Organizing 101: Family rooms

The right stuff

CDs, DVDs, videos Use technology to organize your music and free up storage. Transfer old CDs, tapes and albums to your computer and save them as MP3s (make backups!). Software for making MP3s is free (and legal) to download from the Internet, and cables that connect your stereo to your computer are available at electronics stores. You can also transfer audio tapes to CD, and then throw the tapes out. Sell your old formats at secondhand record stores. If you can't part with all your albums (Fleetwood Mac's Rumours holds fond memories!), keep a few favourites.

Organize newer CDs, as well as DVDs and videos in appropriately sized, attractive storage boxes (be sure to get the kind with slots on the front for labels); or throw out CD jewel cases and organize discs alphabetically in CD binders; or use freestanding CD towers or wall-mounted shelves, and store DVDs and videos in drawers or on shelves in or near the entertainment unit.

Books After editing your collection of old books or those you're unlikely to read, organize what's left in a way that makes sense to you, such as alphabetically or alphabetically within categories.

Magazines, newspapers Keep a paper-recycling bin in the family room. Consider cancelling newspapers you don't read, or requesting weekend delivery only. You'll save money, trees and trips to the curb with the recycling box. Cancel magazines you aren't reading. Organize current issues in neat piles or in big baskets.

Crafts Plastic containers specially designed for sewing, paints, knitting needles, beading and much more are available at craft stores. Designate a shelf or two for storing them.

Remotes Today, there are sofas with special pockets at the back or sides for remotes; consider including pockets on a slipcover if you have one made. Or put a basket on the coffee table or on the TV for them. You can also buy multiple-compartment remote caddies to house separate audio and video remotes.