5 Disorder Disasters: Organized!

When clutter is staring you in the face, learn how to confront it without fear with five strategies for staying organized.

(Continued from Page 2) By Liz Gray
Holiday Switcheroo

Situation: Holiday gifts have overstuffed your child's already small room. A pile of toys that would overwhelm Santa Claus litters the floor, but you don't own a sleigh to store it all in. Why didn't Grandma give you some extra storage space along with that enormous stuffed bear?

PHOTO

This colorful tween room designed by Lauren Jacobson is also full of functional space. For example, the bright ottomans serve as seats and storage. Photo by Anthony Nex Photography.
Solution: Holidays and birthdays usually mean an influx of new toys and clothing, so it's a good time to get rid of toys that your children have outgrown. Professional organizer Sherrie LeMasurier recommends a "one in, two out" rule.

"You can't constantly add more storage," says LeMasurier. "For every new toy, try to get rid of one or two old ones." Encourage your child to banish anything that's not useful or sentimental — it will teach them how to stay organized. Remind them: If it's not useful to them, it could be to one of their peers.

If the pile of keepers still rivals the one in the North Pole, professional organizer Betsy Peterson recommends rotating. Store a few toys in your child's room, then stash the rest in an out-of-the way closet. You'll save your storage system, and your child will feel like they're getting new toys all year!