Having a cluttered, messy house can be stressful. But the thought of choosing which items to keep and get rid of, and organizing your home again can even be more wearisome; after all, you will need several days to bring order in your house again.
If you want to start decluttering your home without all the stress that accompanies this difficult chore, follow these tips:
1.Tackle one room at a time
Be realistic; you won’t be able to get rid of all the clutter in your home in one day or two. As such, schedule a day or afternoon every week to sort through the items in one room to get rid of all the clutter that is bothering you.
In case you’re too busy to do this once a week, make it easier by sifting through one closet, cupboard or drawer first. You will be inspired to move through the other fixtures and areas in the room and, ultimately, the other spaces in your home.
2. Categorize your clutter
Before you start decluttering, make sure you have several boxes, bags, or containers. Label each one accordingly:
- Keep
- Sell
- Donate
- Throw
Group items according to the above categories. Once you’re done doing this for each room, review each group to make sure you won’t accidentally sell your child’s favorite toy or throw away a family heirloom.
3. Decide on what you will do with your extra “to keep” items
Determining what to do with your “to keep” items that you don’t use can be hard. This is particularly true if storage space has always been an issue in your home (which is why it is messy in the first place).
One option for keeping the items you don’t use or can’t get rid of because of sentimental value is to buy more cabinets or storage containers.
In case you don’t have any space for these items, you have to consider storing them in a long-term storage facility. With a spacious storage unit of your own, you will have a safe place for the items you want to keep but don’t want in your home.
4. Get your kids involved
The last thing you want to happen at the end of an exhausting day of decluttering is seeing your kids go through your piles and rescuing some of their “valuable” possessions. This will simply defeat the purpose of all your hard work and even start a cycle that will do nothing to reduce the clutter in your home.
To avoid these problems, get your children involved in the decluttering process. Let them take charge of sorting their items in their room.
You will have an easier time convincing your kids to sort their items by turning this chore into a game. Turn it into a race; offer a reward to the first one who finishes this task.
As long as you can keep the whole process fun for your kids, they will have the energy to sort and declutter, and you will have fewer things to do and worry about.
5. Put a “clutter” basket or box in every room
Buy several medium-sized baskets or boxes and place one in each room. Instruct everyone to put toys, books, magazines, and other items that don’t usually belong in the room.
Every few days, return the items in the containers to where they belong. Get your kids to do this task as well so that the containers don’t end up becoming too full. It is also a great way to help your children build their organization skills.
6. Keep on top of your clutter every day
Before you end the day, spend 10 to 15 minutes to take care of your clutter. You can file away letters or organize the pantry or some drawers while you’re in the kitchen waiting for the dishwasher to stop.
If you don’t want to declutter at night, you can do this during the day while you’re performing certain chores. For instance, if you’re cleaning your bedroom, take the time to organize your closet, too.
Tell your kids to do the same every day as well so that their bedrooms and the other rooms they frequent won’t become messy again.
To minimize and even get rid of all the clutter in your home, make all these steps and techniques a habit. Make sure your kids develop a daily decluttering habit as well so that your home will look great and be comfortable again.
