From kid’s sports equipment to pet toys to working from home to normal everyday life – clutter buildup happens fast! Decluttering is hard work, and the thought of organizing it all can be extremely overwhelming. But your home needs to be a soothing, peaceful space, not a dumpster fire!
Decluttering can mean fewer possessions, meaning less to clean. Or it can mean a place for everything and everything in its place. Learning a few practical clutter-busters can keep your home looking clean and organized. As Marie Kondo says, you want “a space that contains only things that spark joy.” Here are tips to tackle the clutter for a happier, healthier home.
Pick a system that suits your lifestyle.
Find a system that works best for your entire family. If it works with your lifestyle, it will work for you. If your system isn’t conducive to your household, it will fail. Regardless of what HGTV says – putting markers for a child in a mason jar will not end well! Putting markers in a clear plastic bin, however, is something that can be stacked, packed, or stowed out of the way when not in use. Plastic bins, baskets, and decorative boxes and bins are your friend!
Break it down.
Decluttering the whole house can be a monumental task. Break it down space by space. Show yourself some grace when it comes to your time and peace of mind. The easiest wins are where you want to begin. Rather than starting in the garage or attic and dealing with years of accumulated clutter, start with something more manageable like a bathroom, a guest bedroom, or the junk drawer in the kitchen. Once you begin to see results, you’ll naturally gain momentum.
The purge.
The most important step in any organizational process is to get rid of things you don’t or won’t use. Go through items and consider how often they are worn, listened to, played with, or watched. If the answer is “not within the last year” – get rid of it. Bins filled with contents you will never use or need – is still clutter. There’s no point organizing something that you should throw away instead. This includes your prized CD collection from college – it’s time.
Designated places.
If you must clutter, have a designated place for it to go. Those “I might need that for….” items need to occupy one space in your home. Whether it be a closet, a shelf in the garage, under the guest bed, whatever – one place is all you get for things you might use later.
Mail: designated place – Keys: designated place – Shoes: designated place – Gift Bags: designated place – Dog toys, children’s toys, spouse’s toys, etc.: designated place!
Once you start designating spots for specific items, it will become easier to put things back where they belong.
Keep it clutter-free.
Organizing experts recommend a “one in, one out” rule. Don’t buy anything new until you let go of something. This rule makes it easier to keep your home organized, and it will save you money. Here are more tips on adopting healthier habits for a clean house.
Decluttering doesn’t require a big budget—or any budget, really—just the investment of time. The payoff will be a relaxing, healthy, happy home.
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