Channel the Clutter Police to confidently throw away whatever clutter’s been weighing you down!

Do you ever feel that a second opinion on what to dump would seriously help your decluttering efforts? Well, we’ve got words of wisdom from the Clutter Police to guide your toss-it-out efforts.

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Read on for the gospel on what to get rid of, and when!

Clothes and shoes you haven’t touched in two years
Opinion is divided whether the threshold here should be one year or 18 months. But the fact is that some winters aren’t as cold as others, or certain springs as wet, so a true cycle to test whether or not you’re done with an item is two years. After that time, your excuses have run out: you have to admit that, acts of nature and fashion aside, it’s time to throw away the albatross in question. Now find a good consignment shop to make some money on that past fashion, or donate what you just can’t sell.

Paper, paper and more of it
If there’s a single type of item gumming up our homes and lives, it’s paper. Why not get rid of old magazines that you’ve been swearing you’ll cut articles from for years, and shred financial records and receipts past their required “keep date”? Go through your kids’ art work and select just a few favorites you can’t part with – then get rid of the rest to make room for their next great creations.

Books you will never read
This one can be tricky for those of us who hate, on principle, to part with a book we were once sure would be great. Start by purging college novels and texts you haven’t looked at since your school years. Now remove any book you bought in the last three years that you pass over every time you go to reach for your next read. Be brave! And keep in mind that many book stores carry used inventory and will take books for store credit, if not cash.

Old vitamins, medicines and makeup
We all have shelf and drawer clutter that we just stop seeing after a while. Go through old items you store away like medicine bottles and makeup, checking for expiration dates. For makeup, two years is a reasonable throw-away date for most items. (Mascara has the shortest lifespan, at three months.)

Project paraphernalia
Whether you’ve been an aspiring beader or have a dozen “fix-it” items in your closet, it may be time to say goodbye to good intentions that just aren’t going to bear creative fruit. If you have a craft that you’ve neglected for several years or just never picked up, pass on the supplies to someone in your family who will really use them, or donate it all to a senior facility to people who will appreciate the gift.

These areas are just a few that will benefit from your courageous clutter management efforts. Go forth into your apartment, find the areas that are clogging up, and get rid of what’s not being used. Before long, you’ll channel the Clutter Police as you confidently throw away whatever’s been weighing you down!

Photo credit: Shutterstock / YuryZap

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Not sure where to begin organizing? Just take it one room at a time.

Home organization can seem like a daunting task, but when broken up room-by-room, it’s easier to tackle. Here’s how to divide and conquer to tame the mess.

Read on to learn more about our Spring Clean Sweepstakes.

Bathroom

• No nonsense. Space is often at a premium in your bathroom, so it’s important to be firm and decisive about getting rid of things you don’t need. Toss out toiletries and equipment that you rarely use. In your medicine cabinet, limit yourself to just the essentials to keep your organization goals on track. Trust us, you can live without that seventh bottle of nail polish remover.
• Space invaders. Nothing can make a room seem more like a mess than a cluttered countertop. Maximize valuable space on your vanity by utilizing utilitarian storage containers like this 5-in-1 toothbrush holder that also stores toothpaste and other toiletries like hand soap and lotion. Hang a rectangular wire basket (purchased from an office supply store) on the side of your vanity to hold your hair dryer and other gadgets.
• Clean sweep. Keep bottled cleaners organized by hanging a tension rod in your cabinet. These adjustable rods are available for cheap and are a great quick fix to keep tight spaces organized and the cleaners you use regularly within arm’s reach. For cleaning supplies you don’t grab on a regular basis, keep them in an easy-to-reach basket that can be stashed when finished.

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Bedroom

• Bed rest. Make sure to keep your bed made every day. This simple step can work wonders when you’re trying to keep your bedroom organized. Think about it: If you get into the habit of keeping your bed in order, you’ll likely develop a habit of keeping the rest of your room clean, too. That means the pile of dirty clothes in the corner is history.
• Closet case. Even if you consider yourself the most organized of people, your closet often tells a different story. Try this trick: Turn all the clothes hanging in your closet so that the hangers face back-to-front. Over the next six months, if you wear an item of clothing, return it to the closet and turn the hanger around. You might be shocked at how many clothes you never wear. Consider tossing these.
• Storage solutions. Clean up the dust bunnies under your bed – if you’re not utilizing this horizontal space, you’re missing out on a prime storage opportunity. Store your seasonal clothing or bulkier items like backpacks, purses, linens or blankets in flat, clear storage bins that you can label and slide under your bed.

