Tired of your junky utility closet? Organize your closet in just a few easy steps. You can do this on weekends, holidays or your vacant time. So, say goodbye to the cluttered utility closet you have and welcome a newly organized closet. Check out these easy and effective ways on how to organize your utility closet:

How to Organize Your Utility Closet

1.)    Remove everything

The best way to start this task is to go back from what your utility closet looks like at the beginning – it’s empty. Take all your items inside and place them carefully in a certain area. Make sure that the items you removed will not block your way or accessibility.

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2.)    Clean your closet

After all your things are removed, wipe off the dirt and vacuum the interior of your closet. You can apply the cleaning agent if you want to remove the smell, in case there’s any.

3.)    Categorize your things

Classify your things according to its type, function and use. This will make it easier for you to identify the location of your things when place in the closet. You can also have them categorize according to their colors.

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4.)    Collect, Select and Donate

After you classify your things, collect and select the things that you can keep. More often than not, people doing this procedure will find out that there are items that they don’t need or redundant. For items that are functional but not needed, it’s good to donate them to people or organizations. This way, you can free up space and help in the process.

5.)    Label

One if the things that are often taken for granted is the labeling. This may take you some time and efforts, but it will provide you with so much comfort and convenience in the long run. You can easily access your things inside and arrange them in the future.

Image via: BHG

Now that you have organized your closet, it will be easier for you to access the things you need inside. Proper organization will also make your things last longer. So, what are you waiting for? Make it a priority to organize your closet this weekend or as soon as you have vacant time.

For more organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Now that the holidays are over, let’s look at all of the clutter that’s lying around- gifts, holiday greeting cards, decorations, and old toys your kids have ditched for new ones. Try these easy tips to cut clutter and get your home back to normal state. Now that we are into a new year its time to try these tips for decluttering your home after the holidays.

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Tips for Decluttering your Home after the Holidays

Don’t procrastinate

We know that you are exhausted and stressed after all the holiday cheer, but the reality is the longer you take to get things sorted, the more likely it is that the situation will get worse. And especially if you still have some time off from work, take advantage and start taking out the decorations and creating places for all the new items you get throughout the holidays.

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Unused items

Did you get a sweater or dress last Christmas that you still have not been able to wear? Chances are you will never wear it. The same goes for everything else you have not used or opened since you got it. Wrap them and give them to someone who might use them. Organize kids clothes, shoes, and belongings to ensure kids get a routine that fits them this new year.

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Get one, Toss two

Take it as a thumb rule, when you plan to keep one thing,  get rid of two items you no longer use. For instance, for every new winter clothing you add to your wardrobe, remove two older ones.

Get organized in intervals

Image via: Good Housekeeping

Rather than tackling the whole house together, take up one thing at a time. For instance, gather all your holiday decorations at one place; group them together and then sort them. Similarly, while you wait for the coffer to brew, utilize the time to sort through mails and holiday greetings.

When de-cluttering your house post holidays, work quickly and don’t deliberate over each item. Make decisions and move on! Do you have any tips for decluttering your home that have worked for you? We’d love to hear them.

For more organization tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! It’s time to get ready for the holidays and hat better way then to get organized? Today’s Saturday will help you declutter and also watch a video to make a Thanksgiving or Holiday Thankful Tree!

In over the 300 days of the year we accumulate so many things that we just seem to forget about.  Eventually those forgotten items that we once needed become cluttered mess around the house.  So time to de-clutter and clear out the unwanted things and get ready for the holidays of the season.  Get your yellow gloves and sponges and let’s get to work.

Declutter Your Home for the Holidays

Image via: Pinterest

Make a Holiday Giving Tree – Video

Link to Video: Make a Holiday Giving Tree

Box or Bag it Up

Garbage bags and grocery boxes for the entire family for discarding the unused, unneeded or unwanted things that you all have within your home.  Have each box labeled the boxes or bags to know which room it came from that way when you place them in the basement, attic or hide way closet you will know where they go when the holidays are over.  Make sure to use the boxes for managing the paperwork or anything that is fragile that could be damaged if tossed.  Try to set a New Year’s Resolution to organize, give away or toss out each one of the bagged or boxed items.

