• it is easy for homes to become cluttered.desktop clutter image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the most enjoyable things is having a comfortable home. But over time, any home can become cluttered with everything from the gifts we don't want but still keep to the books and DVDs we purchase. This is especially a problem when you are living in a small apartment. There are simple ways to rid your home of clutter.
  
  

Yard Sale

• Yard sales are can be an effective way to get rid of items you now longer want, while avoiding filling up the landfills with more junk. The two keys to having an effective yard sale are advertising and choosing the correct location. Advertise in the local newspaper, as well as any free weeklies in the area. Post signs in various locations such as libraries, laundromats and colleges (with permission, of course). You don't necessarily have to hold the sale at your own home. If you know someone whose house is easier to get to and park at, you would be better off holding the sale there with the person's permission.
  
  

Store Below

• Many people will slide items under their bed to store them, but these are difficult to reach, the result being that they will rarely use all of the space under the bed. There are companies that make storage units on rollers to go under bed, but it is just as effective to purchase a couple of sheets of plywood, screw rollers on the bottom, and load you stuff on. These homemade units can be slid in from the side, making full use of your space under the bed.
  
  

Store Above

• If you have a high ceiling, then you have a potential storage space. Install deep open shelving that runs along in a complete circuit around the room. Then all you have to do is install a drop ceiling (kits are available at many hardware stores) below this. Push up the tiles to place the items on the shelves, and then drop the tiles back into place.