More from Apartment Guide
Spring Cleaning: 6 Tips to Keep Your Apartment Allergen Free
Spruce up for Spring: Freshen up Your Home (Infographic)
How to Spring Clean Your Budget

Kitchen

Keep your kitchen organized by taking advantage of hanging space.

• It’s not personal. Without really knowing it, the kitchen can often accumulate personal items like shoes, keys, pocket change and mail. While you might not be able to avoid it completely, make it easier on yourself by imposing a rule of clearing the kitchen of personal items by dinnertime.
• Keep it together. It may seem like a no-brainer, but things that work together should be stored together, as close as possible to where they are used. Meaning, pots, pans and cooking utensils should be stored near the stove, giving you easy access to what you’ll need while cooking. Plates, dishes, cups and utensils should be kept together, while coffee, mugs and other supplies should be stored near the coffee maker. Keep items that are seldom used on top shelves.
• Nooks and crannies. Take advantage of every square inch of space by utilizing tools that are designed to hang on the back of a cabinet or pantry door. A hanging spice rack can be a real space saver, while canned goods and bottled items can be easily placed into a storage basket rack that is hung over the inside of a door.

Living Room

• Odds and ends. Since the living room is often the room in your house where you spend the most time, it can be easily overrun by items in no time. Inventory the items in your entertainment center and keep only the movies, games, books and music that you use regularly. Photo boxes can be labeled and are a stylish way to store the fun stuff. 
• Zone defense. Be realistic when determining how you want to use the living room, then gather similar things together and place them in specific zones. For instance, all DVDs, CDs and games should go near the entertainment center. Place magazines and books in a rack or storage box near your reading chair.
• Control the cords. Your living room is most likely full of lamps, a television, stereo, DVD player and other electronics, which often means tangled cables and out-of-control cords. Tame the mess by using a cable organizer like Cableyoyo. Or, use a cable zipper to enclose all cables in a tube to eliminate clutter.  

Home Office

• File away. A good filing system is the cornerstone of an organized office. Buy a 12-month expanding file, and keep all bills and receipts organized by month. Revisit these in a year, and if you haven’t needed them, shred them. Organize other important documents by category, such as automotive, education, financial, medical, taxes, etc.
• A home for hardware. If your desk is covered with computers, printers, monitors, phones and other electronics, you might realize you have no space to actually work. Move your computer tower to the floor, and switch to a lightweight, flat-screen monitor if you haven’t already. Purchase a multipurpose machine that incorporates a printer, fax machine and scanner to save space, and use a freestanding light instead of a desk lamp.
• Wheel of fortune. Utilize home office furniture with wheels whenever possible. A wheeled filing cabinet can be brought out during the day, then tucked up under a desk or in a closet at night, minimizing office clutter.

This spring, we want to help you tidy up your apartment — on a budget! That’s why we’ve partnered with LearnVest, an advice-driven financial planning program, to help you organize your apartment and take control of your money. Enter the Spring Clean Sweepstakes for a chance to win a LearnVest Planning 5-Year Planner subscription and $300 you can use toward sprucing up your place!

Photo credit: iStockphoto/jgareri

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Dust is the most common cause of indoor allergies, but make sure you’re not kicking up dirt and debris when you’re cleaning.

Indoor allergies caused by dust mites, pet dander and mold trigger allergy and even asthma symptoms in millions of indoor allergy sufferers each year.

Read on to learn more about our Spring Clean Sweepstakes.

While it is impossible to make your home completely allergen-free, below are a few tips to clear most of the bothersome allergens from your apartment.

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Dusting
Dust is the most common cause of indoor allergies, but be careful how you dust, because you can actually make your allergies worse by kicking up dirt and debris while you’re cleaning. Use a wet or treated cloth that attracts dust, minimize dust-catching clutter and clean dusty surfaces, such as ceiling fan blades, regularly so that dust doesn’t have a chance to accumulate.

Vacuum
To really ensure your space stays allergen-free, any carpet or rugs should be replaced with hard flooring, but that might not be an option in your apartment. Instead, use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter that traps dust mites, pet dander and other allergens, and try to vacuum at least once or twice a week.

Wash Your Bedclothes
Dust mites thrive in bedding, so wash your sheets, blankets and pillowcases once a week in hot water, then dry them in a hot dryer, to kill all the dust mites. Also, encase mattresses, comforters, pillows and other non-washable items in allergen-proof covers.

Go Green
Many cleaning products have harsh chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions in people. Opt for environmentally friendly cleaning products instead. These contain plant-based, natural ingredients. You can also make many common household cleaners using things like baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice.

