76 Organizing Tips for the Tidiest Home Ever

They don't call it the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up for nothing. Whether you're all in on the Marie Kondo craze or simply need some mess-clearing solutions before guests arrive, follow these expert-approved organizing tips to tackle clutter in every part of your home. There are hacks for spaces of varying shapes and sizes: the most-visited rooms (bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens), popular nooks and crannies (drawers, closets, and kitchen cabinets), and places that become the catch-all for, well, everything (desks, dresses, and shelves). The choice is yours: Declutter your entire home or pick a few organizing methods to take control of your home one small step at a time. As a result, you might even free up some extra space ... which isn't an excuse to fill it with more stuff, just sayin'.

Stick adhesive pockets to the inside of your spice cabinet to keep all of your grocery lists, coupons, and recipes in one spot. Add a pen loop, so you don't have to go searching to jot something down.

SHOP ADHESIVE POCKETS

Shelf risers give you double the space for storage. Keep short jars underneath and taller sprays and bottles up top so you can easily spritz and go.

They're not just for bathrooms. An over-the-door hanger creates out-of-sight storage space for extra tablecloths, throws, or towels.

SHOP TOWEL RACKS

Though it's easy to think "out of sight, out of mind," a messy desk drawer does not help your productivity. Mix and match acrylic dividers so your pens, pencils, and paper clips all have a spot to live.

Get the tutorial at Simply Organized »

Folding towels (or even t-shirts!) upright allows you to see everything you own in a single glance. Color code from light to dark for added organization.

Get the tutorial at The Neat Method »

Find your canned veggies, beans, and soups in a flash with a tiered shelf. You'll know when you're running low on staples if you're able to see everything at once.

SHOP TIERED SHELVES

Manilla file folders have nothing on this pristine color-coded set. Finding important papers barely requires reading labels — just a glance toward the right color to find exactly what you need fast.

Get the tutorial at A Bowl Full of Lemons »

Kids need to understand that storage is finite, and that continuing to collect eventually leads to clutter and chaos. When they get a new toy or new jeans, send an old one to the donation bin.

Instead of taking up valuable cabinet space with these clunky items, use Command Hooks to hang them on an unused wall, like this pro organizer did. Start by hanging the biggest items first, then incorporate the medium-sized ones and finish with the smallest items.

SHOP COMMAND HOOKS

Reusing some old dishes as organizers can help you finally tame that junk drawer. Place a non-slip mat underneath to keep them from shifting when you open and close the drawer.

It looks cute (so you won't seeing it every day), and puts towels, measuring spoons, mugs or whatever else you like within easy reach.

Corral hot tools (once they've cooled!) on a vanity with a decorative magazine holder.

SHOP MAGAZINE HOLDERS

If your kitchen lacks storage, your counter will feel the brunt of the problem. So choose pretty containers (and not a lineup of grocery store boxes) when you have to devote visible space to food.

Plastic shower pockets hold everything a mom could possibly need on a road trip (or, heck, a supermarket run) with kids.

Get the tutorial at The Castro Family Happynings »

A simple rotating caddy means that you'll never be caught standing over a hot stove without spoons within easy reach.

SHOP LAZY SUSANS

Affix small bins with adhesive strips on cabinet doors to create a home for hot tools, brushes, and hair ties. A magnetic strip keeps bobby pins, nail clippers, and tweezers from getting lost.

SHOP CABINET ORGANIZERS

First, add a second tension-mounted shower curtain rod to your shower, close to the wall. Then, use hanging clips (such as "C" clip curtain rings) to hold toiletries.

Get the tutorial at Muji »

Power cords can clutter up precious counter space. Keep them under control by adding a stick-on cord keeper.

SHOP CORD KEEPERS

Get the tutorial at Dreaming In DIY »

"When your little ones play with Legos, figurines, or other multi-piece toys, start by laying out a large blanket or bed sheet first," suggest Joy Cho, founder of Oh Joy!. That way, when it's time to clean up, you can bring the ends of the blanket together and quickly dump the toys back into their storage bucket.

A yoga mat is one of those things that doesn't take up too much space yet can be awkward to store. The best bet is to hang them on the wall, like this brilliant idea that places the yoga mat in a shelf bracket.

Get the tutorial at I Heart Organizing »

Storing undies in cute compartments helps you instantly see every pair you own.

By organizing your shoes from heel to toe, you can maximize space (a.k.a. room for more shoes!), giving you a quick survey of color, toe style, and heel height to help speed up getting dressed.

Instead of scooping Fido's kibble from a precariously floppy bag, minimize the chance of a big spill by pouring the food into a studier, wide-mouthed bin. This one's a spray-painted popcorn canister leftover from the holidays.

