The Mistake: Keeping Counters Too Clear Once you've cleared off what does not belong on the kitchen counter, don't forget to leave room for items you use every day. If you create daily smoothies, create a place for your own blender. It's easier to maintain the surfaces clean and organized if you have what you need at hand and that which has a designated place. Layout by Gina Samarotto
The Mistake: A Full Refrigerator "A big, messy focal point is a fridge tacked with magnets and notes and reminders and letters and photos and wedding invitations and art projects and shopping lists," says professional organizer Jeni Aron. "Rather, keep 1 clipboard in your kitchen wall with all the reminders and lists you want. After the clipboard is full, that is your maximum amount of papers you are able to keep."
The Mistake: Utilizing the Fridge as a Message Center Still another reason to bypass the note-filled refrigerator? No one will read it! "You believe everyone will see it, but really no one does. They're just going for a drink," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. "Households require a place where people go for messages or mail or consent slips. . .an place where everybody knows things are kept." An integrated strand board, such as this one designed by Nar Bustamante, is the best solution.
The Mistake: Disorganized Kitchen Shelving Glass-front closets or open shelving may look messy if dishes are stacked at random. "The alternative? Insert contact or cloth paper within the glass cabinets. A better alternative: Setting up a way to keep dishes organized," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello.
The Mistake: Stuffing Kitchen Cabinets Getting organized means making good decisions about what to keep and what to let go of, starting on the inside of the cabinets," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. Take out everything and take inventory. If you're not using it, then let it all go. Picture courtesy Mullet Cabinetry
The Mistake: A Non-Functional Entryway An entryway offers a home's first impression, but it is often covered with coats, backbacks, shoes and more. The solution? "Rearrange the coat closet from the entryway where children can hang things," offers professional organizer Alejandra Costello. "Or put a basket by the door to toss shoes indoors. When the shoes can just make it inside, it may make a massive impact." Design by Traci Zeller
The Mistake: Skipping By-the-Door Paper Storage Give all a House, even the mail. "Even stacks of mail require a place to reside. Locate a crate, box or doorway or wall pockets where you could place the email when you get home. Then later once you have 10 minutes, type it out," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello. Design by Toni Hammersley
The Mistake: Choosing Closet Form Over Daily Function all of us dream of a chic walk-in closet, but think of what you really use prior to committing tons of space to baubles and high heels. "Things you wear on a regular basis have to be accessible," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. "Should you go running regular, these shoes ought to be in the front," she says. Wear boots to work? Keep those out and keep away heels. Getting realistic about your real-life closet needs makes it easier to keep the room neat. Image courtesy Rakku Designs
The Mistake: Out-of-Order Containers Throwing your material in a box or drawer doesn't make it organized. "Every drawer, cabinet and shelf is a container, however consider taking it a step farther by utilizing extra containers within those storage areas to organize your things even more. Use bins, baskets, cups, tin cans, stackable bins and dividers to help keep your items better contained and visually attractive," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. Photo courtesy of California Closets
The Mistake: Stocking On Storage Bins Professional organizer Nancy Heller's best pet peeve? Too many storage bins! "They do not use the space efficiently, so they wind up sitting at the corner, collecting dust," she says. Instead, search your house for containers you presently have. "Use salad bowls. . .put dog's toys in a single, a few Tupperware in another. Place shoeboxes in your drawers and clean up the shoeboxes when you have a chance." Bonus: You'll save money, too! Style by Junk Gypsies
The Mistake: Shopping First, Organizing Second "The biggest mistake I see is that people think buying a lot of coordinating products will solve their jumble nightmares, but it generally only adds to the frustration," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. "Instead, you have to edit your material first, then decide on products to assist you organize what is left." That way, you're buy only what you need.
