Barbara Brock | Source | Professional Organizer at Barbara Brock Inc., A Professional Organizing & Sta...

To prevent adding extra stress during the holidays, professional organizer and home stager Barbara Brock says to start as early as possible so you can relax sooner. A good place to begin is taking a look at your current decor layout.

Take note of what's already on your shelves and countertops and start removing items that don't add to the aesthetic you're after.

"If you add the holiday decor to existing regular decorations, then it will appear cluttered with conflicting themes," she notes. "I recommend storing the non-seasonal items in a bin until after you take down your holiday decorations."

"Dual-function furniture is key to maximizing space in small bedrooms," says professional organizer Barbara Brock of Barbara Brock Inc. "For example, a sofa bed can be seating and sleeping [quarters], but some come with a built-in storage area and a table to be used as a nightstand or coffee table with a lid and space inside for storage."

"Organizing doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of things, but it does mean reviewing what you have," explains Barbara Brock. "Organizing is a way of prioritizing what is important and what is not. But I subscribe to the motto: 'Clear out, clear head.'"