Reducing clutter involves a simple solution and having some organizational tools will go a long way. Closets are always cluttered. Since this area is rarely seen then the tendency is to place whatever needs to be kept inside. A good way to eliminate clutter is by finding a storage solution. Shelves are space savers. If the closet does not have shelves then it is time to put them into place. Items can then be placed on specific shelves and might even be good if placed in storage boxes which have been labeled or color coded for easy access.

Stackable bins can also be purchased. You can start with a couple then add up more bins as you go along. You can place picture albums, documents or magazines and label. For bigger bins, you can place sports equipment that you no longer need like gloves and golf balls.

Remember, that reducing clutter is also getting rid of things that you no longer use. When this happens, you can give clothes, toys or books to charitable organizations. But choose what you give well because if they are mementos or heirlooms then they should be stored in a dry and safe place.

If you have teenagers or young children, check under the beds because this is one place that accumulates clutter. Considering that you have organized your closet, you can place whatever important item in there. But if the closet is full and under the bed is an alternative storage space then purchase space bags to hold seasonal beddings. Space bags are space savers too because you suck out the air which makes the pack smaller and easy to store. Wheeled bins will also be another solution. They can slide under the beds keeping the area tidy and easy to clean.

Once the items taken from the cluttered area have been segregated and placed in appropriate storage solutions, there may be those that need to be eliminated. Be sure to evaluate each item. Always remember that you are aiming at reducing clutter in your home. It is important to focus on making your home a nice, clean and organized place. Give those things that can be used and you do not need any more to charitable organizations. Dispose those that are broken or not operable properly.

The key to reducing clutter in your home is the determination to do so. Involve the other members of the family so they can help determine what is needed and what has to be eliminated. The task may take days but in the long run it will be worth it.

Reducing Clutter in Your Home by Martin C. Johnson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

You can easily declutter your desktop without deleting any of them through the following suggestions:

* Make use of the Quick Launch folder in your computer which content becomes apparent as part of the Task Bar located next to the Start button. This is the area where you drop frequently used items. These items enable you to make a shortcut to programs, files and folders.

If you are not able to find this next to Start button, click Taskbar, select Toolbar/Quick Launch. From this point, you can add items by dragging them on top of Quick Launch or right click just before the double arrows to open the Quick Launch folder.

You are given the option to create new folders to organize your items; you can also add files based on your preference. When you are through; close the folders.

* Add a Toolbar to the Taskbar and you have a good solution of decluttering your desktop. Start to create empty fold- Folder Shortcuts which is somewhere on your hard drive as your My Document Folder. Next, drag all the Folder Shortcuts sitting on the desktop into this folder.

Right click on an empty space of the Toolbar and select Toolbars/ New Toolbars and search for the folder you have just created. You have now a new Toolbar which is similar to Quick Launch. This will allow for easy access to the folder shortcuts that used to clutter up your desktop.

There are other methods on decluttering your desktop and you can choose which ever suits your working style. Once you’re finished, your desktop will never look cluttered again.

You can do this by using your common sense and following these practical and simple guidelines.

1. Look at the contents of your medicine cabinet. Throw away all expired medicines. Do away with empty or almost-empty containers of perfume, lotion and nail polish. Retain the products of your choice but give away the ones that you don’t like or found ineffective. The amount of space saved in your cabinet is worth much more than the amount of the products you are giving away.

2. Check the drawers one by one. Assess its content then keep only the articles you need and donate the rest. By emptying the drawers, you can easily find items you are looking for.

3. Keep bathroom counter clean and free from articles. Dispose of anything that has reached its date limit. Make-up should not be kept more than one year.

4. Your bathroom wall will make an ideal place for storage. You can build an extra shelf or utilized the area to hang your soap dish and toothbrush. You can place a towel holder to hang the towels.

5. Provide each family a basket or plastic container for their personal bath accessories. When not in use, place in the linen room or on bathroom shelf.

6. Place a caddy on the neck of shower head where soap, razor, shampoo, hair conditioner and other items are kept neatly.

7. Train each family member to place wet and soiled clothes in the hamper or to deposit in the laundry room.

8. You can clean and arrange your bathroom after every use. It will save time and effort.

You can make your bathroom your haven and refuge so you will far from the madding crowd. But this is only possible by the knowledge you have on how to declutter your bathroom.

1. Bring out all the stuff inside your garage. When the garage is empty, you assign a space for various items, for example: vehicle supplies, sports gears, gardening and lawn tools, holiday décor and household equipment.

2. Sort out the stuff. Decide which items you need, which ones to donate and which one to throw. If you’re a fun person, you might organize a garage sorting party where your friends can share the fun of doing it. Place all the things to be donated in the giveaway space. If you want to raise cash, you can put up a yard sale for these things.

