If you have a vanity vs. free standing sink, you’ve got ready storage space under the sink. The problem with this is that most under the sink spaces are way under utilized. First of all, one side is usually taken up with visible and annoying pipes, and the other side is tall, but has no shelving system. The last issue are those really long drawers in bathroom vanities. They’re usually long, but not so wide, and few come with partitioned storage.
The best thing about storage solutions for under the sink or in a drawer is that you can buy ugly …read more

We’ve seen some Nice Shower Rack Choices here at Declutter It before, but to round out our bathroom decluttering and organizing bonaza, I figured I’d bring in a few more

Mercer Bath System – I recently saw this and love it. All the little hooks, and the racks for washcloths are so functional. This system is a little pricey but it’ll hold a lot. It’s appropriate for showers or as an above the tub solution. Available at Pottery Barn. (I didn’t even know they had bath goods!)

You don’t need to visualize the exact space above, but all in all, if you can visualize a clutter-free space, you may have a better chance at eliminating clutter and getting organized in the upcoming year.
Visualizing what you’d like to see in your home is important. Right now, if your home is over-cluttered, all you see and feel is obviously clutter. That’s overwhelming and not great motivation for change. However, if you can visualize a new space, a new look, a new way of living, you may just be motivated enough to pull it off.
Some ideas:

If you’re extra creative, …read more

Heads up – I added a new poll to the sidebar (look to your right and scroll down below the archives). Go ahead and vote, or add your own answer. Tell me what you’re interested in cleaning and organizing most in the upcoming year.
If I know what you’re most interested in, I can post more often on those topics.
OR if you have some oddball poll aversion, feel free to leave a comment – I can use those to plan the year as well. Later, I’ll post my own decluttering and organizing goals.

Dead space is a tiny, or not so tiny spot in your home that’s just sitting there, not being useful. Most people have lots of dead spaces, yet are always thinking, “Where can I put this?”
To use dead space:
Make a list: Trot around your house and make a list of dead spaces. Types of dead spaces include inside cabinet doors, above bookshelves, under tables, and some wall space.
Make a second list: Your second list builds on your list of dead spaces. For example; you see that you have a dead space in your hall closet. When you open the closet …read more

Uncluttered lives tend to be simpler than cluttered lives. Uncluttered lives also tend to be full of smaller things – smaller rooms, smaller collections, smaller items in exchange for big ones. Why? Smaller is just easier to clean, organize, and keep clutter-free. It’s not hard and fast, we’ve all seen people living in small rooms, who have overwhelming clutter, but in most cases learning to live small can help you stay clutter-free and buy you more life hours – hours you won’t be spending organizing and cleaning.
Small living rules: 

If you’re actively trying to declutter, you may be trying tricks like sorting boxes of stuff (i.e. stuff to keep, stuff to toss, maybe items). This does work for many people. In fact I advocate this as a pretty good decluttering tactic.
That said, it doesn’t work for everyone. Some people NEVER finish deciding about that maybe box. Boxes like this, if you’re undecided, basically just move around your house. That’s not decluttering; that’s called reorganizing clutter.
If this is you, if you’re stuck, you need a harsher rule. The 2 minute rule. Set a basic kitchen timer for 2 minutes. Grab …read more

There’s this popular theory that I’m sure you’ve hear at some point in your life; “Waste not, want not.”That’s true to a point, but often, people can go overboard on clutter morals. If you were raised on the whole waste not, want not theory, it may be the reason behind your clutter problems.
Here’s the thing – get over it. You won’t burn if you toss, recycle, or give away your old books or sweaters, not even if you give away an entire collection of ceramic miniatures. NOT EVEN if you throw out or give away food (gasp) that no one …read more

Now is a good time to get down to business when it comes to decluttering, simplifying, and clearing out your house. Plenty of the items you own, but no longer need or use can be donated. If you donate before December 31st 2008, you can claim these deductions on your taxes. Wait to long to organize and you’ll have to wait until next year.
So hop to it. Need help? Read:
Organizing by Simplifying
How To Start Getting Rid of Stuff – Get Rid of “Maybe” Items
Clutter Confessions and Denial
The Case Against Deep Storage
What exactly is clutter?

Shower racks, or caddies are great little organizers. They keep items off the tub side, and can also keep stuff that kids shouldn’t have up and out of the way.
Here are some nice shower rack options:
Sunshine shower caddy – how cute is this?

Teak Shower Caddy – really unique and beautiful.

Avant Corner Shower Caddy – not totally my style, but would work great in the corner of the right tub. Comes in three color flavors.

And just for fun… Giant …read more