Outfitting a closet with The Container Store Custom Closets or California Closets is a game changer (and in my opinion, totally worth the investment), but there is also a lot you can do with inexpensive organizers. I saw homeowners use over-the-door shoe organizers (not just for shoes, P.S.), storage drawers, and bins to great effect. Invest your time and money into planning how to use each inch of your closets, and you will be rewarded. And if you’re really short on closet space, you might consider buying an armoire to hide things away (IKEA’s Pax system is a popular choice.) Likewise, a big expanse of undivided space in a cabinet or closet is hard to keep tidy: Dividing those storage spots into smaller spaces will help you stay organized. For instance, in my living room, my son’s toy sword, a newspaper I’m not done reading, and my own Kindle are three things that don’t have a set place in my home. If I wanted to clean these items up, I’d have to make a decision about where to put each of them. The goal is to always know where every single item needs to be put away. This can be as simple as deciding: The Kindle lives on my bedside table or adding a tray to your coffee table for your current magazines and newspapers. Yes, you may need to use some Tetris-like maneuvers to fit things in. You may also have to decide between things like a toaster oven and a microwave, or a countertop blender and a food processor, but those compromises and creative solutions won’t get in the way of wonderful meals. I found that the key is in paring back, avoiding single-use appliances and tools, and culling the rarely-used gear to free up space. For even more small-space organizing ideas, check out the Little Book of Living Small.
