Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

1 Clutter accumulates quickly so staying on top of it regularly is a top priority for me both at home and at work.

2 Take an inventory of what you have and sort out items you no longer need. Set up bins and label them to sort belongings. Make it a project for the entire family.

3 If you're short on space, designate a tote bag or basket and keep it in a closet so that unwanted items can go right inside.

4 If you have the space in the basement or garage, set up a system for sorting items year round. Once a bin is full, donate it.

5 It's helpful for donation centers if you separate clothing from other household goods.

6 Make donations regularly. A good rule is when something new comes in, some old goes out.

7 Organizing a tag sale takes a little planning, but it's another great way to declutter.

8 Online auctions are a fun way to purge.

9 After the auction, pack up your goods and ship them out to the highest bidder.

10 Consignment shops are another alternative for getting rid of your unwanted stuff. Check before you haul though since they often specialize in a narrow range of merchandise.

11 The entry is one of the areas that can get out of control quickly. These rolling bins tucked under a bench keep belongings looking neat.

12 Hooks are another must in an entry. Great for jackets, keys and pet leashes. Hang a few baskets on them too for sorting mail.

13 A message board in an entry or mudroom keeps everyone organized and in the loop.

14 A roller shade installed above makes a perfect cover.

15 A tray in an entryway keeps boots and shoes neat and contained. In the spring, add some river rocks to help the water drain off and evaporate.

16 An entry should always include a landing place for keys, mail and other everyday essentials. A low console gives a modern look.

17 A marble shelf with carved brackets is the perfect fit for this formal entry.

18 As you change out clothes for the season, be sure to edit out clothing you haven't worn or anything that doesn't fit.

19 Changing out the hangers in your closet to one kind will make it look more orderly.

20 Desks are other places that accumulate clutter easily. A small picture ledge hung above is perfect for keeping accessories in reach and off your work surface.

21 Replace a desk blotter calendar with a more graphic wall calendar made with chalkboard paint.

22 Flip front kitchen cabinets work well in a home office to conceal supplies.

23 Accordion folders keep papers ordered and organized so that they can be found easily. No file cabinet needed.

24 The cubbies in this drop-down desk keep small items organized.

25 To keep small papers and notes from getting lost, use a cafe curtain rod and clips to hold them.

26 A curtain is a great way to close off an office space in from another space in a multipurpose room.

27 The desk in my bedroom has plenty of drawer space to keep supplies.

28 I use caviar tins that I've collected over the years to contain push pins, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.

29 Martha's office supply drawer in her kitchen stays organized with metal drawer dividers. Don't even think about removing the label maker.

30 These chunky, stacked shelves hold toiletries as an alternative to a medicine cabinet.

31 To maximize space in a traditional medicine cabinet, line the inside back of the cabinet and door with sheet metal, then use magnetic containers and hooks to hold supplies.

32 I keep my bathroom supplies on a silver tray on a shelf below my sink.

33 Built-in nooks around tubs and showers are made for holding soaps, shampoo and conditioner. I like them much better that shower caddies.

34 Martha's kitchen in Bedford is always the picture of organization.

35 Pin-up boards installed in this family's kitchen organize kids' art work and school papers.

36 Wall mounted bins labeled with family members' names keep things from getting misplaced.

37 Cleaning up as you cook instead of allowing pots and dishes to pile up makes clean-up after a meal much easier.

38 Opaque glass in cabinet doors gives the kitchen a light feeling while still concealing cabinet contents.

39 The risers in my cabinets keep my dishes and glassware in perfect order.

40 A simple cake stand on a kitchen counter can keep everyday essentials neat and within easy reach.

41 A junk drawer doesn't need to look junky. Wood organizers separate items to help you find what you need.

42 Get in the habit of sorting the mail as soon as you bring it inside. Doing it each day will only take a few minutes.

43 A made bed makes the entire bedroom seem more orderly.

44 Making your bed everyday will make you less likely to let other things pile up around it.

45 Sharkey loves to take naps on freshly made beds.

46 The slip-on cover for my bed makes it easy for me to make my bed up in no time every morning.

47 Wiping up spills while they're fresh makes them easier to remove.

48 Bar mop cloths are better than paper towels. More absorbent and reusable.

49 Sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner each night will keep dirt and grime from building up and make weekly mopping much easier.

50 Now that you've decluttered and cleaned up your home for spring, open the windows and sit back and enjoy it's sweet smells.