Experts offer tips to get you started

Overwhelmed.

That's how people often feel when faced with a house full of clutter. Yet even the messiest house can be put to order with a little tenacity and a plan to keep the clutter from reappearing. Here's how:

Break it down

It looks like a lot, and it is. However, if you select one small area to organize and find success, soon that organization and success will multiply before you know it.

"I encourage clients to pick a particular room that's the messiest and just work on that," said Juli Brown of In Balance Organizing Services. "Sometimes it even means breaking it down into one section of a room, or maybe even just one shelf."

It takes time at the start

Clearing clutter takes time, so don't get discouraged. Clutter Coach's Jane Carroo suggests you get a clutter buddy, someone who can help you tackle the mess. Your buddy can either be a professional organizer or a friend who will help with the physical work as well as keep you motivated.

"Enlist help from your family," Carroo said. "Don't expect to do everything yourself. Others need to support your efforts and learn how to do things, too.

Adapt to lifestyle changes

"People don't want to accept when a lifestyle changes and clutter is often the result of this," said Jackie Tiani of Organizing Systems.

Get rid of things you don't use anymore. That means simplifying wherever possible. Ask yourself what the worst thing is that could happen if you dispose of some items. Even things such as owner's manuals for products you own can be tossed because the information is readily available on the Internet.

Organization is not just a one-time event. Develop a basic, ongoing routine to reduce clutter.

"Sometimes you have to literally schedule a block of time on your calendar for maintenance," Brown said. "If you schedule 10 to 15 minutes here and there to organize on an ongoing basis, clutter will take care of itself."

Do it now

Don't procrastinate, either, particularly if the task at hand only takes a few minutes. Also, group tasks together so they can be done at one time.

"One of my favorite solutions is what I call Jackie's Rule," Tiani said. "If it takes less than two minutes, do it now."

Put things away every day and put them in their place.

Create staging area

Lastly, forgive yourself from time to time, your home doesn't have to be perfect.

People often have the idea that an organized home is spotless. That's not necessarily the case. When working on a project, it's OK to have "staging areas" that appear disorganized but actually serve a purpose to move along work.

"If it's clean and neat and not in the way of everyday life, it's OK," Tiani noted.

- Arlene Miles