5 LIFE-CHANGING DECLUTTERING STEPS YOU WILL WISH YOU HAD KNOWN SOONER

This blog post is all about home decluttering.

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As a real estate agent, I have observed that home decluttering and creating open, airy spaces appeal to potential buyers. People tend to feel mentally healthier in uncluttered environments compared to cluttered ones. Therefore, I advise homeowners to declutter their houses before listing their houses on the market. Moreover, focusing on work and rest is more manageable when many things around us require our attention. That's why decluttering is essential – it's not just about cleaning up but also about organizing your life and making room for the things that matter. So, this post will outline five critical steps to effectively declutter your home. Moreover, I will share the best products, which will help you declutter your space. So, you can finally say goodbye to clutter once and for all.

1. Start with a decluttering Plan.

Decluttering can be overwhelming, but it can be less daunting if you take it one Step at a time. To start, create a plan of attack for each room. Decide on the area you want to declutter and how much time you want to allow. For instance, you can start with your wardrobe before moving to the kitchen. List what you must do, such as sorting, cleaning, or removing unnecessary items. A plan will help you stay on track and motivated to finish the task.

2. Sort Your Items.

Before throwing things away, sort your items into four piles: trash, sell/give away, storage, and put away.

Name boxes:

Box 1: Trash

The initial box will serve as your designated trash receptacle. Any items you wish to dispose of, but are not suitable for donation or sale, should be placed here. As you go through each item, ask yourself if it's something you still need or will use in the future. Consider letting it go if you last used it in the past year. Be honest with yourself and avoid hoarding things you don't need. Once you've sorted your items, you can put them in their respective piles. This way, you can easily take your trash directly to the curb after cleaning up. And remember, whenever possible, make an effort to recycle items. For more information on what can and cannot be recycled, refer to Glad's comprehensive guide.

Box 2: Give Away/Sell

Next, set aside a designated box for items in good condition but no longer needed in your household. This could include old books or toys, for instance. Whether you give these items to family or friends, donate them to charity, or sell them in a yard sale to make some extra money is entirely up to you.

Box 3: Storage

Use this box for items you want to keep but don't need in your daily life, like seasonal decorations. It's also wise to keep an inventory of the things you're storing, so you will know what's taking up space in your garage or attic later.

Box 4: Put Away

Finally, prepare a designated box to store any items that should be kept in your house but must be relocated to their proper places. For a more systematic approach, consider using multiple smaller boxes designated for specific areas like the bathroom, kitchen, or bedrooms. Sort misplaced items into their respective "homes" to save yourself from future hassle. This will not only enhance organization but also streamline your daily routines.

3. Use decluttering Storage Solutions.

After you've sorted your items into piles, it's time to organize the things you're keeping. Use storage solutions such as baskets, shelves, or drawers to give your items a designated place. For instance, use baskets to sort things in your kitchen pantry and shelves to organize your books and décor. Having a designated area for your items will make it easier for you to find them later on.

4. Create a Maintenance System.

Decluttering is not a one-time task but an ongoing process requiring commitment. A maintenance system is essential to ensure your home remains tidy and free of unnecessary items. Dedicate specific times each week for decluttering, organizing, and cleaning. Utilize this time to also evaluate and sort through belongings, parting ways with things that are no longer needed or wanted through donation or selling. It's important to maintain a regular cleaning routine, such as a daily quick clean-up. Practice putting things away after use to keep your living space clutter-free. Consider implementing the one-in-one-out rule, which means for every new item you bring, let go of something that serves a similar purpose. 

With a proper maintenance system, you can keep the clutter at bay for good.

5. Reward Yourself.

Lastly, remember to reward yourself once you've decluttered your home! Give yourself something special once all the hard work is done. This will motivate you to stick with your plan and help reinforce healthy habits that will last long after the decluttering process is finished. Whether it's a treat, a day off, or something else that makes you happy, remember to take time for yourself. 

Additional Tips for Decluttering:

Here are some extra ideas to enhance your decluttering process and achieve a more organized space. Consider decluttering your home room by room.

Bathroom decluttering.

• Purge Your Beauty Collection.

Beauty products like makeup, skincare items, and hair accessories often contribute to bathroom clutter. So, to declutter effectively, consider discarding any products that have remained unused for six months to a year. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid accumulating duplicates of items. For instance, if you still have a few days' worth of shampoo left in an old bottle, refrain from opening a new one. Practicing these habits will help maintain an organized and clutter-free bathroom.

