.

The garage is usually the catch-all location for items that don't have a place in the home. Give your garage a serious overhaul and reclaim this valuable space for your cars.

• Organize the garage after you've organized the rest of your house.
• Discard or donate items that you don't use anymore.
• Place items that you use regularly so they are easily within reach.
• Sort items into categories first, and then purchase sturdy, properly sized containers.
• Group like items together on shelves or in sections.
• Make the most of vertical space with wall-mounted peg boards, tool holders, and hooks.
• Use small, stackable containers to hold small hardware like screws, nails, and bolts.

The kitchen. It's the one room in your house where everyone goes –
to gather, to eat, and to socialize. Save time while you're cooking and make the room more pleasant for your family and guests with a little organization.

• Store rarely used appliances out of the way and not on your countertops. Only necessary items that are used on a daily basis should be stored on your countertops.
• Get rid of duplicate utensils, plastic containers, and dishes.
• Use racks to store cookie sheets, cutting boards, and trays upright in your cabinets.
• Sliding drawers and stacking shelves can ease accessibility and visibility within your cabinets.
• Add expandable or modular organizers to reduce clutter in your drawers.
• Group like items together.
• Keep your commonly used plates, cups, and utensils close to the dishwasher for quick and easy clean-up.

Before you pack away your valuable family heirlooms, be sure you're choosing the right container. Ultraviolet rays and acids can destroy your irreplaceable printed materials, photographs, and textiles; therefore, the storage containers you select should resist dust, dirt, and light infiltration, as well as resist crushing when stacked.

If you need to wrap or separate any of your items, select an acid-free tissue paper, as regular cardboard and newsprint can cause your items to yellow from acid-related damage.

Finally, have your garments and textiles professionally dry cleaned or laundered before you store the items. Untreated stains could attract insects and cause fibers to deteriorate.