If you’ve kept an eye on the bestseller list this year, you know Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has struck a chord with readers and wannabe neat freaks all over the world. And it’s no wonder – when it comes to getting organized, who couldn’t use a little magic and a lot of guidance? But this read isn’t the only one out there if you’re seeking surefire organizational systems. For more on the subject, we’ve gathered books that explore tips and tricks for how to get organized.

• The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, by Francine Jay. This book is all about simplifying and paring down possessions. It includes a pep talk (especially helpful for pack rats), steps for reducing clutter, and even a room-by-room guide to cleaning. Best of all, you’ll find a discussion on how saving space in your closets can save the planet. 
• How to Get Organized: Organize Your Home and House and Get Rid of Clutter Now, by Esther Williams. Let’s face it, there are those people who have natural organizational talents and then there are those who move piles of papers around their desks and can’t find their keys in the morning. This book discusses how your personality affects your current cleaning techniques (we’re looking at you, Right Brain people). Our favorite takeaway: Have nothing in your home that you do not love, use or have the room to store. (We can definitely help with that last one!)
• 10-Minute Declutter: The Stress-Free Habit for Simplifying Your Home, by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport. Getting organized is a lot less daunting if it’s split in to 10-minute chunks. That’s the philosophy behind this book, which offers up a step-by-step plan (in easy-to-manage time slots) for sorting every space in your house.
• Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, by Karen Kingston. You know that deep-exhale feeling you get from an organized closet, a tidy workspace? This book helps you cultivate that positive energy by focusing on clearing clutter from your home and spirit.

It never hurts to have these books on your shelf when you’re trying to get organized, but a local, no-cost, clutter-free resource is our new Carolina Closet Company website, closetsbythesea.com. It features space planning ideas, organizational tips, and regular blog posts chock full of org-friendly ideas. We encourage you to check it out!

For the ultimate in organizational help, contact our professional designers who can listen to your needs, recommend the right products for your organizational goals, and envision a bright new future for a well-organized home.

With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Fred Kumpel is the owner of Strickland’s Window Coverings and Carolina Closet Company. Strickland’s Window Coverings is a window treatment design center specializing in custom blinds, shades, shutters and fabric treatments for more than 70 years. Carolina Closet Company provides professionally designed and custom-built organization solutions. Our complete line of home organization solutions includes Murphy Beds and unique solutions to organize closets, pantries, garages, basements and laundry rooms. To learn more, visit www.stricklandswindowcoverings.com and 
www.closetsbythesea.com. Fred can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 910.762.0944.