Control Clutter in Small Spaces With These Tips From a Pro

Small-Space Solutions
Ways to get creative when you don't have much space

Professional organizer and Mission: Organization guest Liz Witts offers web-exclusive tips.

Closet Talk

Most of us cannot redo the closets in our homes, so we have to get creative to maximize the space. Here are a couple of ways to do that:

• Use double-hanging sections and every inch of wall space for things like shoe and tie racks. Sometimes you can even utilize the inside of the closet door for extra storage.

• It is OK to only put hanging items in a closet. Let's face it — some closets were just not cut out for the full duties of clothing storage.

• If your closet is especially tiny, you might consider installing additional drawers in another part of the room to house smaller items of clothing.

Size Matters

When selecting furniture for a room, be sure that the piece is right size for the space and setup. Big, beautiful furniture can be great, but it can also be a disaster in a small room. A streamlined arrangement frees up valuable space and helps establish a clutter-free haven.

Use It, Don't Lose It!

Look around for valuable space that is not being used. Empty spaces can be a great opportunity to increase storage as well as help create order. Instead of those dust bunnies taking up residence under the bed, put that space to good use with some under-bed storage containers, for example. These work especially well for infrequently used or seasonal items. Another good place for things like that on high shelves. The less often you need to access the item, the less accessible it should be.

Be sure to make a list of what you do put in long-term storage areas so that you won't lose track of what you do have and end up buying duplicates.

To Read or Not to Read ...

If you have read a book and have no intention of reading it again, you should get rid of it. Share it with a friend, or donate it to a charity. Over the years they essentially become clutter, taking up valuable storage space.

Leisure-reading items can be kept in the bedroom, but save those college calculus books for the home office.