I try to keep my home office organized, but I still have papers - articles, recipes and important mail - laying around in three different rooms. What can I do?
- Angie's List member Kathy Sain

Paper is the No. 1 source of clutter, says Jennifer Hunter, owner of highly rated Find Your Floor Professional Organizing in Medford, Ma. "There are two reasons people have too much paper," Hunter says. "They have constant inflow and are unclear on what should be saved and what can go."

To avoid towering mounds of parchment, Hunter says prevention is the best cure. She suggests opting out of mailing lists and catalogs, going paperless with your bills and declining receipts unless you need them. "I also recommend opening mail within reach of a recycling bin and a shredder," she says. "Once the inflow is stemmed, it's easier to tackle what remains."

Melanie Arzt, owner of highly rated Wits End in Somerville, Ma., says there isn't one correct way to organize paper. "What works for one person may not work for another," she says, adding most people prefer creating an inbox in a central location and a filing system in the home office. "It's usually best to immediately separate things into broad category groups to keep from being overwhelmed."

If you need help, Hunter and Arzt suggest hiring a professional organizer. "You're essentially hiring a project manager for your life," Arzt says, so make sure they're a good fit. Hunter estimates Boston-area professional organizers charge between $50 and $90 per hour.