Reduce Pet Dander
A protein found in the saliva and dead skin of dogs and cats is a common indoor allergen. If you have pets, vacuum frequently and wash your pet once a week. You can also keep them off your bed and furniture and even designate certain areas of your apartment as pet-free areas. And if know there’s a certain pet that you know sets off your allergies, don’t get that type of animal. Unfortunately, a short-haired dog or cat will still cause the allergic reaction.

Go on Mold Patrol
Spores from mold and mildew can get into the air and cause allergies and even sickness. Run an exhaust fan after you take a shower, and replace any bathroom wallpaper with tile or mold-resistant paint. Replace moldy or mildewed curtains and moldy carpeting.

Following these guidelines should keep your apartment relatively allergen-free, and you’ll be much more happy and healthy.

This spring, we want to help you tidy up your apartment — on a budget! That’s why we’ve partnered with LearnVest, an advice-driven financial planning program, to help you organize your apartment and take control of your money. Enter the Spring Clean Sweepstakes for a chance to win a LearnVest Planning 5-Year Planner subscription and $300 you can use toward sprucing up your place!

Photo credit: iStockphoto/JulNichols

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Organize and accessorize to create a closet that will take care of your clothes.

Is your closet a place to hide things? A cramped space with unknown contents, safe from prying eyes, holding things you’d rather not have to face?

With a little effort, you can turn that all around and create an organized closet that serves you rather than enabling you to keep clutter.

Read on for suggestions how to organize and accessorize your closet for maximum usage.

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Purge the outdated
Begin your efforts to keep an organized closet by getting rid of what you’re not using. This seems simple enough, but sometimes we keep clothes, shoes, purses or ties because they remind of us of our younger selves or of memories that we cherish. As you go through your closet clutter, ask yourself if the item in your hands makes you feel great when you wear it, is flattering on you or projects the image you want at this point in your life. If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, away it goes! For a “maybe” item, wear it for a day and see if you can decide then. In most cases, “maybes” are “no” items that you’re just not ready to cop to yet.

With newly-available closet real estate space, you can now begin your organization efforts in earnest.

Find the right closet system
Depending on the kind of closet you have (reach in? walk in?), this might be the time to install a closet system. You can call a company like California Closets, which can design and install the storage components for you, or use a system available from the Container Store, the Home Depot or EasyClosets. Most systems can be self-installed. Do consider your lease before you choose a product that requires involved installation or which might be difficult to remove.

If you don’t want to go the expense of installing a complete closet system, consider using modular pieces, such as rolling storage caddies, hanging storage caddies or stackable boxes and crates. You can easily create your own system using these portable options.

Coordinate your closet decor
When choosing your closet organization system, try matching it to your room’s decor. You can match colors from your room to the shelves or drawer faces, use wallpaper from the room to accent the closet interior, or simply choose a complementary shade for your modular bins and hanging caddies. With attention to color and style, you can make your closet an attractive annex of the larger room.

Create a personal touch
Regardless of how deep or spacious your closet, you can add finishes to make the space feel welcoming and purposeful. If you have room, add a mirror or small framed picture. Use hat boxes, vintage luggage, decorative boxes or decorative metal locker baskets as containers for sweaters and sundries. To creatively store small items such as jewelry, gloves and sunglasses, try cigar boxes, vintage lunch boxes or even a small (clean!) tackle box.

The importance of hangers
Once you’ve sorted through your excess stuff and come up with storage solutions for the non-hanging items in your closet, it’s time to consider the hangers themselves. Choosing the right kind of hanger for each particular clothing item can not only preserve the piece, but create more room, as well. Non-slip Space Saving Hangers are available through a variety of retailers. Sturdy and easy on your clothes, they are also thin, taking up considerably less space than plastic tube hangers or wooden hangers. If space is not an issue, durable wooden hangers for blouses and jackets work very well, however. Use clip hangers to keep skirts wrinkle free and pants hangers to keep trousers looking spiffy. A multi-hanger (also available with clips) is a great way to save space when hanging multiple pairs of pants.

It’s time to embrace your closet’s potential! Maximize every square inch to store the wardrobe you love, and you’ll enjoy wearing and taking care of each piece. When you design a closet space that’s easy to access, you may be surprised at the difference in your motivation to neatly hang your clothes back up at the end of the day!

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Kekyalyaynen

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Pantone’s color of the year is Emerald. Incorporate this in your decor in 2013.

Take a look around your apartment. Is it ready for a décor revamp? Spring is right around the corner, and this is the perfect opportunity to freshen up your space and give it an updated look.

