There’s no such thing as an organized mess

Fabulous dinner? Check.

Emails up to date? You betch’a. Bills paid? Of course.

All of your things expertly organized and smartly stored to give you clutter-free calm? We knew there must be something that kept getting bumped to the bottom of the to-do list!

Getting organized can be easier than cramming everything into hidden nooks and crannies.

Homebasics (www.homebasics.ca) has some simple tips for taking control of the clutter.

Start by designating a spot for absolutely everything, grouped by similarity and frequency of use. For example, all your winter gloves can go in one spot, or all your morning beauty routine essentials. To hide the extras without making them impossible to access, look to downsize available storage space. Sound counter-productive? When you have too much room you wind up with that hastily stuffed-closet syndrome.

Buy some containers that slide under the bed and you create drawers, not an abyss. Hollowed-out ottomans give guests somewhere to sit and a spot for extra blankets. And a coffee table that slides open is perfect for DVDS and those magazines you keep meaning to get to.

The trick is then to set aside at least 15 minutes daily to pick up and put things away. That’s barely the TV commercial break – but will save you more than an hour and a half of hassle come the weekend.

Remember, there really is no such thing as an organized mess. The great sense of control you’ll feel is worth the extra effort to cut the clutter.