We all have forgotten spaces in our homes—the high clutter zones that seem to end up as a “catch-all” area for just about anything that comes through your front door. From soccer cleats to yesterday’s lunch, how can you control the chaos?

The attic, the garage, the basement, and the office are some of the biggest culprits. We’ve all seen the garage turned storage shed that no longer has space for your car. Or, the office turned catch-all that hasn’t been used for homework in months.

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and start tackling the organization of these often overlooked areas. Use this handy step-by-step guide to cleaning and organizing and you’ll be using these rooms for their original purpose in no time!

The Attic

• Store off-season clothing items in pop-up closets or on rolling racks.
• Maximize space with storage bins and shelving.
• Get items off the floor with hooks and pegs, using a handy pegboard.
• Consider airtight, space-saving bags for winter clothes.
• Create zones for your storage, making any item easy to classify and, later, find.

The Garage

• Store small parts like screws or nails in small jars or containers.
• Organize larger items in storage bins, and label them accordingly.
• Use masking tape to help kids remember where to park their bikes.
• Label where everything goes so putting things away is a breeze.
• Consolidate like items together, which keeps everything organized.

The Basement

• Install sturdy shelving on the underside of your stairs for added storage.
• Transfer leftover paint for touchups into small containers for easy storage and use.
• Organize cleaning supplies by type, and store them out of children’s reach.
• Label any pipes (water, gas, etc.) for easy emergency shutoffs.
• Make sure you are using the proper containers for storage, since basements can be chilly and damp.

The Office

• Keep cords organized by bundling and labeling them.
• Organize household paperwork with portable banker’s boxes.
• Add extra storage with bookcases, shelves, or filing cabinets.
• Use in-drawer dividers to keep little items like paperclips and pushpins organized.
• If you tend to make piles of paper, look for binder clips that feature erasable labels, making it easy for you to organize your papers.