3. Plan where to place the sorted items. Articles broken or unsafe should be wrapped in newspapers and placed in the garbage bin. Useful and needed items and articles, including those with sentimental value will be kept in the spaces assigned to them. Things which should not be in a garage are stored in the house.

4. Store items properly in their respective spaces; arrange by sizes and shapes. The items needed often occupied the nearest space while those off-season articles are placed farthest. Utilize garage walls for utility shelves, peg heads and hooks. Hang bicycles on walls and sports gears on peg heads and hooks or from the ceiling. You can order these organizers online.

When your garage looks neat and tidy, you have to maintain it; do not let your labor go to waste. Always return things used in their proper places. Avoid placing new stuff in vacant spaces. Schedule a yearly garage clean-up so you save time and money. You now know the way to have a declutter day for your garage.

To free declutter, consider these factors:

* If you live by yourself, you have to assume full responsibility of the task. But if you live with others, you have to get their full support and commitment to make a neat and tidy home. The stronger your resolution to do this, the more motivated they are in lending their support.

* You have to prepare a blueprint on how to do it. Develop a strategy to make the work systematic and efficient. Have all materials you need ready. If you need organizers and other materials, you can do your order online.

* Do not show weakness in selecting the objects you would choose to keep. It is not a good move to keep a broken object with the intention of having it repaired later; this will be among the main reasons that each of them is unwilling to give up an object too. If you haven’t used a particular article for a year, it means you don’t need it anymore.

* To make a thorough job, clean up one room at a time. You can place objects in the center which will be sorted out: to keep, to donate/give away or to discard.

* Declutter bookcases. Get rid of some books; if they are worth something, you can sell through eBay or Craigslist; if they are good reading, you can donate or give away; and if they are your favorite and cannot afford to discard, keep them in a good storage.

* Eliminate the many wires for your appliances; use wireless.

There are more tips and guidelines on how to live a decluttered life. But to free declutter, these guidelines are more than enough to see you through.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Keep a journal or written record of your thoughts and feelings. Describing the way you feel and your thoughts about them can be very therapeutic.

2. Face each problem as they appear. Just like in the game of tennis, you hit the ball as it comes. Upon facing a problem, you are not expected to find an instant solution. You should take some time to gather your thoughts and reflect on your ideas. Do not put off solving a problem indefinitely, it might lead to greater ones.

3. Getting in conflict with others is a natural happening, never bear grudges. Take away the idea of revenge. Learn to forgive for life is too short to deal with bitterness.

4. Think positive, associate only with positive people and you will magnetize all positive energies towards your direction. Be happy and feel happy. Let your ideas dwell on the beautiful and happy things in life.

5. Be a more organized person. Free your ideas from clutters and express it outwardly. Keep your life and home neat and tidy. An uncluttered home is the place of uncluttered ideas. Prioritize your responsibilities; plan ahead and prepare a schedule. Have the courage to face the unexpected.

6. Keep your commitments. Do not accept responsibilities just to please others. Learn to say no. Do not accept what you cannot handle.

7. When you ask for help, it is not a sign of weakness. You give your trust and confidence in others. Share the good and the bad times. Talk things over with others and solicit their ideas.

8. Learn to take a break. Pause take a deep a breathe and relax. It is advisable to have a 15-20 minutes recess in between your work. When you rest you are replenishing your energy, clearing your mind and enriching your ideas.

Decluttering your ideas is easily done if you follow these guidelines.

Here are steps to do this:

1. Look at your kitchen and all the items all over. Ask yourself, do I really need this item? Which ones do I use all the time? The items of prime importance are placed in the area within your arm’s reach and given the best location.

2. Duplicate items can be donated or given away. Broken or chipped articles have to go. Your expensive wedding gifts of glasses/dishes can be kept in long term storage until needed. Grandma’s authentic chinaware must also be stored. Get rid of all the excess.

3. Check up on your cabinets periodically; eliminate the extra items and replace the worn out or damaged ones. For every new article you buy, get rid of one old item.

4. Since the kitchen counter is the most visible portion, clean it well. Take away all items; place them in a box or tray. After the counter is thoroughly sanitized, return only the items that you are using daily, toaster, coffee maker, and crocks of utensils. If you have adequate space, you can display exquisite items. Decorations on your walls must be moderate.

5. Important papers are placed inside folders; throw out the useless ones.

6. Fridge door must not be scaled down with magnets. Retain a few on one side. Place kid’s art work inside an envelope for safekeeping. Pin on the fridge only the most important papers than need your attention. You need a calendar for appointments and important reminders.

