We all have them. Those pesky parts of our home that just attract stuff, extra bits and bobs – clutter. Whether it’s your front hall, your bathroom or desk, certain areas in the home can easily become disorganized and filled with odds and ends that can be hard to get in order, or to find a proper place for. We enlisted the advice of Laura Stein of Laura Stein Interiors for the best tips and tricks for keeping disorderly areas in check and uncluttering your home in five steps. “A decluttered home is much more relaxing and comfortable. If everything has its place, the design can shine through,” she says.



1 Think about your home and your habits
“Think about how you use your home and the different activities that take place in each room,” says Laura. “Then create activity zones for each, with appropriate storage for the things you use most. Problems often arise when activities take place in areas that you weren’t expecting them to, like the kids brushing their teeth in the downstairs powder room instead of the upstairs bathroom.” Laura suggests adapting your organizational plan to fit into your family’s daily habits to make it easier. “Rather than trying to conform your family’s habits to your ideal organization, reform your organization plan to work with your family’s habits. It will be much easier for everyone to clean up and put things away.”

2 Add in shelving and drawers
One of the easiest ways to get rid of the clutter in your home is with the proper shelving and drawers. “Easy access drawers, containers with lids, and labels are an organized person’s best friends,” says Laura. One of the perfect places to use these storage solutions is in the front hall, known for being a tough spot to keep clean and clear. “The front hall is the first place things get dumped when someone comes home,” explains Laura. “Coats, boots, purses, keys, mail - somehow all of them need to fit in a small space.” She suggests installing shelving and drawers for storage, plus a shoe rack to keep things tidy. “Use a small console table with a drawer for keys and phones. If you have the space, designate a drawer for each person in the family. Develop a system for dealing with mail. Create a place to separate and file it so you can address it later and avoid piles of paper.”

3 Clear bathroom counters with a vanity with drawers
“ Bathroom counters can quickly get cluttered with toothbrushes, makeup, creams, and all sorts of other things,” says Laura. “To keep your counters clear, install a vanity with a number of drawers in various sizes designed to hold each type of item you use in the bathroom. Shallow drawers with dividers are great for toothbrushes and makeup. Use deeper drawers for bottles, lotions and hair styling supplies.” The old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place” is especially true in the bathroom. The best way to declutter is to have a home for every item. “Keep things organized under the sink with baskets or stackable plastic containers. No space for a vanity? A medicine cabinet or two can do the trick.”

4 Opt for built-in cabinets
Bedrooms, home offices, kitchens and living spaces can all become places to stow away items not used every day. “Built-in cabinets are one of my favourite ways to create storage and organize a space. They can be customized for any room and any need, from toy storage to toothbrushes.”

5 Clean up a small space
If your home is on the smaller side, it can be even trickier to keep things decluttered and organized, but a few tricks can provide some much-needed extra storage. “In a small space, find furniture pieces that are multi-purpose and have hidden storage,” advises Laura. “Take advantage of small nooks and crannies by installing shelving or cabinets. Favour drawers over cabinets with doors and shelves. They are easier to access and easier to keep organized.”