Decluttering has one big problem: Most people start with a surge of motivation and tackle too much at once. Then, as that initial motivation dwindles, they’re left with a pile of clothes on the bed or all of their beauty products strewn across the bathroom floor. And that’s the point when the overwhelm sets in. Sound familiar?
The truth is that very few people like decluttering, but everyone loves the results! After all, who doesn’t want to live in a cleaner and more organized home? The good news is that you can make decluttering less overwhelming and more enjoyable while getting fabulous results—and all its takes are 6 easy steps.
The simple steps below will ensure that your next decluttering session is much more sustainable, effective, and even a little bit of fun!
- Find Your Motivation
Knowing exactly why you want to declutter can help keep you motivated. Therefore, you want to narrow down exactly how it would improve your home or life. There are endless reasons to crave a declutter session, but a few common ones include:
You’re Moving
Oz Moving, a New York City moving company suggests decluttering before a move. Paring down your possessions can make your move easier and less expensive, leaving you time and money to spend on other things.
You’re Tired of Messes
Tripping on items or constantly cleaning your home is a huge drag. Decluttering may mean you feel less stressed in your own space. And you could spend less time cleaning in the future if you get your home organized now.
You Want a Stylish Home
The truth is a cluttered home dampens even the most stylish decor. Therefore, if you want a magazine-worthy home, you have to get rid of the visual clutter to ensure your decor takes center stage. A decluttered home, in this case, may mean finally being able to get one step closer to your dream decor.
- Make a List
Grab a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or whatever your beverage of choice is, and sit down to make a decluttering list. Here you want to write down all the clutter hotspots in your home, as well as what you don’t like about them.
Your list may look something like:
Entrance – Don’t like that stuff piles up on the hallway table and it always looks messy.
Living Room – I feel like there are always toys everywhere.
Closet – Can never find anything! It’s packed so tight and always a big mess.
After your initial brainstorm, it can also be helpful to take a walk around your home to spot any clutter zones you’ve forgotten.
- Make it Fun!
Before you get started, pop on some music or a podcast to add some joy to the decluttering process. You may even want to consider getting some help from the kids or a friend for some company.
Getting rid of clothes? Try doing a clothing swap with friends. It offers a chance to get some “new” stuff while getting rid of what you don’t need. And the idea of getting new clothes out of the deal may be just the ticket to getting your butt in motion! If none of your friends are the same size as you, don’t fret. You may be able to find a community clothing swap near where you live. These are commonly posted on social media and online marketplaces.
- Get Started!
Whether decluttering to prepare for a move or to improve your current home, pick a smaller project to start with so you can get the ball rolling with less a chance of getting overwhelmed. Plus, seeing the results can give you the push you need to keep going. You may even want to take some before and after photos to look back on when your motivation starts to dip on bigger projects.
Here are a few small areas to consider starting to declutter—they may seem like they won’t make a difference, but everything adds up!
- Junk Drawer
- DVDs and CDs
- Cleaning Cupboard
- Makeup Bag or Drawer
- Medicine Cabinet
- Bookshelves
- Craft Stashes
Consider donating or selling anything useable. Have outdated electronics? Find an e-waste recycling center near you.
- Go Bigger
Now that crossed some smaller areas off your list, tackle the bigger projects like your bathroom cupboards, kitchen, pantry, storage area, garage, and closet.
If you find something you completely forgot you had at any point during decluttering, you may want to get rid of it. If you didn’t remember you had it, are you really going to miss it? Something else to consider is doing away with anything you don’t need and haven’t used within the past year.
Remember, the more you pare down your possessions, the easier it is to keep your home clean and organized!
- Assess Your Work
You did it! You’ve sifted through everything and have decided what stays and what goes. Now there is just the question of where to put everything so this doesn’t happen again. Baskets, drawers, closet organizers, and other storage solutions for organizing are great to introduce into the mix at this point.
Storage baskets are fantastic to keep everything from toys to magazines out of sight. While a closet organizer may be just what you need to be able to see your full wardrobe and keep it looking tidy.
Decluttering is not about a temporary quick fix but a lasting result that will make it much easier to keep your home clean and functional. If you start to declutter your home today, you can have a cleaner, more functional, and less drab home tomorrow—and it’s extra easy with the 6 steps and decluttering tips above.
Did we miss a decluttering tip you love? Leave it in the comments below!
