Cut the clutter: How to turn your home's chaos into harmony

The stack of shoes that pile up by the front door, the linen closet that you're afraid to open, the junk drawer that may well hide the mysteries of the universe -- we all have one or two spots in our home that cry out for organization and tidying. With a plan of attack, you can clear away clutter, organize underutilized spaces and generally improve the overall usability of your home.

Try these room-by-room tips for getting organized:

Cutting kitchen chaos

* Nearly everyone has one drawer in their kitchen that becomes the "catchall spot." Empty yours, wipe down the inside and insert a silverware tray to help organize pens, batteries, buttons, random screws and other items that find their way into the drawer.

* Every family needs a central spot for sharing information. But if a cork board, white board or chalkboard isn't your idea of wall decor, try hiding them away on the inside of a kitchen cabinet. Mount a cork panel on the inside of a cabinet door or use chalkboard paint to create a hidden and useful spot for notes, shopping lists, coupons and reminders.

* You likely sweep the kitchen floor daily, but floors can also benefit from a good steam cleaning at least once a week. Steam cleaners deeply penetrate dirt and remove messes mops might leave behind.

* Organize the cupboard and pantry by using boxes, jars and baskets with labels on them. When it's time to put an item away, everyone will know where it belongs, rather than be tempted to toss it randomly into a cupboard.

Better bathrooms

* Bathroom drawers can easily become cluttered. Place desk organizing trays in drawers so items like makeup, combs and curling irons stay neat and orderly. A bit of Velcro keeps trays in place and makes it easy to remove them when it's time to clean them out.

* The cabinet under the sink can be a scary place. Baskets bring organization and style to under-sink storage spaces.

* Not everything needs to be hidden away. A basket makes a great way to cleverly display toilet paper and still make it easily accessible. Placing grooming supplies in a tiered serving tray brings organization, style and convenience to a bathroom.

* Scent is a key concern in bathrooms. Scrubbing the shower, floors, toilet and sink until they sparkle is a good start, but sometimes baths need a scent boost. Try placing scented candles in the bathroom to help neutralize odors and add a fresh, welcoming aura to the room.

Lighten the load in laundry rooms

* Even small laundry rooms often have unused space above the washer and dryer where you can install shelving for storage. Head over to your local home improvement store for a variety of shelving to store detergents, stain removers and fabric softeners.

* Add a rolling cart or laundry butler to your laundry room. It's a great way to add organization and function to the space, helping keep clothes off the floor -- plus, they're simple to transport.

* Laundry rooms are often overlooked in the décor department, but a fresh coat of paint can really liven up a dingy, utilitarian room. Choose a bold and bright color -- the laundry room is about making things clean, so the room should inspire the vividness you want to achieve in your clothes.

Cleaning up closets

* Empty your linen closet and refresh all those stale sheets with a good wash. Keep sets together by bundling sheets and pillowcases together with a bit of ribbon. It also makes for a pretty display inside the closet.

* Swapping mismatched hangers for one type is a quick, easy way to make a closet look more organized, clean and stylish.

* Consider creating a cleaning closet or cabinet where all your cleaning supplies live. Having all supplies in one spot will make it easier to take stock and know what you need to buy on your next trip to the store.