Get the tutorial at Tidy Mom »

A utility space is perfect for hanging sturdy racks overhead. Try this trick for storing seasonal items you don't always need to access quickly.

Get the tutorial at A Bowl Full of Lemons »

Hooked together with a can tab, two hangers eat up way less closet space.

Get the tutorial at The Shabby Creek Cottage »

Make better use of your shed's doors by hanging everything from spades to the garden hose with a towel bar.

Get the tutorial at The Cavender Diary »

It seems counterintuitive to your battle against clutter to create a place where you leave piles of stuff. Designating a spot for everyday items is the stopgap that prevents your entire home from filling with unnecessary clutter.

A few coils of pipe cleaner mean strappy tanks and slippery silk blouses won't wind up on the floor as you flip through them.

Get the tutorial at In My Own Style »

Since it's often too easy to just throw things anywhere, flip the script and make it harder to cause a pile-up. "Place a plant, a figurine, or a framed photo on your side tables, or add a table runner or centerpiece to a dining room table," says professional organizer Maeve Richmond.

Fashion an instant garment bag by cutting a slit in the closed end of the case, and slipping a hanger through.

Get the tutorial at Bumblebee Linens »

Spelled out in front of your face, these organization hints are hard to ignore, even for the most clutter-blind members of your family.

See more at I Heart Organizing »

A to-go coffee cup (an unused one, please) filled with tissues means you can get that cardboard box off the floor for good.

See more at Infarrantly Creative »

We've all had that moment when you open up the cabinet and all the reusable water bottles you've ever owned come tumbling that. Say "enough" and become a convert to this new way of storing them: inside a magazine holder.

See more at Driven By Decor »

Just a few hooks and one solid shelf are all you need to streamline a front door pileup. This blogger even sacrificed a closet to outfit her entryway with organizing tools, a change she finds more efficient and helpful.

Get the how-to at Tidbits »

Taking the extra time to be intentional with your decor and your supply choices can make a big difference, especially when you can't store not-so-decorative items in a cabinet. Choose stuff that coordinates for a collection that looks stylish and inherently tidy.

Read more at The DIY Mommy »

Instead of draping them across whatever's in your path (the back of a chair, a door knob, your bed post), corral scarves neatly together on just a single hanger. This also works perfectly for other accessories, like belts and handbags.

See more at Hip 2 Save »

This blogger's pantry transformation gets two things majorly right: First, clear canisters make it easy to see how much food you have. And second, a variety of stylish choices (including a chalkboard wall!) create a space that you actually want to spend time in — and keep tidy.

Get the tutorial at Polished Habitat »

Store smaller necessities, like a first aid kit, toiletries, and kids' favorite car activities in fabric bags that zip to hold everything in place.

See more at I Heart Organizing »

Stem the tide of soccer balls, basketballs, dodge balls and beach balls with bungee cords.

See more at Designed To Dwell »

Resistance bands offer an easy way to squeeze in a workout, but there's no real great way to store them. That is, until we saw this on-the-wall method. Now there's no excuse to put off your workout.

See more at A Bowl Full of Lemons »

This is one of those genius ideas we wish we thought of first. Here, metal toy cars find a new parking spot on a magnetic knife holder. Clever, right?

See more at Keeping Up With The Souths »

Colorful bins add a little more style to this purely functional space, while also cutting down the chaos that is filling a chest freezer. Now you'll be able to easily get to the frozen broccoli without having to dig through bags of frozen fries.

See more at Practically Functional »

If you can't resist a sale on gift wrap, you'll love this idea: Zip all those rolls into a hanging garment bag, then hang it up in your closet.

See more at The Chic Site »

You know those holders for containing plastic bags? They often just lead to hoarding more plastic bags. Instead, recycle those grocery bags, convert to reusable ones, and use the holder for gift wrap rolls.

See more at Interior Candy »

Get three levels of storage in your shower (without gross water pooling on shelves) by repurposing a tiered hanging basket for toiletries and bath toys.

See more at 8 Foot Six »

If you're particular about who uses washcloths in your home, ease your mind with the roll-and-file method. Tall shelf dividers help keep everything categorized.

See more at The Real Thing With The Coake Family »

Out-of-season shoes can be stashed safely out of sight with this novel idea. Just put them on a cabinet door that's been modified with sides and wheels, then add this idea to the list of the best IKEA hacks.

See more at IKEA »

Often, you can track a family member's daily routine by the articles of clothing in your home (and the weird places they end up). For instance, shoes are always littered in the entryway and first room of your home. Encourage better behavior by using coat hooks to hold pairs of shoes. It's one less thing to trip over at least.

See more at IKEA »

Lipsticks are tricky: They'll easily fall over when stored in a medicine cabinet, and they're small enough to get lost in a makeup organizer. A custom solution is in order, like this handy (and budget-friendly) box.

