Declutter and Stress Less with These Smart Storage Solutions

"Too many people shop for containers first, figuring that will make it easy for them to get organized. But it's rarely true. All they end up with is more clutter because their empty containers are taking up space," says Sharon Lowenheim, a New York City organizer. Determine what you need to store, how much space it will take up, and the size of the space where it is going to be stored. Then buy storage containers accordingly.

Visit dollar stores for storage bins and baskets, then buy a bunch in the same color. Displayed in multiples, inexpensive plastic or cloth bins look calm and organized. Plus, they offer tons of storage space for a range of items, including toiletries, accessories, toys, and sports equipment.

"Fluctuating waistlines, happy memories, and sentimentality keep us holding on to items longer than we should. Simple solution: Place a large cloth bag on the floor of your closet. Each day, ask yourself three questions about one piece of clothing: (1) Is it flattering? (2) Do I love it? (3) Does it represent who I am today?" recommend Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore, authors of Pretty Neat. If the answer is no to any one of these questions, put the item in a box or bag to be donated.

Lots of bins can be counterintuitive to the process of decluttering, but in some cases, the more the better. For example, in kids' rooms, having several smaller bins designated for specific types of toys makes it easy for kids to find that one toy more quickly, as opposed to dumping a large container of miscellaneous toys on the elusive hunt.

Designate your nightstand as a clutter-free zone that's a pleasure to wake up to. Limit yourself to a reasonable number of books. Set out a tray to hold change and jewelry. If you have open space below, add a basket for blankets or magazines.

Is your linen closet overflowing? Pare down your stock to three towels and washcloths per person, two sets of sheets per bed, plus a set of each for guests, says Laura Wittmann, author of Clutter Rehab. Utilize baskets and bins for smaller items, like sewing and laundry supplies, to prevent clutter from piling up in your linen closet.

Each spring and fall, do CPR on your closet: Categorize, Purge, and Rearrange. Carefully consider each item in your closet. If it doesn't make you feel wonderful or look fabulous, it's a no. Put it in your donation box, and put that box in your car.

File away instruction books or warranty information in the same room as the item, and if you're storing multiples, organize the pile in a magazine holder. Staple the receipt and warranty to the cover of the manual. Or go paperless and visit the manufacturer's website to view or download the instruction manual. Have the model number handy when you go browsing.

Kathi Burns, author of How to Master Your Muck, recommends creating zones for kitchen tasks you do on a regular basis, such as making lunches or baking. Designate a shelf for everything you need for the job, including nonperishable foods and special tools or utensils.

Have a pile of cookbooks gathering dust? Scan and print the one or two recipes you use the most often, then donate the book, suggests Lorie Marrero, author of Clutter Diet. The same goes for recipes in magazines. Tear out the relevant pages, then recycle the rest. Put the pages into clear plastic pockets in a three-ring binder for a customized cookbook with plenty of room to grow. Alternatively, you can scan and save all your favorite recipes to your phone using digital apps, like Recipe Keeper and CookBook.

"Designate a place where papers will go—on a tray, in a magazine rack, or in a basket—and when they no longer fit, it's time to move them to the recycling bin," says Stacey Platt, author of What's a Disorganized Person to Do?. Remember to shred any mail with personal information before discarding.

Streamline your cleaning products into five basics: all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, wood polish, abrasive cleaner for bathroom and kitchen, and floor cleaner. Group one of each into a caddy that you can grab and go on cleaning day.

A system that's a natural extension of your habits is easier to stick with than one that forces dramatic change. So set up solutions right where clutter collects, such as a labeled rack for each family member's shoes or a bookshelf by the door with trays for each person's sunglasses, keys, and other small items.

Every three months or so, reserve one Saturday morning for a family cleanout. Set a timer for 30 minutes, and have each person find things in his or her space to donate or throw away. Box up donations and drop them off right away, then reward yourselves with lunch out.

Decide the dividing line between "keep" and "toss" before you start sorting. For example, if you're weeding through a lipstick collection, keep the ones you wear most often or are less than two years old, then toss the rest.

Use the backs of doors and cupboards for bonus storage space. Shallow shelves, hooks, and over-the-door organizers make convenient spots for items without a designated home. Lids for pots and pans, gift-wrapping materials, and shoes are all prime candidates for behind-the-door storage.

Keep a donation hamper in your closet, suggests Peter Walsh, organizing expert and author of Enough Already!.  Every two weeks, select an item of clothing you haven't worn in the past six months and throw it in. When the hamper is full, take it to a local charitable organization.

Sort sheets for each bedroom into designated bins. That way, finding the right linens for a specific room is a snap. Place a coated metal pan rack inside the bin to separate sets to make it easy to grab all the pieces when it's time to change the sheets.

Create an indoor mailbox in a central location. Set a time to go through the box once a week. Open everything, pay bills, file important correspondence, and recycle junk mail. Give frequently accessed papers (takeout menus, sports schedules, phone directories) a dedicated spot.

Related: 24 Effective Ways to Organize Important Papers, Bills, Receipts, and More

Don't get stuck at the grocery store without your reusable grocery bags again. As soon as you unload groceries, put the bags back in your car or on a designated hook by the door.

Make clutter-busting a family game. Write tasks on slips of paper and put them in a hat or basket. Each person chooses one, completes the task, then chooses another. After 30 minutes, whoever has the most slips of paper gets a prize, like a no-chores day or control of the TV remote.

Practice organizational layaway. Keep a box for things you're thinking about getting rid of but aren't sure you can part with. When the box is full, write the date on it and store it. After one year, if you haven't needed or missed anything in the box, it's time to toss or donate.

Claire Kurtz of The Well-Organized Woman suggests asking yourself three questions when you're trying to decide whether to keep something: "Do I love it?" "Do I use it?" "Could someone else use it?" If you no longer use or love an item, determine whether the item can be recycled or donated, or whether it's best to be discarded.

Invest in a tabbed expanding file folder for receipts and coupons. This puts everything you need for shopping at your fingertips. Label the tabs how you like—by store, by date, or by category.