We know one New Year’s resolution that always makes the list.

Get organized!

But how do you curb clutter and clear the deck for what really matters?

We asked Diane Hatcher, member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, for 10 tips to help you get started.

1. You need a plan. Don’t try to reorganize everything at once. Think of organizing your space like planning a trip, and map out your goals and how to meet them.

Tip: Let’s say your kitchen is a dumping ground. Your plan could be: Find a better spot for kids’ homework. Get more shelf space by storing baking pans elsewhere. Donate stuff sitting idle.

2. Everything has a home. That’s your organizing mantra. Once you have a home for everything, life gets easier. Scissors. Tools. Bicycle pump. Put them in the same place consistently, and you’ll save weeks of time looking for them. To say nothing of frustration.

Tip: Make an extra set of keys for your cars and home. Code them and keep them in the same place. If someone can’t find his or her keys quickly, grab the extras. Look for lost keys later and return them to their rightful home.

3. Create a one-stop drop center. Designate one spot in your house, typically where the family enters and exits, to drop keys, teacher notes, mail, etc. It can be a table in the entrance way or a small basket or box on your kitchen island.

Tip: Each night, write on a sticky note what you need to take with you tomorrow. Put the note on the door where you’ll see it as you head for the car. Then use it as a checklist before you leave. Have the kids do the same so they don’t arrive at school without their lunch, homework, soccer uniform …

4. Liberate your kitchen. You’re probably wasting valuable shelf space with things you only occasionally use. Like a second set of dishes or that platter for the Thanksgiving turkey. Free the shelf space for dishes, pots and pans you routinely use.

Tip: Take a long, hard look at your kitchen gear. When did you last use that popover pan? Maybe it’s time to ditch or donate.

5. De-clutter your desk. Start by labeling empty boxes with appropriate categories: File. Pitch. Take action, etc. Empty the desk and start filling those boxes. Then return organized items to desk. Don’t waste valuable real estate with an overabundance of office supplies or files. Store them elsewhere.

Tip: You have the Internet. No need to keep every magazine article or newspaper story you clip. Put that shredder to work.

6. Clean your closet. Start with empty boxes or trash bags and label: Keep. Donate. Dry-clean. Mend, etc. Take everything out of your closet and evaluate each item before returning it. That goes for purses and belts, too. (If that’s too overwhelming, do the closet by sections.) Finally, organize the items you’re keeping by a system that works for you: color, style, worn frequently, etc.

Tip: Put shoes, belts and purses into organizers to keep them from turning into a giant tangle.

7. Downsize toys by donating. A great opportunity to teach your kids to share, especially if they have, say, 50 stuffed animals. Label two boxes: Keep. Dump.

Assume the first go-around eliminates 20 animals. Say, “Let’s go through the KEEP box one more time.” Sometimes it’s worth doing something twice.

Tip: Immediately remove the DUMP box or the kids will want those toys back.

8. Revamp the kids’ rooms. Organize their rooms into “zones.” Stuffed animals go on that shelf. Pants go into this drawer. Dirty clothes, into the hamper.

Tip: Label containers and shelves so your kids can follow a system. Use pictures for kids too young to read. And, yes, teach them organization that young.

9. Go vertical. Add another shelf to the top of your closet. Or use organizers, such as shoe caddies, to use closet space beneath hanging blouses, shirts and skirts.

Tip: There’s more room for storage under the beds and containers to fit that space.

10. Clear your garage. Take everything out and donate or pitch what you don’t need. Arrange necessities by categories: tools, garden supplies, beach gear.

Tip: Add an overhead garage storage unit. Fill it with things you seldom need, such as holiday decorations.

Liz Doup can be reached at ldoup@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4722.