Using the vertical space in your home is one way to keep things in order. You may be able to install a corner cabinet or some extra shelving around the house to get things spread out a little better. Have you ever looked at perfectly decorated homes in magazines and thought, “Well, there just must not be any people living there.”? The truth is that people that live in these immaculate homes do own books, software, office supplies, school supplies, laundry, photos, and more, just like you. So where are they hiding it?

That’s actually the answer, right there! They’re hiding it in secret storage bins that are disguised as little trinkets or decorations around their home. Did you notice the decorative trunk by the front door? It may be full of shoes or newspapers waiting to be taken out with the recycling. Decorative boxes are great for storing items that you use around your home. They can be used as book ends, placed on end tables, sit on the mantle, or just be sitting in the window sill. You could have all kinds of craft supplies, pens, tape, magazines, throw blankets, and more sitting all over the living room and no one would ever know it.

Another way to keep clutter away from your living areas is to utilize storage space in your closets. I know what you’re thinking. Most people have a closet that is already full to the hilt with their clothes, shoes, luggage, and linens. However, using this same technique of hiding and thinking “vertical space”, you can double or triple the space in your closet in no time. Just putting in a few shelves that reach high in the closet can give you room to store all of those little extra things that do not have a good place to go.

You can use flat hangers that fit closely together on the bar to make a little more room than you had before. There are space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, that keep your clothes flat and wrinkle free while creating space that you didn’t know you had before. You can cascade hangers and utilize hangers that hold multiple skirts or several pairs of pants to make even more room. Get a little creative and you’ll have that magazine home in no time!

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Rule number one of keeping a clutter-free home is to always practice “in with the new, out with the old”. If you buy something new, then you must get rid of something old. We are a society that purchases a lot of things. If we’re constantly bringing in a cup, a shirt, a gadget, a trophy, or even bulk food items, then we are constantly reducing our storage space. Getting rid of something old every time you bring in something new, ensures that you are not in a constant state of storage space emergency.

2) Getting rid of things that we no longer use is also essential. Periodically go through your drawers and closets to see what your family has outgrown or simply quit using. Donate these items to charity, take them to a consignment shop, have a yard sale, or put them up for auction online. Do something to keep your belongings in check.

3) Coats and shoes are common clutter items. These items are generally expensive and we are reluctant to get rid of them when the time comes. Scuffs, gouges, scrapes, dirt and more can make a pair of shoes unattractive to us. Even though we don’t wear them anymore, we try to hold onto them because they are still “good”. Coats are the same way. You may have several coats that are appropriate for different occasions and different weather. Try to get these items narrowed down so that you don’t have so many bulky items cramming your closets full.

Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to get you clothes in the closet under control in a small amount of space. Using the hanger piggy-back method can double your available space, leaving yourself room to make special places for the problem items in your home.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Clear out what you are never going to use or wear again. You may have more in your closet than you realize. Scuffed shoes, out of style jeans, even old camera chargers or birthday cards. Get rid of whatever you can bear to part with. Ask yourself what really is important here. If you have a lot of sentimental clothing, take pictures of it, or cut it up and use the scraps to make a memory pillow or blanket. Have a garage sale or give clothes to charity. You will feel like a giant weight has been lifted when you thin out the amount of stuff that you keep in your closet.

2) Clean the closet. This area of the house can go years without being dusted or vacuumed. It can be the sneaky source of mold, mildew and allergens. Clean your closet really well before putting anything back inside. Baseboards, carpet, hanging rails and shelves should be dusted and thoroughly cleaned. This will also ensure that you do not leave anything in the closet that should come out.

3) Replace old hangers with matching slimline hangers. These space saving hangers will make a huge difference in your closet. Use cascading hooks to create double the space on your hanging bar. You can quickly identify outfits when you are in a hurry. You can save space while preventing wrinkled clothing. These space saving hangers have an ultra-thin design, but they are very sturdy. They have a velvety finish that keeps clothing from slipping off on to the floor. Hang up only what you wear now, in this season.

4) Store out of season items. Not only should your opposite season wardrobe be stored, but you should also store clothes that you hope to fit back into someday. Some people have as many as four wardrobes stuffed into one closet! That is four wardrobes for each season, plus they may have a spouse with the same problem. There is no way that a conventional closet can hold all of that stuff. Some people get rid of smaller clothing, vowing that if they lose the weight, that they will deserve new, more modern clothes. Or, create a container that stores each size of clothing that you own. Store it in a spare bedroom, basement or garage until you need it.

Getting the junk out and organizing what you actually wear can make a huge difference in your closet. Using space saving hangers can make your closet a dream to look into and use.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for slimlinehangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Use the wall space that you have available. Blank wall space can be used to help you get things under control. You can use shelving, TV brackets, mount speakers and more to free up some space.

2) Add shelves up high for things that you don’t need to use all the time. Higher shelves are easy and inexpensive to hang. Display pictures, collections, decorations and other seldom used items up higher where you don’t need to reach them very often.

3) Add shelving down lower for items that are used often. Simple triangle corner shelves take up such little space, but make great places to put books, remote controls, children’s toys, mail baskets and more. You can display your magazines, movies, music or just have a place to put the kids’ art supplies.

