While most people do not think of the bathroom first when discussing organization, it is often one of the more cluttered areas of the house. Cleaning items, linens, bathroom tissue, and personal hygiene products need to be stored in a logical and sensible manner, with attention paid to what should be tossed. When storing cleaning products, be sure to recognize the age level of any children in the house, and store these items in an area where young children, babies, and toddlers cannot access them. Similarly, do not leave these items where pets can reach them to prevent illness or death.

Use organizers such as shelving to store linens, and keep each type of linen separate. For example, place bath towels and beach towels on one shelf, hand towels and washcloths on another shelf. Stack each type of linen with similar items to avoid confusion. It is not necessary to coordinate colors when storing linens, but some people find it soothing to separate colors.

Top shelves can be used to store cleaning items in a safe manner away from children and pets. Four shelves are often adequate for most guest bathrooms, and five or six are handy in master bathrooms in order to ensure adequate storage for linens and personal products. Personal products can also be stored under the sink/vanity in most bathrooms, but be sure to lock the doors with child-proof locks or kits to safely keep pets and children away from harmful products.

Finally, use shower caddies to store items that are needed in the shower. Hooks can be hung for shower caps, brushes, and loofahs. Caddies are very handy for keeping shampoos, conditioners, soap/body wash, razors, shave gel, and similar personal articles. Most have slots for several items, with special places for storing razors. Some also have a dish included for those who prefer bar soap over body wash.

It is important to make the most out of closet space. Many homes have adequate closet space to begin, but as families expand and obtain new items, they quickly become cluttered often to the point of overflowing into the attic, garage, basement, other closets, under beds, and other places. To avoid this, there are two methods of storing the things that need to be kept in an organized manner:

1. Organizers such as shoe racks, purse holders, and dividers can make storing things easy and maintainable. Keep like items together, and pair shoes. Any shoe that does not have a mate should be discarded. Store clothing, purses, and accessories as needed, keeping seasonable items stored elsewhere when not in use. For example, during the summertime keep sandals, flip flops, and tennis shoes (with any needed dress shoes) on the shoe rack. Store the snow boots elsewhere until the wintertime. On the other hand, during the wintertime sweaters, coats, and scarfs will take precedence over tank tops, sundresses, and swimsuits, so keep these things in a Rubbermaid or similar storage box under the bed, in the attic or basement, or at the top of the closet.

2. Get rid of what is not needed. As items are outdated, outgrown, unnecessary, or not wanted, discard them. Donate them to charity if they are salvageable. Recycle them if they are recyclable. If they are destroyed or unusable, bag them or box them up and set them out with the trash. Research other options that apply to any given area, as some sanitation workers will not pick up items set next to or on top of the trash can and others will not take boxes at all. Note: as children move out, give them the things that belong to them. Parents enjoy keeping some things for sentimental reasons, but most items are just clutter.

Many homes, and especially apartments, have limited cupboard space at best. Things that do not fit into the cupboards overflow into closets, pantries, and utility rooms. Organizing the cupboard will help maximize the space available, and may even appear to increase potential storage areas. There are a wide variety of ways to keep cupboard space organized, but here are a few of the simplest:

* Use lazy-Susan type storage containers to make storing and finding stored items easy. These are especially handy for storing lids, small plastic bowls, and similar items.

* Keep like items together. Plates, bowls, cups, serving bowls, and similar items should be kept together and stacked according to size or shape, with the largest on the bottom and smallest on the top.

* Store only what is actually used. It makes no sense to take up valuable space by storing items that are no longer used or needed. Donate these items to charity, sell them online or in a yard sale, or give them to a young couple that is just starting out. If the item is not usable or broken, put it in the trash.

* If an item does not belong in the kitchen cupboard, move it. Put it in its proper place. Do not allow items from every room to congregate and clutter the cabinet.

These tips will help organize the cupboards and may even free up whole cabinets. As dishes are used, washed, dried, and put away, make sure that each item is put into its proper place so that the cabinets stay organized. One may be surprised at what is found in, around, or under cupboards.

"So many good ideas!"

Hi Greg,

I just received The Definitive Guide to Home Organization for Busy People!" and until now, never thought about the simple things I could be doing. You have so many good ideas, and I've already easily taken advantage of most of them. For example, I've been able to focus and take everything one step at a time, which helped me clear a great mess that seemed so overwhelming before I learned your strategies.

Thank you.

Matthew J. Zuchowski, Utsunomiya, Japan