Get the how-to at Emily Denise Photography »

When stored on their sides, cans are stackable yet keep their labels in sight. Of course, you'll need to contain the sideways cans somehow — and these wire baskets are just the right thing for the job. Your organized pantry will thank you.

See more at Eleven Gables »

Think of this like a super huge medicine cabinet, but for accessories. Yes, you have to DIY it, but it's a great way to make use of wall space.

Get the how-to at A Beautiful Mess »

Really, every door in your house could use a rack like this. Here, one clever blogger uses the lightweight wire shelves for laundry and cleaning necessities.

See more at My Sweet Savannah »

It's not like storing nail polish is a huge hassle, but it is an inconvenience when you can't find your perfect shade. A spice rack doesn't take up much room, and the slim shelves are just right for the small bottles.

See more at Liz Marie Blog »

A hanging shelf system is the perfect size for paper towel rolls, giving you an easily accessible spot for your Costco haul.

See more at Sew Many Ways »

Who says clothespins are only for hanging things up to dry? They can keep your fabric accessories off the floor, too.

See more at Sally Ann K »

LEGO toys do wonders for your kid's imagination, but they really do get everywhere. Curb the mess (and spare your feet!) with this under-the-bed tray just for the building blocks.

See more at The Happy Housie »

Though the under-the-bed idea is great for blocks, the super-tiny parts (like figures, flowers, and teeny blocks) require a different solution to keep from getting lost.

See more at Childhood 101 »

This one's for your Type-A, Virgo child. Since scrapbook shelves are clear, it's easy for kids to find exactly the piece they need to complete their LEGO masterpiece.

See more at You Put It On »

Bath toys can be a challenge to store since they're wet 99% of the time. A mesh bag contains the problem while letting toys dry out (for once).

See more at Two Twenty One »

Don't overlook the side of a kitchen island (or even a bookshelf). Adding a basket takes all of three seconds, and gives you a handy spot for frequently accessed items.

See more at Golden Boys and Me »

Those teeny little envelopes instantly go missing in a pantry, so give them their own home inside a repurposed sponge caddy. Then, take a moment to reorganize your spices.

See more at Make Bake Celebrate »

Hey, why not? It'll free up space elsewhere, and make it a little easier to grab an onion when you're making dinner.

See more at Domestic Diva Domain »

Those cutlery organizers always leave awkward space in a drawer. But by using small bins (found at the dollar store), you can create a custom-sized storage solution that doesn't waste an inch.

See more at The Elm Life »

A wire bin placed on the back of your cabinet door creates a "pocket" for holding the many cutting boards that normally take up space on shelves. (Just make sure you're cleaning them the right way before putting them away.)

See more at That's What Che Said »

Perhaps you won't use this for your fanciest jewelry, but a humble ice tray keeps earrings neatly contained and together.

See more at Yesterday On Tuesday »

Free up room on your bookshelf by putting bulky board games in a hanging organizer.

See more at Joyful Homemaking »

It just makes sense, doesn't it? Now you're one step closer to making a fabulous batch of sugar cookies.

See more at Design Improvised »

If you don't have a tile backsplash, consider adding a skinny picture ledge above the sink. It's an ideal spot for stowing cutting boards, or you can add a few framed artworks for a decorative touch.

See more at The Homes I Have Made »

Turn a deep drawer into a convenient place to store root veggies, bread, and more by adding bins. The only question is: What will you do with the extra pantry space?

See more at I Heart Organizing »

These frequently-accessed kitchen helpers are always in reach when you pop them on hooks. Is there any problem that can't be solved with hooks?

See more at Two Twenty One »

Bathrooms always present an organizing challenge, just because the room has such limited space to begin with. You can squeeze a little more storage in by adding floating shelves in the corner near the toilet.

See more at The Order Obsessed »

Don't even have enough space in your bathroom for toilet-adjacent shelves? Install a few super-small shelves by the mirror for toiletries and makeup.

See more at Graceful Order »

Your fabric will stay neat while remaining visible, acting as a handy reminder to actually get to sewing up something fabulous. Keep an adorable pincushion nearby for extra crafting convenience.

See more at I Heart Organizing »

A wire file holder isn't just for keeping your office neat and tidy. It can neatly organize your fun handbags while helping them keep their shape.

See more at Fabulous Fashions 4 Sensible Style »

A must for those who really love scrapbooking, this tidy station keeps photos at arm's reach, no matter where you prefer to work. Photos are stacked by subject in clear plastic boxes, then filled in the ever-so-handy IKEA Raskog cart.

See more at A Bowl Full of Lemons »

If this list teaches you anything, it's that there can never be too many scarf organizing ideas. This DIY pull-out shelf is for those who are serious about their neckwear (and also saving space in one's closet).

Get the tutorial at View Along The Way »