Tired of dealing with clutter? Want to make this new year the time you finally get organized? Here are some tips for making that happen.

1. Get rid of the clutter

You don't want to put effort into organizing things you don't even want to keep. So the first step in any organizing project is to decide which things don't add value to your life: the unitaskers you got as gifts ages ago and never used, the broken whatever that you are realistically never going to fix, tools that never did work well for you (and have been replaced by better ones), expired medications, chargers for electronics you no longer own, etc.

Yard sale: tools by Dudley B. Batchelor, Jr., licensed under Creative Commons

And then decide whether to sell, donate or give away these items—or trash them, if they are things that won't be useful to anyone. Selling things can take a lot of time, so it often helps to set a guideline as to how much you would need to earn for the sales effort to be worth your time. If you hate haggling over prices, you can sometimes sell to places that make firm offers: Gazelle for electronics, Replacements for china, crystal and silver, etc.

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Donating unused items usually gets things out of the house, studio or office quicker than selling does, and may provide a tax benefit. I'm also fond of using freecycle to give away all sorts of things, including some that are hard to donate: books with highlighting, shampoo bottles that were used once or twice, etc. It's easy, with people coming to pick things up (such as all those books on my front porch) so I don't need to do a drop-off. And I get the satisfaction of knowing my items (or those of my clients) are being used and appreciated. 

Photo by Montgomery Cty Division of Solid Waste Service, licensed under Creative Commons

Some items require special disposal, including household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, batteries, etc.), electronic waste and prescription medicines. Be sure you know how your locale handles such items.

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2. Give everything a home 

You can't put things away (and expect to find them again) unless they have a defined home: a section of a closet, a drawer in a file cabinet, a specific storage bin, etc. For frequently used items, it's best if that "home" is easy to access and close to where the item is used. 

Since you've already removed the clutter, you'll be able to evaluate what additional containers you need (if any): plastic bins, a shoe rack, a desk organizer, etc. Try to keep containers such as bins and file cabinets no more than 80 percent full, so it's easier to take things out and put them away.

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Some of my favorite containers are these handled baskets, which make it easy to pull things down from a shelf. They work well in kitchen cabinets and pantries—and in closets used to store things like suntan lotion and bandages. They are tall enough and sturdy enough to hold things that many other baskets can't.

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3. Make it easy

Hooks are easier to use than hangers, so consider them for things like coats and bathrobes that get used all the time. 

Have plenty of wastebaskets around—and recycling bins, if you recycle a lot. (Make sure it's easy to tell which container holds the trash and which holds the recycling.)

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4. Use tools you love (and are right for you)

Within your budget, get tools that are a pleasure to use, especially if you use them often. I've seen people struggle with flimsy 3-hole punches and bad staplers; a heavy-duty 3-hole punch and a good stapler are well worth the investment. A good shredder can be invaluable, too.

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Also consider your personal preferences. Would you like a physical alarm clock, or is an app just fine? Do you prefer a paper calendar/planner and address book, or do you want digital versions? Do you want your containers to be attractive, or are you fine with simple plastic boxes? Do you prefer open storage with everything visible, or do you want things hidden away?

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5. Keep things safe

Ensure that anything that could be dangerous to kids or pets is kept somewhere they can't get to it. A locking cabinet for medicines is one way to handle that, but also consider how you store knives, cleaning supplies and other sharp or toxic items.

And make sure furniture pieces such as bookshelves are bolted to the wall if there's any danger of earthquakes or if there are small children around who could try to climb on them.

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6. In small spaces, look for storage everywhere

Storage can be added to the back of cabinet doors and along the bottom of a kitchen cabinet. Under-the-bed storage is another option. Storage can be built into stools and ottomans. And, of course, there are all sorts of ways to make good use of the walls.

But also be realistic. If you have a small space, it may not make sense to buy food, cleaning supplies and such in large quantities and huge packages.

Powered by Paper, by Brian Burger, licensed under Creative Commons

7. Remember the staying organized is an ongoing process

Once you've got your space organized, consider what your maintenance routine is going to be to ensure it stays organized. Things get used and need to be returned to their homes; new things (like mail) come in. 

Also, realize that your organizing system will probably need to evolve over time. You may find that something just isn't working well, and you need to make some tweaks. Or your needs change over time; for example, you may pick up a new hobby, with associated stuff that needs a storage place.