There is an excellent website called FlyLady. I have used her system for years. I don't have any stored clutter, except my sewing room but it's organized. I learned to clean a clean house. Nothing ever gets messy or overwhelming any longer. I don't have laundry piled up ever. I spend maybe an hour a day doing housework. Once you get the system going it's a piece of cake. You start with her system one step at a time. The first step is to keep you kitchen sink clean. It really works!
http://www.flylady.net/