We all have areas in our homes where we need to maximize our use of the space. Perhaps you are lacking a coat closet or need to create a welcoming entryway. These are a few tips and tricks making the most out of a small space.

I did something today that I haven’t done in years; something that instantly made me feel more organized. It’s a small thing – not a big deal – but it had been nagging at me and I finally decided that today was the day I was going to do something about it.

Today I spent just 30 minutes gathering up all of our loose CD’s and DVD’s and I put everything back into its proper case. I know, it’s not exciting, but it’s one less thing now on my very long list of things that should be done, but I never get around to accomplishing.

Here are ten more things that you can do in less than thirty minutes to instantly feel more organized. Do one a day, one a week or one a month, but make 2011 the year that you start to feel a bit more organized.

I thought I had my mudroom perfectly organized for winter.  Each child had their own wicker basket tucked neatly under the bench.  Inside, they kept their fleece jackets, snow pants, hats, gloves and scarves.  Sometimes, I would even stuff their winter coats in the basket to make extra room on the hooks for backpacks and such.

Then, about 6 weeks ago, we brought home a new Labradoodle puppy, Fern.  When Fern isn’t being crate trained, she has the run of the kitchen and mudroom area.  This is perfect for quick exits into the backyard when she needs to do her business. 

From the moment you awake until the time your head hits the pillow, it is go, go, go.  I don’t know anyone who feels like there are enough hours in the day.  We have to prioritize and things inevitably get pushed to the wayside.  In the midst of trying to meet the needs of children, a spouse and a boss, it’s hard to stay organized. 

Look under your kitchen sink.  Do you see a collection of old florist vases?  No?  Are they somewhere in your basement?  Perhaps they are hiding in the pantry, laundry room or utility room.  We all have them.  It’s one of those things that we hate to throw away, but also something that never seems to get reused.

How about reusing them for a purpose other than holding flowers?  I’ve repurposed flower pots, vases and cachepots for years.  Here’s how.

A neighbor called me the other day asking to borrow a can of tomato paste.  “Of course,” I said.  “Come right over.”  So, I open my pantry, dig around a bit and pull out two cans of tomato paste only to discover that they both had expired over two years ago. 

At first I was horrified, but then I realized that this is not uncommon.  Pantries all across America are stuffed full of expired food items. 

Go through your pantry and add up what you’ve spent on food items that are now expired.  You will probably be surprised at the amount of wasted money.  This is reason enough to get your pantry cleaned out and organized because you need to SEE what you have in order to USE what you have. It also helps to keep a grocery shopping list so that you can reflect on what you think you need. Take a look in your pantry – you may already have everything on your list!

My brother likes to joke that our entire toy collection fit in a shoebox when we were growing up and that it took two U-hauls for toys alone the last time I moved. We really do not have that many toys, but like most families these days, the toys can get out of hand.

Bursting at the seams and need new ideas on how to store your stuff? Then you are in luck. There are so many ways to organize and get your belongings under control these days. And, yes, storage can be stylish with a little thought and planning.

It is so easy to make a mess of your craft space. Having structure and organizing your supplies and space is crucial. Let us show you how!

Most of us have a kitchen junk drawer or an equivalent hiding spot for random items that do not have a real home around the house. Looking through the junk drawer is just like Christmas. You never know what surprises are waiting in the junk drawer, and some of them are not so pleasant. Really now, who jammed the used tooth brush in there?