Clutter busters

Janine Carendi, Furniture builder, designer; Area Interior Design, New York City; areainteriordesign.com. Named one of Domino magazine's 2008 10 Decorators on the Verge.

Brian Patrick Flynn, Designer and principal; Six Foot Five Creative Interior Design, Atlanta, and host of TBS' "Movie and a Makeover" series. www.sixfootfivecreative.com

Mallory Mathison, Designer and principal; Mallory Mathison Fine Interior Design, Atlanta; www.mallorymathison.com. Named one of Domino magazine's 2008 10 Decorators on the Verge.

Carendi: Eliminate mail before it piles up. Toss junk mail into a pretty bin or basket at the entrance; transfer it to your larger recycling bin later.

Flynn: Place a cabinet or table just inside the door, with a large bowl or basket on top for keys, sunglasses, mail. Deal with contents when there is time.

Mathison: Keep woven baskets with lids -- one for each family member -- underneath the entryway table, or cover table with a floor-length cloth to hide baskets. Stash clutter on arrival; retrieve it later. Alternative: a chest of drawers for shoes (on the bottom), gloves and hats (in the middle) and keys, cell phones and chargers (in the top drawer).

KITCHEN COUNTERS

Flynn: Use drawer inserts and organizers (such as those in a silverware drawer) for any small items. Designate one drawer for important items -- bills, homework -- that would have otherwise gathered on the counter.

Mathison: Unify clutter with a basket or a tray that holds several small bowls (for coins, keys, etc.)

Carendi: None

Flynn: None

Mathison: Choose a julep cup or small planter for reading glasses, chapstick, remote control. Add small dish for rings, watch. Use baskets below table to organize books, magazines, slippers.

Flynn: Remove closet doors, paint inside the same color as the room or with an accent color. Add a modular wire shelving system, then "style it like it's a photo shoot." If your linen closet is overstuffed, display a half-dozen towels rolled in a galvanized metal bin in the bathroom.

Mathison: None

Walk through your home to see where you habitually create clutter. • Stash small appliances inside cabinets instead of on counters. • Eliminate what you no longer need or want.