• Holding onto items "just in case" will only turn your room into a makeshift storage shed. Decide what you really need, based on what you have space for, and get rid of the rest.

• It can be difficult to ask for help, but if you need it, ask. A job like getting organized or even maintaining what you have can be hard for one person. Asking for help and spreading out the responsibility can make the process easier.

• Just because something was a gift, doesn't mean you have to keep it. It truly is the thought that counts, so remember the love with which a gift was given. If you aren't using the item, however, get it out of the house.

• Collectibles are great — and even better when you have a place to display them. If you have the space, put your collection out. No one can appreciate it when it's hidden in a box or tucked away in a corner.

• Empty boxes are clutter. Keeping them "just in case," or "if we ever have to move," is a waste of valuable space. A box is easy to acquire once you need it. Get rid of boxes once you open them, and free your space for the here and now.