Clean Up the Kitchen

One of the main areas in the home that are consistently used during the holidays is the kitchen.  That will be another area for you to clean and clear out.  Start by wiping down the countertops and oven then line the bottom with fresh aluminum foil.  Clean out the refrigerator to make room for those new holiday meals you want to store. Of course, wash and put away the dishes and take out the holiday dish décor that you plan on using.

Image via:  Blog. Blinds

Clean Up Around the Bathrooms

The next on the list that everyone will use daily is the bathroom so we really want to make sure that that area is taken care of for the holidays.  Start off with the bathrooms that the guests will be occupying.  Clean off the vanity countertop from any of your personal belongings, that way the guests can put their toiletries on it.  Leave fresh towels and wash cloths for them and empty out all of the waste baskets.

Image via:  Realtaltonic

Get the Floors in Order

Image via: Kmart

With all of the traffic that goes on top of the floors this would be a great time for cleaning them.  Vacuum the carpet on the main level and upstairs level, then vacuum the main level again right before the guests arrive.  Sprinkle some potpourri powder on the floor for the second vacuuming to give the room or area a fresh aroma.

We all collect things over a period of time, but those things do not have to take over our home especially when we need the space to help comfort other’s needs.  De-clutter is a perfect way to start off your holidays and keep you and your guests happy.  So take a look at the guidelines above and see how they work for you.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

What could be better than living a simple, uncluttered life? Not much. The benefits of owning fewer possessions are endless. You have fewer things to clean and organize your living room which reduces your stress and increases your time and energy for your passions and hobbies. If you want to get rid of clutter but are wondering where to begin, the living room is as good a place to start as any. Here’s how to go about it:

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Make a List

The first step towards getting rid of clutter is writing down the specific areas you need to declutter. Start with the easiest and end with the hardest. You can make the list as difficult or as easy as you want based upon the specific areas in your living room that make up the list.

Implement the Four-Box Method

This famous technique gained popularity when people started embracing minimalist living. The idea is to get four boxes and label them as keep, donate/sell, recycle, and trash. Go over each item in your living room and place it in one of the four boxes. Consider each item individually and put a sticker on the ones that are too large to fit in the boxes. Turn on all the lights as you work so that you can see well and put on your favorite music to get you in the mood.

Image via: Houzz

Set Aside 15 Minutes Each Day for Decluttering

If you’ve got an overwhelming job in store or don’t think you have the motivation or time to declutter your living room, get a timer and set it for 15 minutes each day. It may seem like a short duration but there’s a lot you can do within that timespan. Try this for one week and you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll accomplish.

Image via: Annice Sinclair

Use Your Imagination

When you want to get rid of objects that seem difficult to remove, use your imagination. Ask yourself questions like “How much would I pay for this if I was buying it now?” This will help you to remove unneeded clutter.

The phase “Clutter takes on a life of its own” is a common one. Don’t let clutter take on a life of its own in your living room. Take drastic measures and give it a life far away from yours.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The end of a season is almost like the beginning of a new year. Organizing your closet according to the season is a great way to save space and minimize clutter. Here are three easy steps to help you conquer the overwhelming giant called closet organization for fall:

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1. Preparation:

Organizing the closet needs time, energy and patience, dedicate one full day to the task. You may end up completing it earlier, but an organizing job dropped midway will be frustrating and confusing to pick up from where you left. Choose one closet at a time and move to the next only once you are done with the first. Start by emptying your closet entirely.

Image via: Pinterest

Pull out everything there is and clean the closet inside out. Pile the contents according to their categories – swim suits, shorts, t-shirts, hats etc. Fetch bins for your summer clothing and line them with absorbent tissue paper. Clear out space in your attic, basement or under your bed for the summer bins.