This year, new trends are popping up, including incorporating Pantone’s bold color of the year, as well as an emphasis on art. If you’re looking to step outside of the box and be daring in your décor, 2013’s your year. Read on to learn how to incorporate 2013’s décor trends into your apartment.

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Add Pops of Color
Painting isn’t always an option for apartment dwellers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add pops of color throughout your space. Pantone, an industry leader who sets the tone for home décor, announced its color of the year for 2013: Emerald. According to Pantone’s website, “emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world.” To add color to your walls without painting, frame emerald-inspired paintings in a set of three or cover a large canvas with an emerald-colored fabric. You can also incorporate the color with accent pieces, such as throw pillows, blankets, vases or picture frames. Or, if you’re feeling extra daring, consider painting a piece of furniture, such as a dresser, TV stand or side tables.

Shine Brightly
Energy-efficient LED lighting products are still a hit in 2013. This includes cove, tray ceiling, toe kick, and under- and above- cabinet lighting. Finishes for lighting include chrome and polished nickel, which appeal to Generation “Y” and baby boomers.

Incorporate Patterns
One way to spruce up your décor is by adding patterns, though the key is to not overdo it. One of the trends present during Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week was stripes. Stripes bring movement into a room, and designers will likely to incorporate this trend in their decorating this season. Mix and match different sized stripes for a rug or accent pillows. If your big furniture is neutral, consider adding in a bold accent piece, such as a striped accent chair, which will add a spark to your space.

Another trend in patterns for 2013 is incorporating botanical prints. This includes floral prints and plants. Avoid going overboard, as adding a select few prints will go a long way. To make it subtle, make black and white prints of illustrations and attach them to colorful card stock. You can also line the back of a bookcase with botanical images.

Use Metallic Finishes
Metallics are making a comeback this year. Brass is back, and it is easy to incorporate into your space – not to mention it is affordable. Change out your plain lamp base for one with a brass finish, and consider changing your knobs and cabinet pulls to brass. Golds are also in style this year and can be added to your décor through a starburst mirror, accent pieces or a mirror. And don’t forget about chrome and silver – they’re around to stay.

Repurpose Wood
Though this isn’t a new trend, adding repurposed or reclaimed wood to your space will be big this year. Combining wood with metal is a popular trend. This could include a desk with an iron base and a wood top. Wooden trays, cutting boards and coasters should be showcased in your apartment.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/murboy

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Keep your holiday neat and tidy with five organization tips that will keep your home clutter-free.

3. Control your boxes and trash
Whether you stash all of your purchased gifts in the trunk of your car, the guest room or attic, put them all in one place until you’ve made all of your gift-giving purchases. Remove them from their shopping bags and throw the bags away immediately, reserving the receipts. If they arrived in boxes in the mail, set aside only which boxes you’ll need to wrap gifts, and break down the remaining boxes. Put them in the recycling bin or Dumpster immediately, and store the saved boxes in the same place you store your gifts.

4. Select a wrapping paper “station”
Various companies sell wrapping paper organizers, but you don’t have to shell out lots of money on specialized storage bins; you can keep everything together in a cheap, new (or clean) 13-gallon plastic trash can. Place the tape, tissue paper, scissors, gift tags and ribbon in the bottom and stack wrapping paper rolls on top. To keep bows from losing their shape, store them in a plastic shopping bag and hang it from one of the wrapping paper rolls, and hang gift bags from another roll. Stuff plastic shopping bags between the rolls to keep them from sliding around.

5. Wrap everything at once
As soon as all of your gifts have been purchased or arrive in the mail, designate one day to wrap them. Then, you’ll only need to get out your wrapping paper supplies and clean up scraps of paper once. When you’re finished, place the gifts under the tree and store your wrapping paper station in the attic, home office or hall closet, wherever you keep the rest of your Christmas decorations.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/daneger

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Get your apartment’s kitchen holiday-ready with these space-saving ideas.

At the holidays, the kitchen often becomes the focus of family gatherings and parties. But in most apartment kitchens, space is at a premium. If your holiday plans call for entertaining or hosting friends at your home, having an organized kitchen will assist with meal preparation and help keep your holiday hub show-ready!

Check out these easy space-saving ideas to keep your apartment’s kitchen organized this season.

Magnetic Spice Rack

Ever thought about how much shelf space you’d save by eliminating all of the little bottles in your cupboards that contain spices and seasonings? A revolving spice rack is one option to stack and store all of your spices in a compact space, but it still needs room to stand on your countertop. The Large Magnetic Spice Rack from A Place for Everything takes up zero counter or shelf space, and it looks cool! Made from 18-8 stainless steel, each individual spice holder is clear on top and magnetic on the bottom. They will stick to your refrigerator, or they can be arranged on the included stainless steel back plate.

