Organizing Mistakes That Make Your House Look Messy

"Having piles neatly lined up on the counter doesn't mean you're organized," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. If you find your flat surfaces filling with clutter, it's time to designate a spot for everything coming into your home. Once you get the hang of it, the piles will disappear.

Once you've cleared off what doesn't belong on the kitchen counter, don't forget to leave room for things you use every day. If you make daily smoothies, make a spot for the blender. It's easier to keep the surfaces clean and organized if you have what you need at hand and everything has a designated spot.

"A big, messy focal point is a refrigerator tacked with magnets and reminders and notes and letters and photos and wedding invitations and art projects and shopping lists," says professional organizer Jeni Aron. "Instead, keep one clipboard on your kitchen wall with all of the reminders and lists you need. When the clipboard is full, that's your maximum number of papers you can keep."

Another reason to skip the note-filled refrigerator? No one will read it! "You think everyone will see it, but actually no one does. They're just going for a drink," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. "Households need a place where people go for messages or mail or permission slips...an area where everyone knows things are kept." A built-in bulletin board, like this one, is the perfect solution.