A very common New Year’s resolution is to declutter your home. Especially as the holidays come to a close at the end of the year, it can often times seem as though there is suddenly way too much stuff in your space! A new year is a great opportunity for a fresh start. Whether you are hoping to clean out your entire house, looking to give in to minimalism, or needing storage solutions for one item here and there, embarking on a decluttering journey is a great way to transition from last year.
Junk “Catch All’s”
Most people are guilty of holding on to items they know they do not actually need. Mismatched chargers and cords, endless half-dried pens, and magazine subscription mail held on to “just in case.” Decluttering these unwanted items is an important step to feel comfortable in your own space!
A common location for these items to gather is an entryway. Drawers and shelves are likely to be filled with items that don’t necessarily have a home, or a need. Going through drawers, closets, and shelving is a simple way to declutter your home. In fact, most “decluttering challenges” begin with encouraging you to clear out the spaces that tend to gather the most random stuff.
Organizing Your Cluttered Space
While getting rid of the items that you no longer need, it is important to make sure that everything you are keeping has a spot. When everything has a place it can go back to, it can stop your space from feeling overwhelming, putting aside storage space in your home is crucial. For example, if you are the type to hold on to sentimental items, such as scrapbooks, it is likely you keep them tucked away rather than being out constantly.
Not only will everything having a spot make your home feel less cluttered, but it can also make it easier to find things you need. Knowing where to look for your belongings helps you to feel like stressed. It can also help you to see if there is anything you have duplicates off. Extra items may be overlooked when placed throughout the house, but when returned to where they belong, the extra items are much more noticeable.
Utilizing storage bins is a great way to organize your belongings. Bins are especially good for storing away items you do not use as often. Extra linens, Christmas/holiday decorations, and seasonal clothing are all good items to keep in bins.
Another great way to stay organized is by utilizing desk organizers. With desks and vanities being a space in the home that we typically spend a lot of our time at, they can quickly become messy and cluttered. There are many items for purchase that can help you be more organized. Pen holders and drawer inserts/sections are available on sites such as Amazon. Using these space-saving items can help in your organization.
Closet Space
We’re all guilty of holding on to clothes we know we will never wear again. However, this just adds to the messy feeling in our home! When we clean out our a closet, our homes feel much less cluttered. Getting rid of clothes that don’t fit properly or are simply unwanted items will help to declutter. Additionally, ensuring that all clothes you do wear regularly are on hangers or folded and put away ensure you are more organized.
What After?
It’s important to make sure that after you declutter your home, you ensure that the items actually make it out of your home! It’s easy to put things aside and move them around while decluttering, but simply moving clutter about doesn’t actually make the space any more organized! When decluttering unwanted items, recycle and donate what you can. Furniture and clothes that are still in useable condition are appreciated by thrift stores.
After you declutter, it doesn’t mean that it’s time to refill your space with items. Keeping a space clean and organized can be difficult, but being a conscience shopper and homeowner can help in keeping a space as mess free as possible. Minimalist thought processes believe that anything that isn’t 100% necessary shouldn’t be in the home. A similarly extreme thought process relating to decluttering is “known as “Swedish Death Cleaning.”
The theory says that it is important to keep a clean and organized space, to alleviate the stress of your loved ones in the case that you pass. While that can be an extremely intense way of thought, it still helps us remember that everything we bring into our home is going to affect us and others in one way or another. Make sure that you aren’t bringing in excess items you know you won’t need and utilizing storage to keep your home organized.
Home Decluttering & Organizing Tips
Everyone wants an organized home, but not everyone can say that their home is truly clutter free. A new year and fresh start can be a great time to try to declutter! You don’t have to completely rid all of your belongings as some of the more ardent approaches suggest… Still, getting rid of some clutter here and there can still make your home feel more peaceful, organized, and decluttered.
Find a new home for all your belongings!
Are you decluttering because you want to move in 2024? If you are, then Marketplace Homes can help you find the dream new construction home you’ve always wanted. We also have many beautiful new construction rental listings in markets across the U.S.!