We’ve all faced times when we have more things than space in our house.
Coming home to find things that do not fit anywhere is frustrating and doesn’t make you feel as relaxed as you’d expect in your own home. Studies show that clutter is related to high levels of stress and anxiety. There is no doubting the fact that a messy home puts us in a bad mood.
So let’s just say it is time to get rid of the clutter before your feelings about your place reach extremes. You need to get a little creative in the process of decluttering.
We have compiled a list of ways to make this task easier for you. So take a look at these tips and fuel your imagination before you start decluttering.
1. Use Storage Units
We hoard things we do not use in the present but might use in the future. Unfortunately, these only take up space in our homes while serving no purpose. Storage units are the perfect places to store such possessions.
The best part is that the facility to rent a storage space is available all over the United States now. So all you have to do is find a place near you.
For example, if you live in Grand Island in Nebraska, the storage units Grand Island offers can be the new home to all the extra stuff lying around in your home. Begin with storing things like the piano you don’t use or a piece of furniture. It will make a significant dent in the decluttering process. Also, you will have lesser things to arrange in your house once all the extra things are gone.
2. Find the Problem Areas
The foremost step to decluttering is finding areas that require the most cleaning. You will have to put on your critique goggles for this one. Take a tour of your house as if you are a guest.
Judge all rooms and corners of the place and not down areas that you feel are cluttered. Then, figure out what is making them look cluttered and the things you need to remove from there.
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3. Make a Schedule
Assign a date to each problematic area once you have completed the abovementioned tasks. This schedule will be your guide and will help you stay on track. Ensure you strictly follow the deadlines to keep your motivation levels high. Checking the boxes once you have cleaned an area will be a source of encouragement to keep going.
4. Make Three Piles
Get three trash bags or cartons and label each with; donate, keep, or throw. Tackle one area at a time and distribute all your possessions into either of the three piles. Remember that you will make the most progress by learning to let things go.
The key here is to determine which objects add value to your life. If you have not used an appliance or clothes for over a year, it is time to give them away. It is human nature to hold onto things just in case we need them in the future. But, if you did not need it for an entire year, you might never find the need to have it. Encourage yourself to keep the ‘keep’ pile small.
5. Add Baskets
Having all your belongings in baskets instead of on the floor is better. Your house might not be big enough to fit everything you want to. But, don’t worry, baskets will make it look more organized. Invest in sturdy baskets if you don’t have space inside cabinets and hanging racks.
You can keep these under the bed or in the corner of your room. Putting all things in baskets will keep the room clutter-free.
Ensure that these baskets are good quality and simple. For example, baskets with bold designs might make your room look smaller and messier. You can also label these baskets for your convenience.
6. Utilize All Spaces
This tip might sound a little crazy, but it is very effective. Under the bed is the perfect place to store things you need only a few months of the year. It can be anything from Christmas decorations to winter clothing.
Bed risers will solve all your problems if your bed is low. You can add these risers under the corners of your bed to increase their height. Doing this will make more space under the bed to store things. You can also use these under different furniture pieces to give them height.
Everything will be off the floor and out of sight if hidden under the furniture. As a result, your house will have a cleaner overall look.
7. Take Help
Decluttering is mostly about getting rid of stuff. We have all found ourselves conflicted between keeping or throwing an item. You are battling with the wiser half of yourself to keep the object. Usually, we surrender to our wants.
This practice takes the essence away from decluttering. It makes it difficult to make any significant progress. Hence, you should have a friend or a family member to give you regular reality checks. Ask someone to help you decide what things are necessary for you to have. This way, your decisions will not be biased.
8. Put Everything Where it Belongs
Laziness forces us to keep random objects anywhere in the house. You might find some electrical tape in your kitchen drawer right now. This habit is what starts the clutter in the first place.
You usually buy a replacement for an item you can not find at its designated spot. Unfortunately, doing this leads you to have two to three pieces of the same thing. So, ensure you tackle one drawer at a time and remove all things that do not belong there. Then, put everything at its designated spot.
Conclusion
It is safe to say that decluttering is one of the most challenging chores. It requires time, energy, and also resilience. Remember that the tips above will only be successful if you are motivated enough to see your plan through. Do not let your wants succumb you into holding on to items you will never use.
Also, what you bring in the house matters just as much as what you throw out. So ensure you only purchase things you need. This practice will not let the clutter happen in the first place.