The Mistake: Skipping Labels "Bins are fine, but they will need to be space-efficient, properly labeled and specific," says professional organizer Nancy Heller. "Leave a little additional space, but do not throw a mismatched glove on the market since there's room. A label will help you stop and say, 'oh, this doesn't go here'" Layout by Cas Aarsen
The Mistake: Too Many Family Photos "Knick knacks and image frames may be dreadful types of mess. I adore my family, frankly, I do, but I've a total of just two miniature framed photos of these in my home," says professional organizer Jeni Aron. "Picture frames and small doo-dads and figurines accumulate dust, they seem outdated and they do not add to some style management or decor in your home. If you want to do a gallery wall of all same-sized prints with easy frames leading up a stairway or a artfully hung collection over an entryway console, then do it." Design by Andreas Charalambous
The Mistake: Too Many Toys "For families with kids, many fall victim to every room becoming a toy room and the whole home becoming toy-centric," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. "You would be amazed at how much cleaner your home will look should you restrict the toys you have, and maintain them in just 1-2 areas in your property." Style by Brian Patrick Flynn
The Mistake: Not Corralling Cords "This bothers me like crazy," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello. "Wires on the walls or flooring are a complete eyesore. Create your own financing with black foam board, or whatever you have. Or, really detangle the wires and use a cord organizer to line them round the furniture" Boom: A neat entertainment center, desk or nightstand. Layout by Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott
The Mistake: Scattered Collections When styling bookshelves, small pieces look more striking (and less cluttered) when grouped with like products. "Collections of vases reveal what you love, versus having one on the coffee table and 2 towards the table. It does not look cohesive," says professional organizer Nancy Heller. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
The Mistake: Displaying Every Book You Own "Do not put paperbacks or the ones who got wet on vacation out. In case you have a good assortment of books, you do not have to display paperbacks. You've got to have the ability to let go," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. Style by Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil
The Mistake: Packed Bookshelves Displaying only books you love leaves breathing space and room to decorative accessories. "I always go for balance. I'm fond of telling people as soon as your bookshelf is 80 percent full, it is really complete," says professional organizer Nancy Heller. Layout by Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil
The Mistake: Letting Laundry Linger When the laundry room is downstairs, heaps of un-folded clothing can accumulate. "It's all about just doing it immediately," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello. "Don't do laundry unless you've got enough time to finish it. When you're ready to fold it, take it out of the dryer and put it away right then." Layout by Toni Hammersley
The Mistake: Packed-Full Rooms "Too many chairs, sofas, tables and decorative items can quickly make a room look cluttered and texture closed-in," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. "Selecting only a couple of bits can open up a room and make it feel more relaxing and peaceful." Design by Laura Umansky
The Mistake: Messy Under-Bed Boxes Under-bed storage is a fantastic space-saver, but vulnerable bins and boxes may earn a bedroom look messy. The fix? "Add a bedskirt, or produce the stuff about the borders of the mattress seem more comprised or coordinated," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello. Or, decide on a bed with built-in under-bed storage like blogger Erin Hiemstra did here.
The Mistake: Getting Used to Clutter "Clutter actually becomes invisible," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. "When things are in piles, they become just like background. Things get dumped and they get ignored." Devote a few minutes a day to ditching the piles one by one -- you'll be amazed just how much different your distance will feel. Layout by Debbie Talianko
The Mistake: Too Much Stuff "People love staying in hotels because it is such an escape. You can have that in your house, you merely have to have less stuff," says professional organizer Kendra Stanley. Design by Design Development
The Mistake: Stuffing Small Spaces "Be realistic about the distance you've got and how you utilize it," says professional organizer Nancy Heller. "If you're in a small residence, you really have to be realistic about how much you can get there without it being overwhelming and cluttered." Elect for concealed storage under the bed or stairs, but understand when to minimize your stuff, also. Image courtesy Matroshka Furniture
The Mistake: Becoming Spontaneous in regards to business, predictability rules. "I am a firm think of putting things in precisely the same place all the time," says professional organizer Kendra Stanley. "My checkbook is in the same place. My wallet's at precisely the same place. Flashlights, tools, everything in the kitchen -- put things back at the same place each time. You will condition to be more organized." Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
The Mistake: Waiting Until Tomorrow Staying organized is easy if you do something daily. "It is continuous maintenance. For each hour we spend organizing we conserve 3-4 hours," says professional organizer Nancy Heller. "Spend 5 minutes tidying up your junk drawer. . .just 20 minutes here, 10 minutes there will make all the difference." Image courtesy Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil
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