Organization experts say you're cluttering your home if you aren't doing any of these simple things

“Unless you are planning to enter the Tour de France, bikes tend to be a seasonal item, especially for those of us who live in northern climates,” jokes Courtney Cummings, the founder of The Stylish Organizer. That’s why she recommends these bike storage racks that mount on the wall. “Using the untapped vertical space in your garage is a great way to keep the clutter from taking over,” she adds. Two come in a pack.

Foldable camping chairs are convenient to have, but storing them between uses is tricky. Cummings offers this wall-mounted rack as a solution since it keeps “your chairs accessible and off the ground.” She shares you could also use it for umbrellas, beach towels, yoga mats, and more. And there are hanging hooks as well.

Don’t leave a ladder leaning against your garage wall — it could topple over. Instead, Cummings recommends this ladder hook to securely hang it up “for security and safety (and accessibility).” Made from heavy-duty rustproof metal, the hook supports up to 50 pounds, and it installs with a pair of screws.

Cummings recommends grabbing this extra-large basket — that’s made from cotton with carrying handles — for a special purpose. “Throughout the day as you find toys, books, clothes, etc. that aren’t where they are supposed to be, drop them in the ‘Later’ basket,” she shares. Then, at the end of the day, go through the items and return them to their rightful spot. It’s a simple concept that’ll help cut down on clutter. Choose from lots of shades in the listing.

Cummings shares that kitchen counters are a common spot for clutter to accumulate — it’s likely where you toss down your keys, mail, wallet, etc. as you walk in the door — creating a visual eyesore. She recommends creating a designated home for these items with this wall-mounted organizer. It’s made from wood with a modern design.

Gala Magriñá, the principal of Gala Magriñá Design and a holistic interior designer, focuses on making spaces both pretty and practical, and this cord cover kit is one example of a product that can help achieve this. It can “neatly contains wires, creating a cleaner and more peaceful environment.” The kit is straightforward to set up, covering up to 157 inches of cables with the various pieces. And it can be painted to blend in with the wall.

Another option for minimizing cord chaos? Braided cable sleeves like these from ZhiYo. “I love these because they create the illusion of having one streamlined cord while keeping multiple cables tucked away inside,” shares Magriñá, who adds that it’s a quick fix. The two sleeves are each 5 feet long for 10 feet of total coverage.

Melanie Summers, the organizing specialist at I Speak Organized, favors a mesh storage bin like this as a solution “for containing balls, water toys, and yard gear—plus they allow dirt and sand to fall through.” The bin has wheels to move it wherever needed, though they lock to stay put once there.

Magnetic strips like these are a multipurpose storage solution. “Mount a magnetic strip in your garage to corral tools—but in summer, use it to hold BBQ tongs, skewers, or bottle openers during outdoor gatherings,” shares Summers. Each of these four strips is 12 inches long with the ability to hold up to 22 pounds.

“Cords create clutter fast,” explains Kelly Livingston, owner of Professional Organizer MN. Luckily, these cable ties can manage it “in nearly every area of your home,” she adds. Each of the 60 nylon ties is 6 inches long with a hook-and-loop closure to stay securely wrapped. They’re reusable.

Livingston also points to these cord organizers that “can go a long way in cutting visual clutter.” They feature 3M adhesive to stick onto small appliances (like air fryers, blenders, toasters, etc.) or surfaces like the wall or tiles, and then they can be used to wrap up an electronic cord when it's not in use. Six are included.

Liora Seltzer, the owner of What U Keep, LLC., has a special trick up her sleeve. Use this decorative tray “to bring items together in an [aesthetically] pleasing way,” she shares. So this could be spices, oils, and vinegar in your kitchen, perfume and lotion in your bathroom, etc. The rectangular tray is made from faux leather with polished gold handles that shine — lots of other colors can be found in the listing.

Seltzer favors these clear bins for storage. “Other bins that are not clear will make it so much harder for everyone to find things, which defeats the purpose,” she adds. The six bins in the set are versatile enough for use in almost any room, and they have a stackable design if you have the vertical space.

A tried and true method to get your home decluttered, per Seltzer? Set a timer for however much time you have that day — even if it’s just 15 minutes — and put away items or purge them during that period. Seltzer likes using this visual timer for this (and recommends it for her clients as well), since the digital display is easy to set and read.

Barbara E. Tanaka, a strategic home design and organizing advisor at Real Estate Bees, shares she keeps a bag hanging in her closet to toss in clothes or other items “that are worn out or no longer fit.” These two hanging bags are perfect for this strategy. They can be hung up with the included over-the-door chrome hooks (or the adhesive ones), and the circular opening front is easy to access — the bottom zippers for emptying.

Junk drawer a mess? Tanaka turns to these drawer bins, which she says “can make a huge difference—they help keep everything in its place and easy to find.” The set comes with 20 bins in various shapes, sizes, and colors, each of which is made from durable plastic to last.