Once you are able to make your kitchen neat and tidy, you will be able to create even more yummy and mouth-watering foods for the joy of your family. This will be your reward for decluttering your kitchen.

An uncluttered environment is always neat and organized. Most clutters are hard to get rid of because they have emotional connection with the clutterer. Organizing paperwork at home or at the office is a tedious process. Your first step is to stand resolved in your desire to declutter this mess.

Tips on how to uncluttered paperwork:

1. Take note of all the papers you have on hand. They consist of utility bills, mail, invitations, email printouts, leaflets, flyers, and whatever are there.

2. You must have a filing system for filing your bills, important documents and household papers.

3. Sort out bills and receipts according to dates and categories. Place them in separate folders which are properly labeled for easy identification. Do the same with other important papers.

4. In your office files arrange the folders alphabetically according to subject.

5. Sort all papers and file according to categories.

6. Gather all loose papers around the house, leaflet, coupon, receipt and place them inside a shoe box. Those that will not be needed will be disposed off one day.

7. Keep a record of your friends’ addresses in index cards for fast retrieval. This will be constantly updated for changes. You can also keep a file of invitations and cards to be reminded of special events.

8. Be sure that important papers such as mortgage files, tax receipts, investment records, stock certificates and others are placed in separate folders and safely stored.

9. Keep the papers needing your immediate attention inside a folder and placed on top of office desk.
The next day, when you do go back to work, decluttering paperwork gives your desk a spic and span appearance. This gives you a good start to your day.

1. Start decluttering your desk. Gather all the papers and sort them out. The out-dated, irrelevant and meaningless ones are to be discarded. Arrange the important papers and set aside for safe-keeping. Leave flat surface of your desk clear for doing your work.

2. Check your file. Use a system in organizing you folders for easy access. Then place the important papers you have set aside in their corresponding folder. Get rid of papers and folders that are no longer of use.

3. Learn to declutter information. There is so much information available as mail, newspapers, magazines, television, radio, internet and others. It is better reduce the amount of information by choosing only the most reliable ones.

4. Purge your computer files. Declutter your desktop. No work can be done efficiently if your desktop is a mess. Delete files that are no longer useful. It is advisable to do this at least once every two months.

5. Organize your closet and drawers by taking out all its content. Clean each area thorough; then sort out articles. Determine the ones that you still need and store them properly. Donate those items that are no longer useful for you.

6. Give attention to each room in the house. They have to be cleaned, and their content must have to be sorted out and organize properly. Special attention is devoted to the furniture.

7. Keep your personal commitment by prioritizing your duties and what you have to do. As an individual, you are committed at home, in civic and religious communities. Just to please someone, do not promise what you do not intend to fulfill. Learn to say no. With your commitments cluttered, you might fail in accomplishing even one of them.

8. Create a method to follow faithfully your routine, daily and weekly schedules. Develop a simple system.

These are simple ways that help in decluttering your life.

First thing to do is to have a tidy office layout. Is there ample space between desks? Are desks or cubicles arranged in an orderly manner? Are the colors complimentary to each other? Is the furniture professional looking and clean? Is office equipment in the proper place? Is there a lounge or coffee corner with enough shelves for cups and other utensils?

Desks or cubicles must have the same height else they will not look good. Oversized desks will make your office look cramped and small. Office color schemes must be pleasant to the eyes. Earth tones are the best colors to have on walls and furniture. They will make your office look professional.

Filing cabinets can be lined up on the sides of the office floor especially if they are accessed by a several people. Shelves with referral books or logs can also be placed neatly on the sides. People who need to retrieve from the common filing cabinets and shelves should be sitting near so that they can move about without disturbing other people.

The copier, fax machine or even computer servers should be placed in their own space. This avoids wires, cables and papers to be seen. Also when maintenance is being made on this equipment, they will be hidden and will not get into the way of people.

Individual desks are areas that may be cluttered and not organized. The desk owner should see to it that documents and folders are placed neatly and labeled. Those folders or manila envelopes that are no longer needed should be stored in filing cabinets or inside a desk drawer.

Stacking trays are good organizational solutions. They save space and make the desk top appear neat. Pen and clip holders are also needed so that these items do no clutter the desk top. Desk owners should pay attention to what they place inside. They should keep this area tidy as well.

The company can have a “clear desk” policy which means that there should be no documents or any other item on top of the desk after office hours. This policy is now being followed by big companies not only for organizational purposes but also for security reasons. Confidential documents should be kept in a safe and secure place. The policy will remind employees to keep everything before going home.
The next step after de-cluttering the office is to maintain tidiness at all times. A good housekeeping and “clear desk” policy will surely help in the upkeep of your office.