• Assess the Contents of Your Bathroom Medicine Cabinet.

You might open your medicine cabinet daily, but when did you last clean it out? Take everything off the shelves, toss anything old or no longer usable — like stretched-out hair ties or expired medications — then wipe down the inside before returning the items you're keeping to your medicine cabinet.

• Create Hidden Spots for Storage.

Plenty of handy tricks can instantly create a more organized bathroom. If you keep finding bobby pins strewn everywhere, try attaching a magnetic strip to the inside of a cabinet door and sticking it on it for easy access. You can also use a file organizer as a handy spot for your hair tools by attaching it to a wall or the side of a sink cabinet. Smaller items like makeup brushes, cotton balls, and cotton swabs have labeled jars dedicated to each. Then, set them on your counter or a shelf for easy access that won't look messy.

Decluttering Checklist for Your Living Room.

The living room is a hub of household activity, which often attracts clutter from every family member. Suppose you aspire to transform your living room into a clutter-free sanctuary. In that case, you can follow this straightforward three-step declutter checklist.

First Step: begin by organizing your toys, books, and magazines.

Suppose your living room has become a makeshift storage space for books, magazines, and children's toys. In that case, it's wise to declutter and organize using the Four-Box Method. Consider donating old books to local libraries or schools, recycling outdated magazines, and discarding heavily worn toys unfit for donation or resale. This will help create a more organized and inviting living space while giving new life to items that benefit others.

Second Step: Minimize the Quantity of Knickknacks

Appreciating home décor is terrific, but an excess of knickknacks in your living room can impede functionality and cleanliness. Take a moment to assess the items adorning your tables and shelves, and consider parting ways with any outdated picture frames, throw blankets, or potted plants that no longer bring you joy.

Step Three: Establish a Dedicated Storage Area for Frequently Used Items

Rather than leaving miscellaneous items scattered on your coffee table, design a dedicated basket for everyday essentials such as remotes, chargers, and video game controllers. This way, you can conveniently store the basket underneath an end table or in a drawer, ensuring easy access while maintaining a tidy and organized living space.

This blog post is all about home decluttering.

Home Office Decluttering.

Being productive in a cluttered and disorganized home office can be incredibly demotivating. If this sounds all too familiar, fear not! Take a moment to explore these simple yet effective decluttering tips for your home office. Implementing these strategies will transform your workspace into a productivity paradise, allowing you to accomplish your tasks easily and focus.

• Eliminate Unnecessary Items

To start decluttering a messy home office, remove or store any personal or household items that are not meant to be there. This includes things like toys, dishes, or workout gear. Remember, your workspace should be dedicated solely to work, and having non-work-related items around can serve as distractions and reminders of other responsibilities, hindering your ability to focus on the task at hand.

• Organize and sift through documents and papers efficiently and effectively.

If your desk is overwhelmed by a chaotic mess of papers, now is the perfect moment to declutter. Divide them into three piles: one for shredding or discarding, one for filing away important documents, and one for actionable items. If most of your work-related files are digital, take some time to organize and tidy them up as well. Remember, even though digital clutter may not be visible, it can still hinder productivity.

• Optimize the organization of your desk drawers for enhanced efficiency and tidiness.

A simple yet effective hack? Organize your desk drawers based on the frequency of item usage. For instance, reserve the topmost drawer for everyday essentials such as notepads, pens, or phone chargers. In contrast, the bottom drawer can house items like a hole punch or envelopes. Pro tip: Arrange the most frequently used items towards the front within each drawer for effortless access.

• Organize and tame those messy cords and cables.

The mere thought of a tangled mess of cords can induce stress, and your home office should be a place of tranquility, not anxiety. A simple yet effective decluttering tip for your home office is to secure cords and cables with zip ties, ensuring they stay organized and present a more streamlined appearance. Once bundled together, you can discreetly affix them under or behind your desk, keeping them hidden from sight and out of your mind.

This blog post is all about home decluttering.

Conclusion:

Decluttering can be a long process, but it's ultimately worth it. Not only does it help you create more physical space, but it also helps improve your mental state. Following these guidelines can create a harmonious, organized environment that brings peace and clarity to your daily life. You can take control of your clutter and say goodbye to the mess for good. Remember to take it slow, stay motivated, and enjoy the benefits of a decluttered home.