“If you can’t see your spices, chances are you’ll end up buying duplicates,” shares Tanaka. This spice rack fixes this by magnetizing on spots like the side of your fridge. The six sections (that are made from see-through metal mesh) can be scanned with a glance.

Brooms, rakes, and other similar tools are tricky to store — they can’t stand on their own. This is why Tanaka suggests a wall-mounted holder that can “keep them off the floor and [make them] easy to grab when you need them.” She adds you can use it indoors or out as needed.

Don’t let shoes pile up in the entrance of your home. Jane Stoller, the founder of Organized Jane, says this five-tier rack “gives your shoes a designated space, keeps entryways clear, and uses vertical space wisely.” It has five tiers and room for up to 18 pairs, and the metal design and powder-coated finish combine for durability. It also comes in gold and black in the listing, as well as versions with fewer tiers.

Stacking purses on a closet shelf can cause dents or other damage — plus, it’s not the best way to maximize space. Instead, grab these purse organizers that Stoller confirms “creates tidy, visible storage and keeps your bags dust-free and ready to go.” Each of the two organizers has six hanging hooks (for up to 12 bags total) and a hook at the top to hang it from a closet rod.

Not only do these velvet hangers look more high-end in your closet, but they’re also less bulky than the plastic ones so “you will be able to hang more clothes than you originally anticipated,” explains Stoller. Velvet is naturally nonslip and this (plus the notched collar design) ensures your clothes won’t fall off as you try to figure out what to wear. Thirty come in a set.

Don’t let your bathing products take over your tub and shower ledges. This wall-mounted dispenser can be filled with three different products (like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.), and Stoller loves that it gives the space “a cleaner look and creates a spa-like feeling.” Waterproof labels are included.

Luggage racks aren’t just for hotels: Stoller says to use these two luggage racks in your guest room to “make guests feel at home and avoid cluttered corners.” Once your visitors depart, the racks fold flat for out-of-the-way storage.

These lipped turntables work “wonders in deep cabinets and fridges, ensuring nothing gets lost in the back and everything stays accessible,” shares Stoller. Each of the four organizers is 12 inches in diameter with a nonslip silicone surface (preventing items from shifting as it spins), as well as nonslip feet.

Stoller says that clutter often stems from items being miscellaneous. However, she says the way to fix this is to grab this label maker, then “name [the item], review what you actually need and do not need, and keep everything in its rightful place.” The device pairs wirelessly with your phone to create the labels, and it utilizes thermal technology to print them without ink.

Robyn Reynolds, the certified professional organizer and owner of Organize2Harmonize, calls this in-drawer knife organizer one of her favorites “because it not only reduces the clutter on the countertop but it holds lots of knives,” particularly when compared to a butcher block. The bamboo organizer features cork and rubber dividers that are gentle on blades and flexible by design.

Reynolds refers to these plastic storage bins as her “go-to” for every room in the house. “The size is great for any and everything such as craft items, kids toy cars and dolls, office supplies, cookie cutters, napkin rings, makeup, sewing supplies...the possibilities are truly endless,” she adds. The four clear bins come with secure lids that won’t accidentally pop off.

Another multitasker that Reynolds reaches for? This Command hook variety pack that’s useful “in the [kitchen] for pot holders and towels, bathroom for towels, squeegee, bedrooms for robes, closets, for hats, handbags, belts, scarves,” and more. The 19-piece kit includes picture-hanging strips, utility hooks, and wire hooks, none of which will cause damage to the walls.

The owner of Become Organized, Inc., Jessica Decker, says you can use these clear bins to contain clutter in deep drawers and cabinets alike. The four plastic bins stack (should you have more vertical space), and the cutouts on both sides make them easy to grab when necessary.

“This garden hose rest will keep your hose from getting kinked, stepped on, or run over by the lawnmower,” shares Amanda Wiss, the founder of Urban Clarity. It’s made from heavy-duty iron with an anti-slip rubber coating for grip. It fits any hose up to 100 feet in length.

Shower caddies like these inadvertently help you cut back on clutter. “By limiting the available space for toiletries, you’ll more likely avoid accumulating half-empty bottles of products,” explains Wiss. But don’t worry — each of these caddies still has plenty of room for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles. Plus, there are hanging hooks, and they install with adhesive strips.

When buying storage baskets or bins, Wiss stresses the importance of seeking out options with more rigid walls (rather than collapsible fabric ones) since they “will last longer, especially in high-traffic areas like a playroom.” With that in mind, she points to these four woven rope baskets that are plenty sturdy with dual cutout handles for carrying.

Diane N. Quintana, the founder of DNQ Solutions, says that while this 28-section over-the-door organizer is marketed as being useful for shoes (which it is), it has far more versatility than that. During summer, “place sunscreen, sunglasses, flip-flops, swim goggles, [in it.] Change it out in the winter and use it to hold gloves, woolly hats, and scarves,” she shares. Use the metal hooks for hanging.

