Tidy tips for the kitchen
Organise your kitchen to suit your lifestyle. Think about how you cook and entertain, then arrange everything for your convenience.

1. Open shelves do double duty between wall cupboards. They make a feature of your favourite containers while giving them an easily accessible home.

2. Drawers are more convenient than cupboards. But if a renovation isn’t on the horizon, install a lazy Susan or sliding baskets in your cupboards, advises professional organiser Wendy Hanes of Melbourne firm Skeletons in the Closet.

3. Organise your pantry by food type, says home expert Shannon Lush. Grouping items means no more messy rummaging at snack time.

4. Don’t overlook the fridge. Make it easy to find what you need by grouping jars and condiments into caddies, says Cathy Player of Howards Storage World.

5. Use clear storage containers so that contents are visible; otherwise, label them. Square and stackable ones are ideal for maximising space, says Hanes.

Smart looks for living areas
The living room is a magnet for odds and ends. Control chaos by creating a place for everything from books and newspapers to coats and CDs.

1. Go vertical with bookshelves and you’ll find that even a narrow wall can provide a tower of storage space.

2. Designate a shelf, drawer or container for your CDs and DVDs; it should be large enough to comfortably slot in every item. Place remote controls in a holder.

3. Create a ‘transit lounge’ for homeless items such as library books that are due or article clippings you’ve been meaning to give a friend, says Hanes. It could be a basket, box or even a shelf in a cupboard.

4. A coat rack is underrated. Place one at the entrance to your living area (if not at the front door) to discourage coats and hats from piling up on the furniture.

5. For avid newspaper and magazine readers, place a basket or rack next to a favourite armchair. Prevent overflow by recycling regularly and having a place to file away must-keep issues.

Bathroom storage tips
1. Mount a pretty wall cabinet above the toilet for bonus space.

2. Equip family bathrooms amply with hampers, shower caddies and extra towel racks.

3. Keep your beauty counter beautiful with an under-bench hair-dryer hook and a make-up caddy.

4. Maximise space under the basin by storing items in clear containers.

Beaut ideas for the bedroom
The secret to a restful bedroom is to keep your clothes from turning into clutter. Maximise wardrobe space and set up other storage areas.

1. Streamline your linen cupboard by creating sets to make the bed: tuck one pillowcase and a top and bottom sheet into the second pillowcase. When it’s time to change the sheets, grab a set and go.

2. Edit your clothes down to what you actually wear. Pack off-season clothes into clear containers and store in the least accessible area of the cupboard.

3. Kit out your wardrobe and dresser with  organisation helpers. For ideas, check out products from Howards Storage World  and Ikea (for wardrobe and drawer dividers) and Gladiator’s Garage (for heavy-duty hooks and racks).

4. Place a laundry basket where you undress – by the wardrobe or in the ensuite – to prevent dirty clothes from piling up on the floor or furniture.
 
5. For small spaces, use an over-the-door shoe organiser with pockets to store items such as gloves and sunglasses.

Home office help
Piles of paper are often the greatest enemy of the organised office. Make them your friend by creating a system for sorting, filing and recycling.

1. Create a workspace for little ones with lots of cube storage and a table for homework and crafts.

2. If you prefer a clear desk, install wall shelves. Otherwise, use desk organisers such as trays, standing files and binders.

3. Be ruthless about what papers should be kept. Place a recycling bin near your desk for convenient disposal. Sort the rest into three categories: active (goes in your accessible filing system), archival (to be stored away) or memorabilia (preserved for posterity away from the workspace).

4. Label cords and chargers for all your gadgets (laptop, camera, mobile, etc) to make it easier to find what you need, says professional organiser Wendy Hanes.

5. Learn how to file emails in folders within your email program. Being able to quickly retrieve them will reduce the temptation to print them out, says Hanes.