1. Organization comes down to basic math: If you have 5 ft of storage space and are filling it with 10 ft of stuff you won’t be able to stay organized.  If you have to take apart half the closet to reach what you are looking for it won’t stay organized.

2. Buy less and use more:  Do you have five half used bottles of Shampoo under your sink?  This is simple and it will save you money, don’t buy new items until you have less then a week left of what you have.  Don’t use the new product until the old product is completely used up and thrown away.

3. Everything needs a home:  Nothing should permanently live on a table or the floor unless it is a decoration or furniture. In addition most things only need one home not three.  If you have a place where you put the same item in three different areas you will never be able to find what you are looking for.

4. Labels: If you want items to stay organized it is a good idea to make the $20 investment in a label maker.  Labeling drawers, shelves and bins will help everyone in the family stay on the same page. Try to make the labels hidden by placing on the top of shelves of on the inside of drawers, having visible labels everywhere gives a home an institutional feel.

5. Less is more: Don’t fill countertops and shelves to the brim with decorations, nick knacks and photos.  Having space makes the area look less chaotic and helps reduce the tendency to let clutter get out of control.

6. Have a reasonable amount: I get that you may like to collect certain things, but is it reasonable to have 12 sets of sheets for one bed.  Does one person really need 85 pairs of socks?  A good marker for what number is right is determined by the amount of storage space you have, if all you have in your hall closet is just towels, you need to make some room.

7. Double Duty: Get more bang for you buck by buying items that have more then one purpose.  Instead of buy the kids a Lego table, art easel, and writing desk; get one table with adjustable legs.  Have it lower for the kids to do art and crafts, homework or play on, in addition you can raise it up and use it for yourself for doing crafts, work or as an extra table when you have a full house.  Dishes are another culprit that I find take up a lot of space. Dishes that are only for pasta, salads, or Christmas are just a waste of space.  One set for everyday and one set for special occasion should be plenty for any household.

8. Consistency: Buy items that match. When buying storage containers buy a lot of the same kind, this will allow them to stack and store easily together. The same goes for drawer organizers, Tupperware, even dishes and cups. Having sets gives everything a uniform and consistent feel. Buy clear storage containers so you can easily see what inside, the bins with the lids that are hinged on either side and open from the middle are the most hassle free.

9. Designate time to organize: Organizing is different from cleaning. You need to set aside extra time to tidy up drawers and closets at least once a month.  If you haven’t done a good spring-cleaning since the mid 80’s it is going to take a while. 

10. Know when to call in for backup: If organizing is not your strong point hiring a professional organizer is always a good idea.  Not only do they have the expertise to get you organized in the most efficient and time saving way, you will have support thorough the process.