Whether you need to gain control of your papers or your clothes closet, the rewards of getting it organized will be plentiful. By being organized you’ll decrease your stress and increase your productivity, ultimately leading to more control of your time, space, and activities. Below you will find a step by step guide to help you get your home organized.

Step 1: Select an Area to Organize
Select an area that causes you the greatest frustration or an area that is used most often. Common areas to begin with are kitchens, desk areas or papers, and clothes closets.

Step 2: Plan the Time to Organize
Set aside an "appointment" with yourself each day or week. Avoid telephone calls and interruptions during this time. Don’t cancel your appointment! Regard your appointment as a visit with a therapist and an interior decorator. The combination of the two will make you feel better and your home look nicer.

Step 3: Divide the Project Into Achievable Segments
You will feel overwhelmed and stressed if you fail to meet your expectations. Therefore it is necessary to break down your project into achievable segments. If you are tackling your clothes closet, don’t pull everything out and expect to organize it in one session. Instead, designate one segment or "appointment" for purging two shelves. Another appointment may be for purging your tops. Stop ten to fifteen minutes before your appointment ending time. At this time clean up and put your project back into functional order.

Step 4: Clutter Removal
A good first appointment or first few appointments on any project is getting rid of things you no longer need or use. The most difficult part of organizing space is deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. Begin by labeling 3 boxes or bags: Put Away, Give Away, and Throw Away. There is an optional 4^th box, but only if absolutely necessary: Another Day.

Below are steps to help you forge through the clutter.

1. Have you used the item in the past year?

If no, go to question #2.

If yes, place it in Put Away.

2. Does the item have true sentimental value to you?

If no, go question #3.

If yes, place it in Put Away.

3. If you haven’t used something in a year and it has no sentimental value, place it in Give Away or Throw Away.

If you absolutely can’t bear to place it in either box, then put it in Another Day. Either when you are done with your clutter removal segment or 6 months from now, pull out the box again to sort through it. This time it will be much easier to get rid of items.

4. Remember to stop ten to fifteen minutes before your appointment ends to put away the items in your Put Away box and throw away items in your Throw Away box. Don’t forget about giving away your Give Away box.

Be cautious about saving too many things. These items require storage and maintenance. Now once you have removed the clutter, you will then see what you have left to organize.

Step 5: Key to Staying Organized – Designated Place
The key to staying organized is having a designated place for everything. You must have a place for everything from socks with missing mates to bills that need to be paid.

Organizers: When possible, use organizing products. Ideal organizing products are ones that are specifically designed for the job. They will maximize your space and fit the articles appropriately.

Space: If you are lacking space, look for wasted space. Take an imaginary x-ray to find unused space. Most often wasted space is vertical – above or below items. Maximize this space by rearranging items or the shelves and by using organizing tools. Example:  Double your closet space by hanging double rods, one upper and one lower.

Unfortunately we tend to lay most items down, i.e., papers, garage items, etc. Try storing items vertically -- off the floor or base (countertops, desks). Could you imagine if New York City was all one-story buildings? Maximize your medicine cabinet shelves by standing tubes upright in a container instead of laying them down.

Placement: Put items in an order that will allow for a quick and easy retrieval. Consider putting items in alphabetical order, color order, or grouping by category. Clothes in a closet can first be grouped by category (pants, tops, dresses), and then by color order, white to black. Alphabetizing your spice rack allows for quick retrieval of spices. Could you imagine trying to find a spice in the grocery store if the spices were not in alphabetical order? Strive for simplicity so anyone in your household can put something away and find it again.

Containers: Choose clear containers to store items that will be stored behind closed doors. A clear container allows you to easily see what is inside. Putting cereal in a clear container will alert you when the cereal is running low. If items are going to be stored where they are in view, choose a decorative container instead of a clear one. When organizing products are not available or appropriate, be creative. Use a painted bowl on a high shelf to store and conceal receipts. Put wicker baskets and decorative boxes to use.

In large storage areas such as basements and attics, choose boxes or containers that will help you identify what is in them. Store Christmas items in boxes with Christmas designs or in ones that will easily alert you to what is inside.

Step 6: Staying Organized
Now that you have devoted time to organize, you’ll want to maintain the organization. Staying organized may take some practice at first. Remember to continuously get rid of items you no longer need and be vigilant with putting items in their place. No matter how clean your home is, it will not look clean if there is clutter.

A good phrase to remember for staying organized is "do it now." It takes less time to do something now, then it will take to go back and do it at a later time. When the temptation arises not to do something now, think of the stress of being disorganized versus the pleasure of being organized. A good habit takes 21 consecutive days to form, so stick to it.