Book excerpt: If your closets are bulging and your drawers are about to explode, you’re not alone. The fact is, seven out of ten Americans live in cluttered homes. Our nesting instinct has allowed the stuff to take over. Emmy Award–winning host and design guru Christopher Lowell provides the perfect solution inSeven Layers of Organization. While other books simply show containers and gizmos to get organized, Christopher gets to the bottom of why we just can’t seem to let go—and shows us how we can. As in his smash hit bookChristopher Lowell’s Seven Layers of Design, Lowell takes you through the organizing process step by step, breaking down each layer into simple tasks that anyone can make time to do. He shows how to plan ahead for better, faster, longer-lasting results; how to decide what to keep and what to toss; and how to store or show off your possessions. You’ll also see how each layer works in twelve fabulous room makeovers, from a ship-to-shore nautical bedroom to a Hollywood glam hallway to an inviting his-and-hers office space.It is possible to reach organizational nirvana and to stay there! In just seven easy steps, this colorful, no-nonsense guide will teach you how to purge your home mentally, physically, and spiritually so you’ll be clutter-free for life! 1. Assess & Schedule 2. Detach & Purge 3. Reclaim & Update 4. Sort & Contain 5. Design & Build 6. Arrange & Display 7. Cease & Maintain