25 Ways To Be More Organized

These quick and easy organizing ideas are the perfect way to get into a clutter-free routine for the new year — or any time. Try one a day to create a noticeably more organized home in no time at all. Plus, shop for stylish storage solutions recommended by the HGTV Magazine editors.

... to see which ones actually work. Toss the ones that don't.

"Attack your stack of mail with a camera," suggests Jasmine Roth, designer and host of Help! I Wrecked My House. "Take photos of any coupon codes or other info you need to keep (and any cards you feel bad tossing), then recycle that extra paper."

... you’ve been holding on to just for sentimental reasons.

... at eye level in your entryway, garage and closets, using lower ones for kids. Repeat this mantra: “Don’t put it down; put it away.”

... where you can keep them out of sight until your pup is ready to play.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends optoutprescreen.com to stop credit card offer letters; for catalogs, call the number on the back.

Pick a number between 1 and 10 and for every X books you keep, donate one.

... from paper towels and other supplies, then store the items in a basket or box in the bottom of your pantry or closet so you can easily take inventory of what you have.

Follow this rule of thumb: The closer something is to the eyes, the shorter the lifespan. (Most mascara lasts about three months after opening.)

Empty your kitchen utensil crock into a basket and leave it on the counter. Every time you use a tool, put it back in the crock. At the end of the month, donate anything that’s left in the basket: You probably don’t need it!

... for your suitcase so you have them next time you need them. They protect clothes from shoes and help you keep track of what you’re bringing.

"Create more space in a closet or cabinet by hanging cleaning products in an over-the-door shoe organizer," says Taniya Nayak, designer and host of Battle on the Beach.

... in pretty storage boxes that you can stack on shelves or leave out on your coffee table.

Set a timer and hit an area you don’t usually tackle, like cabinet fronts, the oven hood or the inside of the trash bin.

"Take an hour while watching TV to unsubscribe from unnecessary emails," says HGTV Smart Home 2024 designer Tiffany Brooks.

Grab a trash bag and toss all the coffee cups, wrappers and receipts that have been piling up in your car. Don’t forget to check under the seats.

... with storage containers that have flat sides. They take up less space on a shelf.

... and send them to a textile recycler like Retold Recycling.

... to declutter your closet: Turn all your hangers around the opposite way, then every time you wear something, hang it back correctly. After six months, donate anything you didn’t turn. Most people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time.

Rename your junk drawer a “utility drawer,” then move or throw out anything that doesn’t fit that description. Use drawer dividers or small clear containers to hold what remains, like keys, a pen light and scissors.

... you need to deal with in two magazine files: one for “to-do” items and one for “to-file” items.

... so you can get rid of clutter wherever you are in the house. Look for cute ones that you don’t mind leaving out.

... so everyone in the house thinks twice before snagging someone else’s!

... at Goodwill or a thrift store and put it in your calendar. Think of it like a dentist appointment — it’s not necessarily fun, but if you put it on the schedule, you’ll do it!