If your closet or drawers are cluttered, chaotic or disorganized, simplify them. Clutter leads to stress. It saps your mental energy and strips you of productivity. Eliminate unused clothing. Organize your space. Regain your sanity.

Shoe racks or shoe cubbies

Shoes scattered on the floor in the closet or the mud room can look cluttered, plus there's also a good chance that a shoe is going to be separated from its mate.
Get yourself a good shoe rack or shoe cubbies. I've never been a fan of the over-the-door shoe bags to store shoes --although they are wonderful for storing other items like office supplies, or Barbie doll accessories. For shoes, I find these clumsy, and not very sanitary.
Instead, I recommend shoe racks. When you look for a shoe rack, avoid those that are slightly slanted. Shoes without heels will not stay put on these types of racks. Look for flat racks that have a minimum of 2 shelves. Or, you may opt for shoe caddies that contain 9 to 12 squares to place your shoes (i.e. 3 squares horizontal by 3 squares vertical.)

Drawer organizers

Do you have a junk drawer? Is your hosiery and sock collection overtaking your bedroom dresser? Perhaps you have a desk drawer containing tons of office supplies?
A drawer organizer can help you keep everything organized, so that the items inside can be retrieved in an instant.
You don't have to be a carpenter to install a drawer organizer. Most are simple plastic organizers that can be slipped in a drawer, and used immediately--no tools needed.

If you don't like it, don't wear it

One word: simplify. If you have lots of clutter, there's no doubt you're feeling lots of stress. A cluttered, chaotic environment breeds stress and frustration. If you don't love it and/or you don't use it, it's clutter. Use this season to get rid of your clutter and lighten your load. As you do, you'll be reducing stress and feeling a sense of calm.

Put a Sock in It

Tired of your sock and/or hosiery drawer looking like a disorganized mess? Organize that drawer once and for all, with plastic baggies.

Simply put one pair of socks (or tights or pantyhose) into each plastic bag.

If you'd like, you can even stick a label on the outside of each bag which will help you easily distinguish black socks from blue socks, or casual socks from dress socks--without you having to remove the socks from the bag.

Then, just line up the baggies in your drawer, keeping all black socks together, all tights together, etc.

Outer-wear everywhere

Why do hats, gloves, scarves, coats and other outer-wear often get tossed on top of sofas or chairs? One of the main reasons is that there's no designated storage area for these items. You may say that the closet should serve this purpose, but can your closet effectively do the job?
First, be sure your coat closet isn't stuffed to the max. When a closet is stuffed, one may find it easier to just toss his coat or jacket over a chair. Go through all the outer-wear and be sure everything you have is worn regularly. If it isn't, it may be time to donate that item to someone who can get better use of it.
Have enough hangers in the closet--one hanger per item. It's not efficient or effective to hang a jacket over another jacket, due to lack of hangers. While you're at it, be sure the hangers are the durable ones. Weak wire hangers or thin plastic hangers are ineffective.

Install hooks or pegs along the closet wall, or another wall if you're pressed for closet space, for items like hats, scarves, backpacks, dog leashes and umbrellas.
Place small items, like mittens or gloves, in clear, plastic bags. Then, label each bag with a family member name and hang it on a hanger--one bag per family member.
Once you organize the coat closet, the only thing left will be making sure everyone knows about the new systems you've devised, understands them and adheres to them.

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by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com FREE Get Organized Now! Idea-Pak and E-zine, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now! Web site.