How to Declutter and Streamline Home Storage

Hang your clothes with the hangers facing backwards; once you’ve worn an item, hang it the correct way. Check your closet every few months (or at the end of each season), and donate what hasn’t been worn.

To choose which books you donate, only keep books you want to reread, you’re likely to recommend to others, or that have special sentimental value. Donate anything else to the library or used book shop.

A music player, digital movie account, or eReader holds dozens upon dozens of files, freeing up physical space. Some companies convert your movie collection to digital for a minimal fee.

Inventory your toy collection before every birthday and major gift-giving holiday: donate items your kids have outgrown and dispose of anything broken.

Review mail, forms, and letters when they’re received. File important papers such as birth and marriage certificates or tax documentation—then shred and recycle the rest.

By subscribing to a digital version instead—you’ll reduce paper waste and keep the stacks of old issues under control.

For papers you’ll need to refer back to but don’t need to keep, snap a quick photo and store them in a folder on your phone or computer.

Storage baskets and bins are beloved by organizers everywhere, thanks to their knack for keeping nearly anything contained. Explore these ideas for organizing with baskets and bins:

• Opt for wicker baskets or fabric bins to create a clean, cohesive look for bathroom towels, bed linens, or storage closet organization. Group similar items together: sort bed sheets by room, towels by size, home hardware and tools by type, and decorative accents by season.
• Use bins to create divided organization within dresser drawers: separate festive flannel pajamas from year-round options, jeans from loungewear, or socks from intimates.
• Keep blankets in a basket in the corner of any room—stack or roll throw blankets for a polished look, or simply toss them in for a cozy aesthetic.
• Add slim baskets to the bookshelf or beneath a side table for a convenient space to stash tech cables, spare remotes, or other messy items.

• Opt for wicker baskets or fabric bins to create a clean, cohesive look for bathroom towels, bed linens, or storage closet organization. Group similar items together: sort bed sheets by room, towels by size, home hardware and tools by type, and decorative accents by season.
• Use bins to create divided organization within dresser drawers: separate festive flannel pajamas from year-round options, jeans from loungewear, or socks from intimates.
• Keep blankets in a basket in the corner of any room—stack or roll throw blankets for a polished look, or simply toss them in for a cozy aesthetic.
• Add slim baskets to the bookshelf or beneath a side table for a convenient space to stash tech cables, spare remotes, or other messy items.

Don’t let space restraints stymie your efforts at organization. Whether your home is small in size or simply lacks closet space, find (or create) storage space for everything with these organization tips:

• Use oft-overlooked space: store seasonal bedding in breathable storage bags beneath the bed, shopping bags on the back of the mudroom door, and special occasion serveware in the space above your kitchen cabinets.
• Choose bedding or decor items that take up less space—think duvet covers or quilts instead of bulky comforters, or decorative pillow covers instead of multiple throw pillows.
• A shelf hung above a door frame transforms this forgotten space into a practical home for artfully arranged books or kitchen items like tableware, pitchers, and decorative serving bowls.
• Opt for double-duty furniture. Tuck blankets within a storage bench or choose a coffee table with drawers for extra storage space.
• Take advantage of the vertical spaces in your home: store gift wrap in an over-the-door rack, hang mops and brooms on the wall for practical utility closet organization, or install shelves above your washer and dryer for laundry detergent and cleaning supplies.

• Use oft-overlooked space: store seasonal bedding in breathable storage bags beneath the bed, shopping bags on the back of the mudroom door, and special occasion serveware in the space above your kitchen cabinets.
• Choose bedding or decor items that take up less space—think duvet covers or quilts instead of bulky comforters, or decorative pillow covers instead of multiple throw pillows.
• A shelf hung above a door frame transforms this forgotten space into a practical home for artfully arranged books or kitchen items like tableware, pitchers, and decorative serving bowls.
• Opt for double-duty furniture. Tuck blankets within a storage bench or choose a coffee table with drawers for extra storage space.
• Take advantage of the vertical spaces in your home: store gift wrap in an over-the-door rack, hang mops and brooms on the wall for practical utility closet organization, or install shelves above your washer and dryer for laundry detergent and cleaning supplies.

Bonus Organization Idea:

when organizing a closet or a cabinet, put frequently used items front and center to save time and avoid making a mess as you look.