The age old saying, "a place for everything and everything in its place," is an ambitious goal. It's not easy being organized.

Ironically, despite the fact that contemporary Americans control the largest amount of private housing space per person in the history of urban civilization, most American families are faced with a storage crisis. In fact, UCLA researchers showed that of 32 families in a recent study, 75 percent had put so much "stuff" in their garages that not even one car could fit in the space. As one UCLA anthropology researcher noted, "storage has become an overwhelming burden for most middle class families."

As the $6 billion storage and organization continues to grow briskly, a plethora of storage related products are coming on the market to fill every organization niche. Organization products and services are now being made and tailored for very specific needs.

So where do you begin to first de-clutter your home?

Step 1: Decluttering
Many experts agree the simplest way to start the organization process is to go room by room, and assemble four big boxes and label them as TRASH, GIVE AWAY/SELL, STORAGE and PUT AWAY.

Trash: This is the pile that contains items that you no longer need or want and are not donate able or sellable. Damaged items go in this pile.
Give Way/Sell: Be generous with this pile. Think about the benefits that someone legitimately may have from some marketable product in your home.

Storage: Put items here that you can't part with and do not need on a regular basis. Group similar items together so that the next time you are looking for the item; your search will be faster.

Put Away: This should be the smallest category. These are items that need to be out on a regular basis and probably need some type of organization system to contain or store the products. If the items in this pile do not fit into your home without further cluttering, then reassess whether they should be in this pile or one of the other three piles. Remember, this is the pile that may require the purchase of storage products or services.

Step 2: Finding Storage Solutions
Work one room at a time and don't look back. Resist the temptation to go back and reevaluate the clutter. Think about how you want the space to look AFTER you've organized it and approach the problem with the end in mind. Resist the temptation to buy lots of storage knick knacks-most are inadequate unless you first de-clutter and evaluate the space.

When the time comes to evaluate the storage options you have in your home, remember there are four basic types of storage.

Open Storage: Examples here include bookcases, shelves, hooks, cabinets, cubbies. This type of storage can be visually distracting unless the materials are carefully arranged. Use this type of storage for books, framed art, art objects, accessories and collectables. Place any items that are unattractive inside of closed containers or baskets, and then place these baskets on the shelves.

Closed Storage: Examples here include closets, armoires, buffets, chests file cabinets and under-bed storage systems. These are the perfect places for those items in the PUT AWAY and STORAGE category, that you really don't need that frequently.

Convenient Storage: Closets, furniture and visible storage areas within a room.
Any storage located within a room and for items that you use or need frequently, would be an example of products stored in these spaces. The point is, they have to be readily accessible and grouped in such a manner that you remember where the items are located.

Remote Storage: Storage in areas like a remote closet, basement, attic or garage.
Use this type of storage for seasonal storage, holiday decorations, sports equipment and unneeded files.

Step 3: Don't be Afraid to Call in the Pros
After you've de-cluttered and reviewed existing storage options in your home, don't be afraid to call in the professionals at a closet or home organization firm. You'd be surprised at how efficient existing storage areas can become, once they are designed to fit the products that you wish to keep. It may be helpful to get a second opinion from a trained professional. And don't worry-they've seen it all! Chances are, what you may think is an absolute disaster zone, can be easily tamed with their professional products or services.

Resources:

• California Closets Austin, (512) 441-6061; San Antonio, (210) 829-1991
• Garage Tek Austin, (512) 977-8223; San Antonio, (210) 558-8223
• Premier Garage (512) 259-9911
• Closet Tailors (512) 257-7755
• More Space Place (512) 419-7911
• Crate and Barrel www.crateandbarrel.com
• Container Store www.containerstore.com
• Hold Everything www.holdeverything.com

Tips to De-Clutter Your Life

• Have a dedicated work space for processing bills and general home organization.
• Trash non-deductible receipts immediately (groceries, dry cleaning).
• Go paperless-scan receipts when possible and sign up for online bill pay.
• File bills after they've been paid by month rather
  than type.
• Pay bills immediately if you can, store only what's left.
• Stick to whatever system works.