subject: How To De-clutter Your Home In 4 Steps [print this page] Over time our homes accumulate everyday items, keepsakes, and everything in between that can be hard to get rid of. Were so used to seeing them, that they dont seem like clutter at alltheyve become part of the foundation of our homes. This is especially true for households in which the kids have grown up and gone off to school, leaving an empty nest with a lot of clutter. For the sentimental person, getting rid of these accumulated items can be heart-wrenching, its like throwing away memories. Luckily, there are ways in which you can distinguish whats clutter and whats a precious keepsake. Heres how to take charge of your clutter and get your home organized:
1) Start small. Getting started is one of the hardest parts of de-cluttering. Often times were wondering where we can even begin. To get the ball rolling start with drawers or cupboards in your kitchen. Every kitchen has a drawer in which expired coupons, stamps, junk mail, and other miscellanea tend to get thrown. Start by sorting through and throwing away things you dont need. Next, move on the fridge and pantry. Toss any leftovers and expired food items away. Before you know it, the kitchen will be de-junked and youre ready to move on to your next challenge: the living room.
2) Often times, our living rooms are prime places for clutter to build. Look around the room for any obvious items that are trash. Then you want to re-evaluate larger items that arent being used. Is that treadmill in the corner being used to its full potential, or should you think about getting rid of it? If youre finding that you have a lot of stuff that you just cant part with (for sentimental reasons, or that you paid good money for them) you can always look into self storage units. Self storage is a great way to keep the items you need, while keeping your home clutter-free. Many parents whose kids have grown up and moved out, opt for climate controlled storage to put the kids things, instead of throwing them out. Getting rid of kids belongings can be highly distressing for parents, so instead of having to part with precious memories, why not use self-storage and have a safe place for them?
3) Whether you are a bookworm, you live with one, or still cant part with those old college textbooks (they were so expensive!), books tend to accumulate in any household. If books are making your rooms feel cluttered and disorganized, go through them and sort out which ones youd like to keep and which ones are there for show only. If you still cant part with them, again, self-storage units could be a great option.
4) Putting stuff in closets is a quick fix for clutter, so chances are youre closets are overflowing with stuff you dont need. Whether its linens that havent seen the light of day since the Carter administration, board games that are unplayable due to their decaying boards and missing pieces, or Christmas decorations so old, you forgot they even existed, every closet has some sort of clutter lurking behind its door. A good rule of thumb to use with closets is: if you havent used it in the last year, throw it out. Obviously, family heirlooms, photos, etc. are things worth keeping around. But do you really need 4 boxes of holiday decorations? Evaluate each item realistically and youll be amazed at how much stuff you can get rid of.