 Image via: artwork.closettailors

2. Organization:

Rummage through every pile that you have created and further divide those into labels marked as keep, donate and dispose. The three piles should be clearly labeled to avoid confusion later. Wash, iron and fold the clothes that you are keeping and then store them in bins. Wipe your summer shoes and store them in individual draw-string cloth bags. Take your organization a step further by making a list of the contents in each bin, keep this list on top before closing the lid. This will make it easier for you to re-organize your wardrobe for summer. Box the clothes that you would like to donate so you can drop them off at your local charity later. Anything stained, torn and worn out should go into the trash.

Image via: San Francisco Organized Interiors

3. Re-stock:

Once your closet is well-aired and the summer clothes are out of sight, it is time to bring out your winter wardrobe. Once again sort them into Jackets, coats, sweaters, gloves, ties, shoes etc. Arrange these in your closet by type so all your jackets are with the jackets and pants with the pants. Fold your sweaters and stack them on shelves. Pull out a tie organizer or install hooks and hang your ties and scarves individually to avoid them from crumpling up in the closet. Everything in your closet should be easily accessible, remember that anything out of sight will be forgotten. Make a list of things you need and want for the impending winter and head out for some shopping!

Use these 3 easy tips to discover hidden space in your closets you didn’t know existed! This fall get organized with closets you can find your items in easily, and effortlessly.

For more home organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Organizing your closet is a must, but can often be a challenge! It’s not only for cleaning purpose but for several reasons. Organized closets can free up space in your closet, prolong its life and make everything in your closet accessible.  These are a few good reasons to organize your closets.

The task of organizing closets isn’t simple. It requires patience and dedication to declutter your closets. But it doesn’t mean it’s so hard and backbreaking. You just have to know the proper procedure and techniques to do it. It will still require a little effort on your part but bearable.

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To help you out, here are helpful tips on how to organize your cluttered closets:

Plan ahead your closet organization

More often than not, planning is overlooked in the process. You immediately jump into the cleaning process and pulling out the items in your closet without mapping out what to do. In organizing your closet, it’s very helpful to have an outline or rough draft on where you want your closet items to go after cleaning. This way, you can group every item while removing them in your closet.

Make use of the overhead space

There are items in your closet that are rarely used. These seasonal items should be placed in the overhead space. This is to give room for items that are commonly used. Items such as moving blankets, party costumes and seasonal appliances like the humidifier are just among those you need to place on top. Your uniforms, medical kits and other frequently used items should be within your reach.

Image via: San Francisco Organized Interiors

Look to closet organizers that work better for your lifestyle

Organizers will definitely help you in this task. The name itself will tell you how it works. For instance, a 24-pocket shoe organizer can be suspended on the side of your closet. Also, this can be utilized as a holder for your brush, mails, spray bottles and other items that you can insert in its pocket.

Don’t make it difficult for you to organize your closet. It’s just a matter of implementing the appropriate steps in the process.

For more organization tips on Stagetecture, click here.

I’ve been eyeballing my bookshelf and figuring out how I can make room for…well, more books, of course. I’m a hoarder when it comes to books – I rarely giveaway or throwaway anything. This means I’ve had to double up my shelves with books and place an enormous basket beside my bookshelf to put the strays. Not to mention the bedside tables throughout the house that have at least a foot high of my newest reads.

But the wintertime is my favorite time of year for reading. I tend to overbuy books and spend my entire weekend hibernating inside with my newest selections.

The stacks have gotten higher, though, and I felt it was time to finally do it – clean out my bookshelf.

But where do I begin? Where can you begin? Hopefully, I can provide you with a few tips that I learned that can help you declutter your bookshelf.

Image via: Abbott Moon

1) Pick out the books you’ve only read up to page 10.

You know the ones. They seemed like a good idea when you bought them, but the go nowhere plot, bad character development, overdone description, or just something about it didn’t click with you.  So, why do you still have it? Maybe the long lost hope you’ll give it another chance? I’ve long thought the same thing about finally finishing my copy of Moby Dick (but truly, it takes way too long to get to the dang whale), but after a while, I had to accept that I just wouldn’t read it.