4) Utilize an organizer for the foyer or front entryway. You need somewhere to stash your mail, trash, newspaper, cell phones, and keys as soon as you walk in the door. If this is where it goes, this is where it will stay. Don’t let it all make its way to your kitchen counter! Use a small table, preferably with a couple of drawers and cabinets underneath. Mail can go in one drawer, while keys and wallets go in the other. Use a charging caddy for all of your electronic needs. Phones, cameras, MP3s and more can neatly charge by the front door where you can grab them and go. Place a small waste basket or shredder underneath in the cabinet. Here you can stack magazines, store newspaper for recycling, whatever you need.

5) Make a place for the larger items that come into and leave your house every day. For example, coats, shoes, backpacks, brief cases, purses, umbrellas, you name it. No wonder our foyers, living rooms and kitchen counters take the brunt of it! All of the stuff that your family brings in at the end of the day needs to have a convenient place to go. If it’s not easy to use, you won’t use it. So, invest a little in some closet shelving for your coat closet and get it organized. Big hooks for backpacks, small shelves for purses and brief cases, racks for shoes, and containers for extras, like keys or change. Use space saving hangers, or slim line hangers, to create even more space in your coat closet.

Once everything has a place, it will most likely stay in its place. If it doesn’t, cleaning it up won’t be such a daunting task.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for slimlinehangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

Lots of people like to buy extras of certain things so that they have them when they need them. While it is a good idea to be prepared, don’t fail to plan where you are going to put all of these extras. If you don’t have space for it, chances are it’ll end up in a heap or crammed in a closet. Inevitably, you won’t be able to find it when you need it and you will end up spending more money to buy another. This is a common problem in many homes.

A lack of storage space does not have to mean a lack of storage. Orderly cabinets, desks and closets take a little work, but you are capable of doing it yourself. First you have to get rid of whatever you do not use, even if it is new. Some people have office supplies ready to go for years and years without touching them. If you really think that you won’t use them, give them away to friends and family, or donate them to a local school, day care or non-profit organization.

Use big boxes to separate items into trash, give-aways, yard sale items and items to keep. Once you have cleared the space, make stacks or piles of things you are keeping to determine what categories you have to organize. For a desk, you may have office supplies, bills, letters, things to do, computer cords, battery chargers, CD’s and DVD’s, upcoming events, photos, books, software, printer paper and ink. That’s a lot of stuff to not have organized! Labeled containers that match or shelves dedicated to certain items can help you quickly find what you need and avoid the dreaded piles that are so common on people’s desks.

Take your boxes to the next area to be organized, the closet. Again, pull out everything. Quickly decide what can be thrown away, given away or sold. Fill your boxes until your closet is empty. Place your items that will stay on the bed. This will give you a big area to work with. Go through the items you are keeping and categorize. Large storage containers or moveable garment racks are a must for storing out of season clothing.

With what’s left, you can create the most space by hanging it according to length. You may choose to separate by use; work clothes, casual clothes, etc. Whichever you do, you will need to replace mix-matched hangers with space saving hangers. Cascading hooks or piggy backing attachments can turn ordinary hangers into specialty hangers, creating up to fifty percent more space. The best space saving hangers are called slim line hangers. Their thin design is accompanied by superior strength and a velvety surface that won’t let clothes slip off on to the floor. Getting your home in order will help you maximize space and get your life organized.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for slimlinehangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Clear out what you are never going to use or wear again. You may have more in your closet than you realize. Scuffed shoes, out of style jeans, even old camera chargers or birthday cards. Get rid of whatever you can bear to part with. Ask yourself what really is important here. If you have a lot of sentimental clothing, take pictures of it, or cut it up and use the scraps to make a memory pillow or blanket. Have a garage sale or give clothes to charity. You will feel like a giant weight has been lifted when you thin out the amount of stuff that you keep in your closet.

2) Clean the closet. This area of the house can go years without being dusted or vacuumed. It can be the sneaky source of mold, mildew and allergens. Clean your closet really well before putting anything back inside. Baseboards, carpet, hanging rails and shelves should be dusted and thoroughly cleaned. This will also ensure that you do not leave anything in the closet that should come out.

3) Replace old hangers with matching slimline hangers. These space saving hangers will make a huge difference in your closet. Use cascading hooks to create double the space on your hanging bar. You can quickly identify outfits when you are in a hurry. You can save space while preventing wrinkled clothing. These space saving hangers have an ultra-thin design, but they are very sturdy. They have a velvety finish that keeps clothing from slipping off on to the floor. Hang up only what you wear now, in this season.

4) Store out of season items. Not only should your opposite season wardrobe be stored, but you should also store clothes that you hope to fit back into someday. Some people have as many as four wardrobes stuffed into one closet! That is four wardrobes for each season, plus they may have a spouse with the same problem. There is no way that a conventional closet can hold all of that stuff. Some people get rid of smaller clothing, vowing that if they lose the weight, that they will deserve new, more modern clothes. Or, create a container that stores each size of clothing that you own. Store it in a spare bedroom, basement or garage until you need it.

Getting the junk out and organizing what you actually wear can make a huge difference in your closet. Using space saving hangers can make your closet a dream to look into and use.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for slimlinehangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.