Do feel like you have too much stuff and not enough space to keep it in? I like the cartoon Mouse and Mole when they are attempting to rid their little home of clutter and Mouse says, “You can have stuff or you can have space, but you can’t have both.” Well these days with a little innovation you can have both.

Below I’ve listed a few of my favorite ways to maximize storage in the home.

1. Behind Closed Doors: Is my favorite way to store excess items in the home. There are so many good over the door organizers on the market you can find one for almost every purpose in your home. I use three kinds right now. One for the ironing board and iron . One for brooms, mops, and a few cleaning supplies. And one (in each bedroom) for robes and the like. Using up that excess behind the door space in ingenious ways.

2. Above Your Head: To get an idea of this visit an Ikea store. Think up. My husband, being the hands on man he is, really took to this. Wanting to get some items that we will be needing in the near future but just not now (Say baby items) out of the way he went out and purchased some of those garage ceiling organizers. Now I personally stay away from the whole thing but it does get those items up and out of our way until needed.

3. Underfoot: Never underestimate the space under your bed or couch. Currently our bed holds my entire workout collection which is not small. Owning nearly all of The Firm videos, a number of the Kathy Lee, and Denise Austin videos and a few odds and ends from other fitness experts the best and easiest place for me to have these is under our bed. I purchased under bed plastic storage drawers and with the spines up I can grab what will be my torture device for the day in an instant.

4. Stuff it In: Double duty furniture can be a lifesaver sometimes. I picked up a padded top bench for my daughter at a garage sale. Ingenious I say! I recovered the top to be a little more girly and we use it when we need to sit 3 for tea. Toys are stored inside and the bench holds up to my husband’s weight (we haven’t gone higher).

5. Just let it go but with a return: Your trash could be another’s treasure and you could get paid for it too! List it on eBay or hold a garage sale. Don’t want to be bothered? Donate it to your local second hand store but get a receipt so you can list it on your taxes.

These are special ways I organize (or purge) in my own home. Hopefully they can help inspire you to organize your belongings too.