How to Declutter Your Home and Keep It That Way

Clutter can be a serious space-killer and I deterrent to feeling comfortable in your home or work space. Clutter-free spaces are a welcoming sign both at home and at work and becoming clutter-free is easier and less stressful than it may seem.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Storage bin
• Sharpie pens
• Baskets and other storage containers that are decorative.

1. Go through everything and organize it in to simple piles. This is the most time-consuming and daunting task of the de-clutter process, but well worth it. It helps you take stock of what you have, what you need and what you do not need. Create piles for things like winter clothes, summer clothes, books, bills, important documents, things to sell, things to trash, and holiday specific piles.

2. Once everything is organized into the piles, start working on storing everything in proper places. In-season clothes go in the closest, out-of-season clothes go in large water proof storage containers that can be set aside, but are easily accessible when the seasons change. Books go on bookshelves, bills in a file cabinet and so on.

3. Label everything! You may end up with a lot of Tupperware bins that are grey, this is why it is important to label each bin. Grab a sharpie and be as specific as possible. For example, "Joe's winter sweaters." Label on the top of the bin and on the sides so you can easily see the label no matter how or where it is stored.

4. Throw out old stuff that you do not really need. Making the decision regarding what you need and what you do not can be difficult and often emotional because people often hold on to items for sentinetal reasons. You can still have these items if needed, but scale it down. You cannot stand to part with your daughter's baby clothes. Don't. Cut swatches from your favorite pieces and make a quilt out of them and donate the rest to children who are less fortunate or sell them and help pay for your storage containers. The quilt can be used daily or hung in your daughter's room and will look much nicer than storing them all in containers.

5. Splurge and buy some decorative containers and store some stuff in the open. If you happen to have some great coffee table books, display one or two on the table and store the rest for rotation.

6. Once you have de-cluttered, keep it up. Do not fall into the trap of becoming cluttered again. When you find yourself getting messy, reorganize and restore.

Tips & Warnings

• These tips can be transferred to organizing your workspace as well.

[stefyspeak]

on 6/25/2009 Thanks for this motivation. I have a hard time keeping it up!5*