You are not alone if you battle overloaded drawers, crammed closets, or mystery mounds that develop overnight. Most of us know that feeling: you open a closet door expecting to locate what you need, and instead get ambushed by a landslide of shoes, caps, or items you don’s remember owning. Until you find one very basic, enormously successful trick—using over-the-door shoe organizers for almost everything except shoes—it can seem impossible to get control in a small space. Read here!

Let Tina be one of examples. She stubbed her toe on still another toy last month, at last reaching her limit. She attempted something else instead of caving in to mess. Her covert weapon became over-the-door shoe organizers with several see-through pockets. The twist is she skipped using them for shoes. She hung one on her closet door and began stuffing the pockets with scarves, gloves, sunglasses, craft tools, little toys, even bags of snacks that otherwise rolled around in the pantry. Her house seemed lighter and more ordered right away. Just better vertical space use—no magic here.

These pocket organizers really shine in the kitchen as well. You can position drawers neatly within the pantry door instead of allowing loose packets, cereal bars, or spice jars occupy shelves. Every jar and snack bar is clearly visible and easily reachable, organizing anarchy. At last techies can fit their wires, batteries, and chargers into their own pockets. The nicest thing is that parents could easily sort matchbox cars, painting supplies, or Legos. Children enjoy using the pockets since it allows them to view and take what they want—no more mystery containers.

Not much setting is needed here. Hang the organizer above a door, hang it onto a pole, or—just a few screws—place one behind almost any door in your house. If you rent, this is a dream come true: you can bring your organizational system with you without any harm or bother.

Concerned by its appearance? From clean neutrals that fit any décor to strong designs and vivid colors, there are countless choices. Get imaginative and add ribbons, labels, or whatever best fits your design. Go brilliant and joyful in the children’s room; choose something more subdued or elegant in the bathroom or entrance. It’s decluttering that speaks to your style and room.

There are countless applications for it. Natalie from across the street notes that her husband never wonders, “Where are my keys?” She placed them their own pocket just inside the entrance. Others hide first-aid kits, sunscreen, hair tools, pet supplies, and cleaning agents. Keep medication out of reach but in sight; use each pocket for a different school topic so the children are always ready.

It’s difficult to undo once you try this trick. What starts out as a snack or scarf fix rapidly becomes a home secret weapon. It is absolutely adjustable, space-saving, reasonably priced, and renter-friendly. Thus, hang a shoe organizer, empty those pockets, and savor the space—and peace of mind—you just returned the next time you find yourself on the verge of a clutter explosion.