Hang Pots and Pans

Install a hanging rack above your kitchen counter or island to save space in your cabinets — and make your pots and pans easier to find. Place them near the range or oven for convenient access.

Storing Knives

Here’s an amazing tip from the queen of kitchen organization – Martha Stewart! Say goodbye to bulky knife blocks or dangerous drawers filled with loose sharp utensils by transferring your knives to a shallow drawer lined with artists’ drawing-board liner (available at most art supply stores). The fabric wipes clean easily and has a slightly rubbery surface to keep knives in place.

Hanging Bike Baskets

Bowls filled with fruit can add a pop of color to your kitchen, but not everyone has precious counter real estate to spare for a large bowl or basket. But if you have some spare wall space available, purchase a few baskets designed to hold fishing tackle or those that hook onto a bicycle’s handlebars. These baskets come with holes in the back and can be easily hung on a kitchen wall with hooks, or onto a peg board. Choose a few to hold kitchen tools, potatoes or fruits and vegetables that don’t need to be kept in the refrigerator.

There are many stylish ways to save space in your kitchen, and with a bit of planning and creativity, you’ll soon be hosting and toasting in the most organized kitchen on the block!

Photo credit: iStockphoto/mattjeacock

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The key to an organized home office is to reduce clutter.

Maintaining a neat and orderly home office can be a challenge. A home office can easily become a catch-all for the rest of your home’s clutter. Next thing you know, you can’t find that bill that must be paid, or last year’s tax returns. But with these simple tips and a little effort, you can create and maintain a neat and orderly home office.

Create a System

Come up with a way to deal with your workflow. Get an inbox to use for incoming work, an outbox for things that have been dealt with and are to be filed or thrown away and a filing system for keeping track of it all once it leaves your desk.

Clean Your Desk

You spend most of your time in your home office at your desk, so this is a logical place to start. Is it buried under stacks of paper, pens, business cards or other debris? Go through it and separate everything into piles based on what you need to keep, what needs looking over later, and what needs to be thrown away (put this pile straight into the trash can).

Get a Filing Cabinet

A four-drawer file cabinet is useful for storing last year’s tax returns, client info and other things you need to get to that would be in your way if it was piled on your desk.

Cut the Cords

Keep your cords dusted and out of sight behind your desk, or replace your keyboard, mouse and printer with wireless peripherals.

When in Doubt, Throw it Out

Be honest. If that catalog that’s been on your desk since January is still there, you’re probably not going to order anything from it. Throw it away. If there is anything you have acted on but are required to keep, file it. And if you have hard copies of anything that you can access readily online, toss it.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/poligonchik

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Colors
The dominant color palette in contemporary design includes neutrals, black and white. It doesn’t necessarily have to be boring or bland. Keep the main things neutral (walls and large furniture), but accent the room with bright and bold colors in the form of accent chairs, pillows and accessories. However, you can mix it up. If you decide to paint a wall a bold color, then use neutral décor around your space.

Furnishings
In contemporary design, furniture should have smooth, clean, geometric shapes. Large pieces are often neutral, white or black in color. Your furniture should be simple; less is more. Bare space is just as important as furniture pieces. Your couch and chairs should be uncluttered and without decoration. Exposed chair legs are a key detail in contemporary design, and avoid having bed skirts, trim, fringe or tassels on furniture. If possible, use simple, armless furniture to allow the views to command the room.

Fabrics
When choosing fabric, choose textured natural fibers, such as wool, cotton, linen, silk and jute. This creates a natural look, as well as a textural appeal. Soft fabrics on the sofa will add a sense of comfort, and using shades of beige and cream create a calming environment. Avoid using colorful and “busy” prints, as this takes away from the simplicity of contemporary design.

Finishes
For cabinets, countertops and furniture pieces, choose pieces that have a sleek wood finish. This creates a warm and comfortable room, and surprisingly enough, the sleek wood adds softness to contemporary spaces. Additionally, keep finishes natural, as the focus in contemporary design is on comfort.

Accessories
Incorporating aspects of nature into your design fits in with contemporary style. Accessories inspired by nature are encouraged. One way to do this is to add green foliage, which adds interest and color, and it also brightens up a neutral color palette. Dress up your furniture with throw pillows, using colors that accent the other furniture and accessories in your room. To create a focal point in the room, hang an oversized abstract painting on one wall. Another way to create a focal point is to arrange your furniture in a way that encourages conversation. Revolve the arrangement around an accessory that creates drama, such as a reclaimed wood coffee table.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/evirgen

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