Discover practical decluttering guide to maximize space in your home. Learn how to organize efficiently and create a more open, stress-free living environment.
Decluttering is something many people fear. The reason is that they fear getting rid of something they might need later on in life. But, if you haven’t used something for a few years, likely, you won’t need it again.
The benefits include a more focused mind, an easier-to-maintain home, and less stuff to tidy and store. With fewer belongings in your home, your life and mind will feel lighter and freer. Whether you wish to downsize your family home or live in a minimal space, here are some simple tips for decluttering and maximizing your home’s space.
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-cardboard-boxes-on-brown-wooden-table-4568741/
If there are things you want to hold onto, there is a solution
We appreciate that during the decluttering process, there will be things you don’t necessarily need to keep but want to hold onto. Don’t worry; there is a simple solution.
Utilizing external storage units is an easy way to keep hold of your loved possessions yet not crowd your home. While it can be tough to let things go, you won’t need to worry about that with storage units. There, you can store anything you need and access it at any point. There is no benefit to cluttering your home with things you don’t need often or won’t use at all (yet wish to hold on to). Hence, declutter and store any extra things in an external unit.
Give things a new home
If you find it challenging to let things go because they will end up in the bin, find your things a new home. This will encourage you to get rid of more as you will know and feel comfortable with the fact that someone else will find a use for it.
You can choose to donate things to charity or consider a friend/family member who would like what you are getting rid of.
Start small
Starting small with your decluttering process is a creative decluttering tip that can help everyone. If you attempt to declutter your entire home in a day and haven’t done it before, you will likely feel overwhelmed.
Instead, you should start with a 20-minute dedicated time slot where you choose one area of a small room. This will help you get familiar with the art of decluttering. Taking things slower will avoid overwhelm and, hopefully, motivate you to get rid of more things. Pursue the decluttering process in smaller chunks to effectively blitz the entire home. Slow and steady always wins the race.
Consider the one-year rule
It is easy to understand that certain things are only needed once a year. For example, you don’t need your Christmas tree and decorations throughout the year. But when Christmas approaches, you will need them. You don’t want to waste money buying new things, so hold onto things that you use once a year or more.
If you find things around your home that you haven’t used in a year, it is a sign that you most likely won’t need them again. You will be shocked at how much stuff you haven’t used in many years. Hence, it is wise to find them a better home and maximize your decluttering pile.
Use the 12-12-12 method
Those who find it impossible to part with things need to set themselves a challenge. You will have things in your home that can easily be donated or given away. Instead of holding onto things for no reason, adopt the 12-12-12 method.
This challenge entails finding 12 things to keep (which you will likely find easy), 12 things to donate, and 12 things to sell. The goal will motivate you to find more to let go of and give a new home.
Develop a clear plan
It’s true that decluttering can seem overwhelming if you don’t have a clear strategy, particularly if you’re decluttering your entire house. Determine which areas require the greatest attention first. Decluttering is especially beneficial in high-traffic areas like the kitchen, living room, and bedroom because these spaces are frequently congested.
Consider breaking the process down into smaller, more achievable activities rather than attempting to tackle everything at once. Begin with a single room or simply a single room’s portion. Before going on to larger areas, tidy a closet or a set of kitchen cabinets. This one-step-at-a-time approach will help the work feel less daunting.
Learn how to let go of things
Learning to part with items you no longer need is an important aspect of decluttering. Things can be easily clung to out of nostalgia or the belief that you might need them “someday.” But this kind of thinking frequently results in needless clutter. It’s probably time to part with something if you haven’t used it in more than a year.
Consider capturing pictures of emotional objects that are difficult to part with to preserve memories and free up physical space. Prioritizing quality over quantity when storing stuff is also beneficial. For instance, if you have multiple identical products, such as kitchenware or apparel, keep the best one and discard the others. Judiciousness about what you maintain can avoid clutter in the future.
When you are finished, make the most of your space
To keep your home organized after decluttering, make the most of your storage space. Seek strategies to maximize every square inch of your house. Particularly in smaller places like kitchens and toilets, vertical storage is very helpful. Mount shelves, hooks, or cupboards on the wall to keep objects off of surfaces and floors.
Ottomans, coffee tables, and mattresses with built-in drawers are examples of furniture that may be used for storage. They are also fantastic places to put stuff without adding to the clutter. Another useful tool for efficiently organizing smaller goods while maintaining easy access is a storage container or basket. Labeling these containers facilitates long-term organization and guarantees that everything has a place.
Anyone who struggles to declutter must take these tips on-board and do their best at organizing after for maximum effect.
Hope you use this guide to declutter your space and enjoy stress-free environment.
Lots of Love,
xoxo