Did you find it a struggle to store everything you used over the holidays? Is there a chance a Christmas serving platter will fall off an over-stuffed shelf next July when you're pulling out the barbecue supplies? If clutter and lack of proper storage is driving you crazy, here are tips to get you started on a clutter-free, organized home.

Pare Down Your Mudroom and Entryway

Whether you enter your house from the front or back, the last thing you want to greet you is disorganization. This is a good place to start streamlining. Keep only seasonal items and pack the rest away in vacuum-sealed bags. Organize the items your family uses daily and plan storage for bags, shoes, coats, and sports equipment. Hooks, shelves, and cubbies for each person mean things can be found easily when running out the door. If you have the space, why not give everyone their own cabinet? Once your layout and storage are planned well, you just rotate what you need seasonally.

Make the Most of Your Laundry Room

Though small, a mismanaged laundry room creates all sorts of headaches. Clever design means everything has its place and clutter is reduced. Install cabinets to store most laundry and cleaning supplies and include open shelves for frequently used items. Countertops are ideal for folding laundry, with tilted or pull-out hampers underneath. Figure out how you want laundry organized and set up hampers to match. The narrowest of spaces can neatly store an ironing board or a drop-down model. Drying racks that collapse, fold up, or hang from the ceiling alongside rails for shirts make life easier.

Rethink Your Kitchen and Pantry Storage

Decluttering is the first step to an efficient and beautiful kitchen. Empty your cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer and discard expired or broken items. Donate anything never used. After cleaning, stand back and assess what you need. If a new layout is called for, your designer can customize storage solutions to fit your space. A combination of deep and shallow drawers along with adjustable cabinet shelving means you can store and access everything easily. Pull-out shelving, lazy Susans, appliance garages, and charging drawers are all good kitchen storage options. We dig into this in our kitchen storage guide.

Blitz Your Bathroom

Clutter can really build up in a bathroom. All the creams, products, and candles can in turn cause stress when they clutter vanity drawers and gather dust on the countertop. Clear everything out and discard or donate accordingly. Clean everywhere, then plan your new look, incorporating custom storage if possible. Countertops should stay clear; look to the rest of the room for storage. Pull-out laundry hampers, beauty products, accessories, and trash cans can all be stored away. Designate a space for each family member: hooks for robes and towels, customized drawer or cabinet for personal items.

Talk through your home with a designer

If you're thinking about decluttering and want to talk through layout and storage solutions, we'd love to talk.

Schedule a showroom visit at our 5,000 square foot showroom in Norwell. No pressure, just a real conversation about your home.

Transitions Kitchens, Baths & Remodeling
433 Washington St, Norwell, MA
(781) 871-0881