An area you probably didn’t even consider for storage? Underneath beds. And Quintana points to these storage bins for this spot, since they’re “rollers, which make them easy to access.” The two bins have a clear top to keep track of the contents inside.

Sports equipment creates “clutter and tripping hazards when they are left here and there in the front entry or in the garage,” shares Quintana. To wrangle everything, use this metal organizer. It boasts four tiers, bat racks, and movable hooks for your various equipment, and the powder-coated surface prevents scratches and rust.

Macie Kreutzer, the professional organizer at For the Love of Simple, doesn’t solely use a magazine holder like this for magazines. “Depending on the aesthetic of your home and where you will be using them, magazine holders are helpful for organizing books, notebooks, file folders, recipes, mail, catalogs and reference manuals,” she shares. The holder is constructed from heavy-duty fiberboard with a water-resistant finish.

Maria Anderson, an organizing consultant at Henfield Storage, recommends mounting clear shelves like these “across a window to store jars of ingredients or other miscellaneous items” for a functional yet aesthetically appealing addition. The set includes a pair of 12-inch shelves that suction in place.

Can’t reach those high-up cabinets or shelves for storage? Don’t let that deter you, remarks Anderson. This step stool gives you over a foot of extra boost. It can support up to 300 pounds, and it folds flat for compact storage afterward.

Anderson shares that you could hang a fruit basket like this from the ceiling or below a cabinet. “This alternative keeps the items visible and easily reachable while keeping your counter and fridge space clutter-free,” she adds. It features three woven cotton baskets with a secure loop at the top for hanging.

“Take advantage of the backside of cabinet doors by using over-the-door organizers to hold small things like cleaning supplies, or condiments, utilizing every inch of your space,” explains Anderson, and these stick-on ones fit the bill. The clear design allows you to identify the contents quickly, and each one in the pair supports up to 11 pounds.

It’s smart to use every inch of wall space for storage. And this tiered bookshelf allows you to utilize even the tricky corners. “Perfect for displaying decor or keeping books in tiny spaces, they are super functional and add a modern look to your space,” adds Anderson. It’s simple to assemble and install, confirmed by reviewers on the site. Choose from six colors in the listing.

Katie McCann of Haven calls out these wire organizers that “provide extra storage in a garage, attic or basement.” The four shelves can be adjusted in 1-inch increments for a custom storage setup, and each one can hold up to 350 pounds (so 1,400 pounds max), thanks to its steel construction.

McCann uses these exact clip-on labels “on canvas bins that you cannot stick labels onto.” Or, they’d work on most other containers that need help in the organization department. Ten label holders come included, as do 60 waterproof chalkboard stickers that you can write on.

Valley Organizing owner Christian Pfeiffer utilizes these six clear dividers to “help keep clothing, towels, or handbags neatly stacked on shelves.” He adds that they’re easy to slide in place (no tools or assembly required), and the rounded corners won’t cause damage to the shelves or your items.

Christina Giaquinto, a home organization expert at Modular Closets, calls these pant hangers “a must for organizing jeans, trousers, scarves and more while maximizing space in your closet,” since the tiered shape takes up far less room. The open-ended design allows for easy access to the pants you want to wear on any given day. They come as a pair.

“It is so important to keep jewelry organized, because necklaces can get tangled, earrings can easily be misplaced, and more,” explains Giaquinto. And her best solution for this is this hanging organizer, which has 80 individual storage compartments. “The transparent PVC windows make it a breeze to find the jewelry pieces you need at a glance,” she adds.

These heavy-duty hooks are versatile, recommended straight from Giaquinto. “I've used these wall hooks in my home's entryway, in the bathroom, and in my closets,” she adds. Made from durable zinc, each of the 10 hooks in the set can hold up to 40 pounds, and the double-hook design maximizes your hanging space. They come with hardware for hanging.

“You are cluttering up your home office if you don’t have an organization plan in place for all of the papers, mail, and important documents on your desk,” says Giaquinto. But she has a simple, low-cost fix: These storage containers that are made from clear plastic (so you can see what’s inside at a glance) with latch lids to keep out dust and debris. Four come in a pack.

Tony Ditzler, the president of ShelfGenie, favors pull-out spice racks like these. “This solution eliminates cluttered shelves and makes cooking smoother and more enjoyable, significantly enhancing everyday kitchen functionality,” he adds. Each two-tier rack in the set is spacious enough for various spices, and labels are included (some preprinted, others blank) to up your organization.

Don’t forget about your garage. These galvanized steel pegboards transform “garage walls into versatile organizational hubs,” shares Ditzler. “Its sturdy design can handle heavy tools and equipment, creating a visually appealing workspace.” A range of solid color options can be purchased via the listing.