Do you feel overwhelmed by clutter in your home? Does the job of cleaning your home feel like an unsurmountable task? If so, you definitely aren’t alone. However, there is a way out of the clutter black hole. Simply borrow these habits from certified “neat freaks” and you’ll be on your way to a tidier home that you can truly enjoy.

Get Rid of Unused Items

It’s not new news: the more you have, the more you have to pick up and clean. Take the first step to a clean home, that stays clean, by selling or donating the items you don’t need. Whether you want to follow the KonMari Method for tidying by category or simply go through unused items—think clothes, kitchen appliances, toys and books to start—as you have the opportunity, you’ll find that a clean home is one that isn’t overstuffed by items that you don’t need or even want.

Once you’ve finished purging the items that you don’t want, it’s important to keep the clutter down to a minimum. Keep your goals in mind when you are considering purchasing new items, and consider if it’s something that you truly want before you bring it into your home. You can also make it a regular habit, once or twice a year will do, to do another review of you home and get rid of those unused items.

Have a Space for Everything You Keep

One of the most important steps in keeping a neat and organized house is making sure that everything has a space. Take a look at your home, moving from room to room and identifying the items that are causing your space to look and feel cluttered.

Are your bedroom closet and dresser drawers overstuffed with clothes? If so, it makes it hard to put away clean clothes, and even harder to pull out an outfit for the day. If you’ve already gone through and donated items you no longer wear, you may consider adding extra storage to your bedroom for out-of-season items, accessories that you don’t need frequently, shoes and more. You don’t even have to take up extra, limited floor space. Instead, invest in a storage bed with drawers under the sides or foot of the bed. It’s an easy way to make sure you have a space to put all of your bedroom items.

Continue your review of your home in your living spaces. What causes most of the clutter in your living room? If you have young kids, it may be books or toys. Consider adding a storage ottoman, which can be used to tuck these items out of site when they aren’t in use, and can serve as extra seating, a comfy foot rest, or even be used in place of a traditional coffee table.

Is your entryway a mess? A hall tree or storage bench can give you a place to put away backpacks, coats, umbrellas and more. You can add decorative storage baskets to further organize outdoor accessories and other items. Do you always have trouble finding your keys? A foyer table with a little basket can make a neat and tidy spot to drop keys and other small items.

Is your kitchen your “trouble spot”? Read our tips for clearing kitchen clutter.

Do your kids’ bedrooms or playroom need extra organizational help? Get playroom plan ideas.

By identifying the “trouble spots” in your home and adding shelves, storage baskets and bins as needed, it will be easier to put all of your belongings back where they belong—and out of your way!

Give Yourself a Good Start

An easy way to set the tone for cleanliness and productivity is to make your bed as soon as you wake up in the morning. It may seem like a small, insignificant task, and it only takes a few minutes, but it can give you a sense of accomplishment that you can carry into the rest of your day. Plus, who doesn’t love crawling into a nicely made bed after a long day.

Clean as You Go

While regular deep cleanings are needed, you can keep a tidy home by being in a constant state of cleaning. Does this sound awful? It’s not as hard as it seems. Simply pick up one or two items as you move from room to room throughout your day. The more you practice, the better habits you’ll form. Don’t let your rejected outfits or dirty laundry pile up in your bedroom. Instead, hang up any items you don’t wear and throw dirty laundry directly in a hamper. Load the dishes after each meal and snack, so you don’t have to face an overwhelming pile of dirty dishes at the end of the day. Have the kids clean up their books, puzzles and toys before they move on to the next thing.

Need more deep cleaning tips? Read our spring cleaning tips and tricks.

By following these clean home habits, you can enjoy a more organized home, spend less time worried about the mess, and more time enjoying your space with your family and friends.