March 20, 2021 is the first day of Spring, having that said, Spring cleaning is in order! Clutter at home is an inevitable side effect of a life well lived — but decluttering can be a breath of fresh air for your home and family. With the COVID-19 virus still amongst us people may be staying at home to try and social distance themselves. While spending large amounts of time in our homes they can become CLUTTERED! Here are some helpful tips to help us declutter our homes quickly and efficiently as possible: How to Declutter Your Home Without the Hassle!
Decluttering your home can feel like a huge step in and of itself but getting started is a much larger obstacle. Particularly if you have a big decluttering job ahead of you, knowing where to begin the process can be overwhelming — which is why coming up with a decluttering game plan is so essential.
- Before you dive in, figure out what your decluttering goal is. Do you merely want to get rid of visible mess, or do you want to create entirely new household organizational systems to use going forward? Knowing what your end goal is can help you prioritize tasks and figure out your next steps.
Start with what you feel is the easiest room first. If you begin with a simpler decluttering job — say, cleaning out and reorganizing your spice rack — it can empower and motivate you to tackle bigger decluttering projects.
- One super simple, straightforward option to decluttering a room is the “Four-Box Method” — using four boxes or storage bins.
Box 1: Trash
The first box will be your designated trash dump. Any items you want to get rid of that aren’t worth donating or selling go here. (Don’t forget to recycle items whenever possible!)
Box 2: Give Away/Sell
Next, designate a box for items that are still in OK condition, but that your household could do without — like old books or toys, for example. Whether you want to give these things away to family/friends, donate them to charity, or sell them in a yard sale to make a little extra money is totally up to you.
Box 3: Storage
This box is for things that you can’t or don’t want to get rid of, but that you aren’t in need of on a day-to-day basis (think things like seasonal decorations). Make an inventory of items that you’re putting in storage as you go — that way, you won’t be left wondering what exactly is taking up space in your garage or attic down the line.
Box 4: Put Away
Lastly, have a box ready to place any items that need to be kept in your house, but relocated to their proper place. If you want to get really organized, you can have a few smaller boxes — one each for places like your bathroom, kitchen, or bedrooms — and sort misplaced items into their “homes” to save yourself the hassle later.
Want one last decluttering pro tip? If you have the need for it, you can add a fifth box to this method: Repaired/replaced
One for items that can be repaired/replaced rather than tossed out or donated, like a watch that needs a new battery.
Living Room Declutter Checklist:
Your living room is where a lot of household action takes place — meaning it can be a magnet for clutter from everyone in your family. If you want to make your living room a clutter-free zone, follow this simple, three-step declutter checklist.
Step 1: Sort Through Toys, Books and Magazines
If your living room is a storage for books, magazines, and children’s toys, it’s a good idea to do a sweep of these items and sort them using the Four-Box Method. Donate old books to a local library or school, recycle old magazines, and toss any toys with too much wear and tear to donate or sell.
Step 2: Reduce the Amount of Knickknacks
There is nothing wrong with enjoying décor in your home, but too many knickknacks in your living room can make it harder to make use of the space — and harder to clean around, too. Take stock of things you have sitting out on tables and shelves, and decide what you might be willing to part with: are there old picture frames, throw blankets, or potted plants you no longer care for?
Step 3: Create a Permanent Storage Spot for Everyday Items
Instead of just leaving things lying on your coffee table, designate a basket for everyday items — like remotes, chargers, and video game controllers — and then stow the basket under an end table or in a drawer for easy access.
