Product Review

Our homes are extensions of ourselves. When our home environment is cluttered, it takes extra time and energy to find things. Instead of living with that stress and anxiety, imagine how much simpler and more peaceful life could be with a little strategic organizing. It's helpful to find creative ways to use space effectively. The following home organization products can help us take control of our homes and lives.

{$22.99 on Amazon}

Food storage containers are handy for leftovers, meal prepping, and other kitchen uses. But keeping them organized can be a nightmare.

This adjustable organizer means your storage containers take up less space, and a matching lid is always at your fingertips.

{$18.99 on Amazon}

Pots and pans of all different shapes and sizes take up an abundance of space. This adjustable organizer rack allows you to fit more and quickly find what you need so you can utilize your time cooking.

{$50 on Burke Décor}

A cluttered kitchen makes it more challenging to cook and clean when there's insufficient counter space. Stick this magnetic storage rack to your fridge. It can hold your most used items like paper towels, spices, cookbooks, and oven mitts.

{$31.47 on Amazon}

Use the empty space behind your pantry door to store and organize pantry items. This organizer makes it easy to grab things you use frequently or that you need to remember to use first.

{$17.99 on Amazon}

Get rid of big bulky tea boxes and keep your teabags organized. That way, you can see what you have and what's running low. The Mind Reader 9 fits tea bags and even has room for creamers, sweeteners, or coffee pods.

{$52.05 on Amazon}

Utilize the space over your toilet to store extra toilet paper, sanitary products, tissues, cleaning products, toiletries, spare hand towels, and anything else you need to keep in the bathroom.

{$14.97 on Amazon}

Drawers can quickly become a mess when searching through them for specific clothing items. A drawer divider set can help you keep smaller pieces like scarves, ties, socks, and undergarments separate and organized.

{$47.99 to $55.99 on Amazon}

When organizing in a smaller space, you want items to be useful in more than one way. An ottoman bench can be placed at the end of the bed, in an entryway, or in the living room for extra seating space.

{$11.98 on Amazon}

These pants hangers use a tiered system to fit up to five pants or similar clothing items on one hanger. As a result, you have more room and can quickly find the clothing you need.

{$25.99 to $39.99 on Amazon}

Store out-of-season fabric items in vacuum-sealed bags to save storage space and keep items clean. You can use the bags for offseason sheets, comforters, sweaters, or even cushions and pillows.

{$9.87 on Amazon}

These shoe organizers hang over the door and can store shoes, but also cleaning supplies, snacks, beauty products, accessories, and more.

Clear pockets mean you can easily see what you need to access.

{$32.99 on Amazon}

Sinks often have a large cabinet area underneath to accommodate plumbing, making the cabinet space awkward to use. This organizer has adjustable shelves that can move horizontally to fit around hardware, providing you multiple levels so you can utilize more space.

{$59.99 on Amazon}

This dish drying rack uses wasted space around the sink, so your countertops stay clear. It allows dishes and utensils to drip directly into the sink as they dry. You can even store frequently used kitchenware there. The rack can also hold freshly washed fruits and veggies.

{$32.99 on Amazon}

This organizer provides a single place to organize all your gift wrap, bows, ribbons, cards, and gift bags, plus the tape and scissors. It keeps everything in one spot for easy last-minute gift wrapping and can slide under a bed or into a closet, so it's out of the way.

{$33.63 on Amazon}

Organize your pantry by eliminating bags and boxes of various sizes with this uniform container set. Clear sides help you see when you're running low, so there are no surprises when you go to grab your favorite snack.

Space can be a scarce commodity in smaller homes, but the way you organize and the styles of furniture you choose can make a big difference. Try the following ideas to make the most of every nook and cranny.

When shopping for living room furniture, take heed. The size that furniture appears in showrooms is deceiving. Measure both the width and depth of sofas and chairs, and opt for smaller styles. In small living rooms, sectionals offer the most seating while taking up the smallest amount of space. Select a recliner instead of a chair and ottoman. That way, when the footrest isn't in use, it can be stored away. To create storage space in your family room, choose end tables and a coffee table with drawers and cabinets.

Arrange all the furniture against the walls if possible. If there isn't wall space for a sofa or chair to back up to, place a cabinet and table lamp behind it to serve as an end table.

They don't call it a mess hall for nothing! Underutilized gadgets and gizmos take up precious kitchen space. Take inventory and eliminate non-essentials. Also, better utilize your cabinet space by purchasing additional shelving or small stackable organizers. If you are replacing your cabinets, buy taller ceiling height cabinets. The top shelves provide extra storage for seldomused essentials. Also add corner shelving to the outside ends of your cabinets for knick-knacks, a fruit basket, and other odds-and-ends.

For tight eating areas, consider purchasing a rectangular corner table with "L" shaped bench seating.

Buy shallow cardboard containers to slide under the bed or stack in the closet for off-season clothing. Under the bed can also be used for storing holiday decorations, gift-wrapping, keepsakes and more. Also, consider converting your closet to double hanging rods to make it more functional. Does your bedroom serve as a home office by day? If so, invest in a Murphy's bed. Just press a button, and your bedroom is transformed as the bed mechanically folds into a wall cabinet.

Install a wall-mounted light above a reading chair or your headboard to eliminate a table or nightstand. When choosing window coverings, forego drapes and curtains. Venetian or wood blinds or decorative shades with a valance on top will create the illusion of more space.