Are you living in cluttered chaos? Is it hard to find anything in your home? Do you feel like you need an organizational overhaul?
Clutter can quickly build up and get out of control. Clutter isn’t just a visual mess, it can cause stress and worry that a mountain of clutter is gradually filling up the world around us.
For anybody feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in their house, this article offers some home organization and decluttering tips that are sure to help. You’ll come away with many ideas on how to keep your home clean and organized.
Get rid of items you haven’t used in a year
Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! A great trick is to get rid of items you haven’t used in the last year. After all, what use is keeping something when you don’t even remember that you own it?
It’ll take a little bit of effort at first, but after you’re finished purging your home of these forgotten belongings, it’ll look neat and tidy like never before.
Set aside a few days for this project and figure out what departments need assessing. If you haven’t worn it or needed it in 12 months, chances are its time to part ways with it!
Categorize items into “sell,” “donate,” “throw away” and “keep.” Always keep sentimental items if they’re important to you – just make sure they’re stored properly. You can even host a yard sale to earn some extra cash from selling your unwanted stuff.
Create designated storage spaces for every item
The key to removing clutter and organizing your home is to designate storage spaces for every item. When everything has a designated home, it’s easier to return things to their spot when they’re not in use.
For example, you can create a “stationery supplies” shelf with trays and dividers for sharpies, tape, paper clips, and more. Then, whenever you need something from that drawer, you’ll instinctively know where to go! Plus, it will become easier to keep the drawer tidied up.
Decluttering your home can also mean taking items out of sight when they’re not in use. For instance, conceal your garbage bin by putting it inside a cabinet-style kitchen island or countertop. That way it won’t take up space unless you have it open for use!
Implement a system for incoming mail and papers
Having an organized mailbox and paperwork is essential when it comes to home organization. Of course, we all get lots of mail and papers that need sorting, so having a system for them is key!
The incoming mail and paper system that you implement should have storage areas for items that need action, filing folders for papers you must keep, and a scheduled time each week to go through everything.
Setting aside just 30 minutes each week will stop the paper pileup from taking over your entire desk! You can even keep everything stored in a designated area like a basket or file folder—this will help you recognize what needs to be done when you look at it.
Having an incoming mail and paper system in place helps reduce stress in your home because there’s very little clutter piling up around your house. Plus, it’ll help create more free time to enjoy with friends and family!
Purge and declutter regularly
A great strategy for getting your home clutter-free is to purge and declutter regularly. It’s hard to tackle decluttering in one shot, so break it up into smaller chunks of work.
Schedule a monthly or bi-monthly purge session. Make sure you attack the areas that need it the most, such as closets, cupboards, and garages. Be ruthless as you go through items and decide what should stay and go!
While you’re at it, try to be mindful about shopping when it comes to things you don’t need. This will help ensure that your home remains clutter-free for a much longer period of time.
Also, create designated storage areas with labels for each item in your home. This way all family members can easily find what they need without making a mess!
Donate or sell items in good condition
Decluttering can be a very hard task, but it’s an important part of keeping your home organized. You don’t have to throw out everything that you no longer use.
Donate or sell items in good condition. When cleaning out your home, set aside items that you can donate or resell instead of tossing them in the trash.
You could donate these items to friends, family or other charities if someone else would appreciate having them more than you do. Or, you can hold a garage sale and make some extra cash!
Another option is to list them online on various selling sites such as eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Whatever route you choose to take, consider donating or re-selling items instead of throwing them away — it’s beneficial for our planet and your bank account!
Use clear containers for easy identification of contents
Using clear containers for your storage areas is a great organization tip. It will allow you to quickly and easily find what you are looking for when you open a container.
Not only should the containers be clear, but if possible have labels, either printed or handwritten. Labels give even more clarity to their contents – an extra bonus that makes organizing much easier!
Labeling your storage containers allows others who may not know what is inside of them to easily determine the contents. That saves time when trying to find things, whether it’s cookware, holiday decorations or paperwork!
It also keeps objects securely tucked away in one place so they’re not everywhere throughout your home, thanks to the lid that goes on top of each container. Clear containers make decluttering fast and simple by keeping all your essential items organized and accessible!
Label everything
Labelling is one of the most important steps in any home organization or decluttering project. Not only does labelling help you to keep everything organized, it’s also a helpful reminder of where everything belongs!
Take the time to properly label everything so you don’t end up with multiple containers filled with similarly looking items. That way, you won’t have to rummage through them searching for something in particular.
Adding labels can extend beyond just basic organization and decluttering: it can add a decorative touch to your space as well! Get creative with your labeling by using graphics and colorful fonts which will make the entire process more fun and less tedious.
Plus, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment when everything is finally labeled neatly according to your preferences. This will motivate you as you work to keep your home neat and tidy!
Store items in a logical and easily accessible way
Organizing your home should start with storing items in a logical and easily accessible way. When you have things sorted by type or task, you can quickly find the item you need and save yourself time.
When decluttering, think about how items will be used or accessed and then store them accordingly. Create designated areas where every person knows they can reach for what they need without causing clutter elsewhere.
It’s best to make use of clever storage solutions like hanging baskets, vertical shelves, vacuum bags and collapsible furniture where needed. Storing items efficiently makes them easier to see and once they are stored in an orderly fashion there is less chance of missing something that matters.
For long-term home organization success, pair decluttering efforts with meal planning reviews so that the right items are brought into the house when running errands for shopping. That way, everything has a place before it even arrives!
Bottom Line
Home organization and decluttering are essential tasks that can make your life easier, help you save money and time, and make your home a more enjoyable place to be. No matter how daunting the task may seem, like any other project, breaking it down into smaller steps can help keep you on the right track.
Implementing certain techniques such as breaking organizational projects into manageable parts or getting family members involved can also make organizing and decluttering a much more enjoyable experience. With this knowledge in hand, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get started with creating an organized space now!
