You don’t need to be Marie Kondo, hire a professional organizer or even have a lot of storage space to declutter your home.
Instead, use these ten easy steps to get a whole decluttering process streamlined throughout your entire home.
HOW TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME IN 10 EASY WAYS
By breaking down tasks into small steps, the whole process of getting your entire house organized feels a lot less daunting.
1) Set aside time and create an organizing plan to declutter your home.
To cut clutter effectively, the first step is to set aside an appropriate amount of time.
You’ll want to create a game plan for the best way to tackle it.
Before you gather items for packing or disposal, create a decluttering checklist of tasks you will need to complete.
From there figure out how much time you have available for each one.
2) Purge by category.
Pack up or dispose of items in the following categories: paper clutter, old clothes, toys, books, household goods and memorabilia that can’t be donated.
The next step here is to get these areas down to an armload’s worth of belongings or less.
If you’re like me, the first place you might want to tackle is the kitchen junk drawer.
A small area is a great place to start as this gives you a quick win which will encourage you to keep going.
If you don’t have a junk drawer, opt for a medicine cabinet.
These little cabinet organizers are a great way to easily keep things tidy.
3) Toss out trash and broken items.
Get out a trash bag and get ready to use it.
Instead of saving everything, the important thing here is to focus on the things you use regularly on a daily basis.
The next step is to toss broken or worn-out items that you don’t intend to fix or replace.
If you have a lot of clutter, focus on one room at a time.
Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started.
Devote ample time to purging each space.
You want to make sure you can keep up with all of the trash generated from sorting and packing.
In other words, don’t rush through this just to get it done.
4) Repurpose belongings that have sentimental value.
An emotional attachment can often cause us to cling to different things we don’t really need or use.
To get rid of them, conduct a thoughtful appraisal and make sure you are not keeping things for the wrong reasons — such as out of guilt or because your mind tells you to do so.
Instead, redirect your energy into celebrating those good memories by telling stories about it with those around you who were there.
Don’t miss this post on framing sentimental items and family heirlooms.
5) Give away items that no longer serve their purpose.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Do I know anyone who would get a lot of use out of this?
What am I doing with it now that makes it worth keeping?
If you answer “nothing,” you can either give it to a family member or friend who can use it.
Also think about starting a donation bag and plan to drop it off at one of your favorite charity shops.
Next assess your belongings to see if you have a lot of similar items.
In other words, if you have duplicates of the same thing, consider keeping only one of them.
6) Organize remaining belongings once they are packed.
Keep only those items that have meaning for you (and will be frequently used) in open spaces.
If not enough space exists, purchase an appropriate storage solution such as home organization storage bins, more shelving units, bookcases or cabinets — and rotate them based on what needs to be stored at the moment.
Store the remaining items in your attic, basement or garage.
7) Use containers that can be stacked neatly on shelves.
Don’t just stack boxes haphazardly to save space on the floor.
Instead, stack them in a way that makes it easy to access items at the bottom while not taking up too much vertical or horizontal space.
Remember to keep items organized so that everything has its “home” within reach when you need it most.
8) Don’t forget your electronics, accessories and important papers.
Having too many electronics in a small room can cause clutter to accumulate quickly — but having them all organized is possible if you invest in the right products and learn to use them properly!
Start by creating a charging station or organizer where each electronic has its “home” when not being used (i.e., cell phone goes on bedside table; laptop sits on desk).
For more related tips –see this post on the best charging stations for your phones.
Next, organize accessories such as wires by storing their “feet” in pencil cups that fit perfectly inside your charger boxes.
Then, keep cords from these electronics organized by using binder clips or Velcro ties that can be clipped onto the side of your wall for easy access.
Finally, file away important paperwork and bank statements in a hanging file folder or binders and store them on shelves close to your desk.
This way you can access them quickly if needed.
Don’t miss this more in depth post on how to organize your important paperwork and documents.
9) Limit the number of accessories in each room.
Try not to overcrowd surfaces with too many decorative items.
Instead, be very intentional with your decor, remember to edit, edit, edit.
This way you won’t be bombarded with excessive visuals/sensory stimulation.
The goal is to have enough open space to perform daily activities, for example – bedside table needs an alarm clock, cell phone stand/charger and a lamp.
This rule also applies to knick-knacks – if you have a shelf or other places to store them, keep only a few on display at any given time.
10) Keep your closet organized.
I highly recommend you use these space saving velvet hangers.
Next, group clothing items first by type then by color.
This is the easiest way to create a clean and streamlined closet.
Don’t miss this post for even more great closet organizing tips.
Ideas On How To Declutter Your Home – Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed all of these great tips on how to declutter your home.
At the end of the day, you have to be consistent with your spaces and not let too much clutter pile up.
An organized space takes a bit of hard work – even if it’s just a little bit everyday.
The end goal is to spend less time looking for household items in a mountain of stuff and eventually just enjoying your tidy living space.
SHOP THE IDEAS TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME HERE:
ADDITIONAL INSPIRATION
Finally, for even more great home decor and design inspiration, be sure to check out these posts by clicking each title below:
Pantry Organization Ideas and Tips From The Pros.
Why Luxury Vinyl tile (or vinyl floors) flooring is an excellent choice.
Master Bath Remodel With Before and Afters.
Bathroom Renovation Wallpaper Ideas.
Bathroom Ceiling Lighting Ideas.
Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint Review.
How to Make Small Powder rooms Appear Larger.
Top 10 Paint Colors For Your Kitchen Cabinets
How To Pick The Best Paint Colors For Your Living Room.
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