Friends and family tell me I live in fantasyland because I’m obsessed with turning my pigsty into a model of order. I’ve seen some closet- and garage-organizing systems that cost up to $2,000. Are they worth it?—Sloppy in Seattle

The dream of orderly closets and a clutter-free home is compelling. But in our tests of install-it-yourself systems, we found that many are poorly designed, made of shoddy materials, and a nightmare to install. The good news is, others matched professionally installed systems for a small fraction of the cost. Before you invest your time, money, and patience, consider these tips:

Look online first. After checking our closet and garage organizer Ratings for the best systems, visit manufacturers’ Web sites to see the accessories that are available—the offerings change over time. Add-ons such as shoe storage and extra drawers might make the difference in what you buy.

Decide how handy you are. If the sight of a screwdriver makes your head spin, you might want one of the highly rated professionally installed units we tested. But be prepared for a sales pitch, subtle or otherwise. If you’re comfortable using a drill, screwdriver, and level, you can do the work yourself. The three closet organizers and three garage organizers with top scores typically fit together well, had clear assembly instructions, and required little or no cutting.

Match the material to the use. Avoid garage products that use cardboard or unsealed particleboard where exposure to the elements or normal use can weaken or damage the material. Wire shelves let air circulate but can leave lines in sweaters and delicate fabrics. So look for closet systems with solid shelves or thin boards you can put over the wire.

Consider Einstein’s Three Rules of Work. “Out of clutter find simplicity. From discord find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” I’m not sure what that means, but an expensive and perhaps difficult-to-install closet system isn’t the only way to achieve the dream of an organized home. Maybe you just have too much stuff.—Helen A.S. Popkin