And if you’ve had a book for more than a year or two, and you’ve only cracked the spine up to page 5, you probably won’t go back and read it.  It’s time for the bad book to go into the donation stack.

2) Textbooks (not related to a college major).

There are a few textbooks I have held onto (my modern art and Alfred Hitchcock textbook are on this list), but as for Spanish 101 and my nutrition class book? Well, let me just say this, if it’s been a few years since Spanish 101 and you can barely say, “Where’s the bathroom” in espanol anymore, then it might be time to let go.

But, before you donate it, make sure you can’t sell it online first. Textbooks have a short shelf life, though, so you probably will end up giving it away.

Image via: Krieger + Associates Architects Inc

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3) Undesirable How-To and other nonfiction books.

For some bizarre reason I bought a book entitled, “Can you pass these tests?” It was about the various tests that certain careers require you to take. Fascinated at the time, I bought it to see if I could pass them. When I couldn’t pass a single one, I stuffed it into a shelf, never to look at it again. This is right alongside my how-to excel books as well as my blandest book on the planet guide to the Pacific Northwest (I think I could’ve bought better).

These are books that have been on my shelf for years and I have not even looked at them once (not even in passing as I dust my bookshelf). If this sounds like any of your how-to or nonfiction books, it is time to let them go.

4) Books that were once gifts.

I respect any friend or family member that step outside of their comfort zone and actually give me a book as a gift. Sadly, though, the taste in books that some people have doesn’t always match mine (science fiction military novel anyone?). These books end up in a back corner on the shelf, probably behind another book (we don’t want that family member actually asking me if I’ve read it, now do we?).

It’s time to put on your grownup pants and find that book and face the pages – this book deserves to find a better home. Don’t let guilt crowd your bookshelves any longer.

Image via: Ninainvorm

5) Borrowed books.

I once borrowed “The Notebook” from a friend in high school. 8 years later I still have this book. I am not the type of person you should loan books to, because more than likely, you’ll never get them back. But this year – I will return the book (even mail it if I have to).

Find the books people have loaned to you, and return them. If you no longer know where this person is, send out the good karma vibes and donate this book.

It is possible to clear out your bookshelves and make room for your newest reads. It’s a difficult process for any reader, because every book represents a friend. I understand this, I do. But after a while, we all have to clean house. Hopefully, my advice makes it a little bit easier for you.

Happy reading!

Amanda Greene is author and Brand Manager for RHL, leading online dorm essentials supplier. She enjoys writing about college and dorm life. 

For more home organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Books are part of our lives and our homes. It is where we learn so many things and develop our skills. This is why every home has to have a bookshelf to organize books. It is a piece of furniture that store relevant information and priceless papers. Having a bookshelf in your bedroom or living room is a must.

However, having a bookshelf is one thing but making it organized is another. Organizing your bookshelf provides convenience in acquiring books and adds beauty in its look. It will not appear to be messy and ruin the appearance of your room.

Image via: Carol Vaughan-Davis

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Here are some ideas to help you organize your bookshelf with style:

Choose your books wisely

You have to know and identify the books that you need. You just don’t put anything and everything you wanted. Think of those books that you need more often. You may start with those books that are required in your school or work. Make sure that the commonly used books are within your reach.

Choose books by size

When you arrange your books, always look at their sizes. If possible, group those with the same height. Thickness can be neglected but see to it that thin books will not be covered. This way, your arrangement will look neat and clean. If you are not sure with the durability of your shelf, do not group heavy book together in one area.

Image via: Redmond Aldrich

Pick books with nice colors

Don’t fail to spot books that have great colors. You can use these books to brighten us the bookshelf. Feel free to mix and match the colors until you have great color combination. You can either have the bold colors at the center and the pale ones at the corners. This will give style to your bookshelf.

Always remember to perform a regular cleanup in your bookshelf. You can move the books from one place to another to avoid dust accumulation and other problems that may cause damage to your books. Your bookshelf will never be so attractive after implementing these ideas.

For more home styling ideas on Stagetecture, click here.