So now that you have de-cluttered, made the hard choices and know what you want to keep, yet perhaps you are still struggling to find a space for everything, I ask, "Have you looked at your walls lately?"

For most people there is nothing higher than 5 feet in each room, which means there is a whole lot of space not being used to its "Higher" potential.

Consider using this space and maximizing your display and storage opportunities. Here are a few options to consider:

• Install shelves 12" to 20" below the ceiling to display collectible, hats, books or photos. (Ready made shelves and brackets are available at any local building supply store.) (Tip: Use sticky wax products to hold fragile items in place)

• Consider mounting shelves over the windows for items you enjoy looking at yet don't use that much.

• For those of you that plan to stay in your home for a while, consider investing in custom-made cabinets or shelves. If you shop around awhile I am sure you will find that there are plenty of cost effective solutions available that may work for you without making you feel like" Reach for the Sky" means you are about to be robbed.

• Another favourite of mine is the cubed wall units that you can find at stores like Ikea and more. They usually can be found with complementary baskets that fit in the cubes or can be placed on top of the unit. I like the modern look and the simplicity they offer.

Remember, the trick here is to go as high up as you can as well no matter what your style or budget.

Did you notice how at the start of this article I stated "So now that you have de-cluttered, made the hard choices and know what you want to keep, ..."?

If you are wondering why I didn't just suggest that you start making purchases for storage right from the start, without going through this step, let me explain...

I put started off on those terms because I wanted to point out that it is important to first go through the purging and sorting of your belongings prior to deciding on storage.

One of the biggest mistakes people can make is choosing containment too soon without knowing what their actual needs are. We can allow ourselves to get excited about organizing and rush out to buy an assortment of racks and bins just to get home and find out that we got too much, too little or the wrong size.

I want to close on the idea that it is best to sort and measure before you shop. Decide on what to keep, where to keep it and how much space you'll need. Also take into consideration your décor and what style will work best for your space to compliment your existing furniture and décor. Then take your list and measurements to the store so you can properly assess your needs and get the right solution for you.

To get you started on the right track to having a more organized and efficient office, I offer up a creation of mine. This guide and checklist to "Having the IDEAL Office!" will help you set up an office that is easy to work in, thus making the task of keeping organized a pleasure, not a chore. If having an "IDEAL" Office pleases you, read on.

Did you know that the average white collar worker losses 55 min's a day due to disorganization? For a small company of only 10 people that could mean lost wages of over $35,000.00 per year.

Can you just imaging taking that kind of cash and just burning it? I can, I've seen it done. In my article "The Cost of Disorganization" I speak on that topic to some good detail.

So, you may ask, where is the time going? Well, usually it lost when employees are not able to find their needed tools, files and references in a timely fashion. A lot of this can be prevented with a well laid out office and some basic organizational skills.

It is true that the driving factor that pushed me to start Tidy Tiger Solutions was the witnessing of great need for effective organization in the work place. I must say that although I enjoy organizing homes, the challenge of Taming Paper Tigers is my first passion.

So today, to get you started on the right track, I offer up a simple creation of mine. This guide and checklist to "Having the IDEAL Office!" will help you set up an office that is easy to work in, thus making the task of keeping organized a pleasure, not a chore. So if having an "IDEAL" Office pleases you, read on.

Review these five areas and create you IDEAL office today:

Identify Supplies.
1. Properly set up available supplies and equipment.
2. Review floor plans to see if used to best advantage.
3. Have enough supplies for your needs.

Desk Workspace
1. Desks should be roomy, useful and comfortable.
2. Work spaces clear & clean as well as drawers purged of the unnecessary.

Extra Space
1. Additional tables can provide ready to use workspace when needed.
2. Keep areas, like cabinet tops, free from clutter and near enough to use.

Accessibility
• Computer to be easy to reach with cords assessable.
• Peripherals close yet not on direct work spaces.
• Be able to reach printer from the chair.

Locations
• Put action files within arms reach.
• Ensure cabinets are well positioned and in good working order.
• Make sure files are secure.

Use this like a checklist and go through your office making the necessary changes one by one and I guarantee that your work will be so much more productive and even more enjoyable as a result. If you feel you are ready to start and need a change, yet may need some help to get started, then professional organizers like me may be the answer.