Let’s Get Started

“When your intention is clear, so is the way.” Alan Cohen

One Room at a Time

Are you feeling uncomfortable with the amount of stuff in your house? Are there areas where clutter has totally taken over and you aren’t sure where to even begin decluttering? Decluttering and organizing your home might seem like an unnerving task, but you’ll be amazed to see just how much better you will feel once the job is done.

Clutter can have a negative impact on our well-being, and it can cause needless stress and anxiety. Your home should be a calm, relaxing space. When you focus on your end goal and why you want to achieve it, it can help motivate you throughout the decluttering process.

How does clutter affect your life?

Clutter is defined as a collection of things lying about in an untidy mess.

Examples of clutter include books and magazines, sports equipment and games, sculptures and baskets, a stack of papers on your desk in need of attention – anything that could be left out of place and considered unorganized.

Most of us have some kind of clutter in our homes. Whether it’s a kitchen counter that’s covered in stuff, a “junk” drawer that’s become a dumping ground for things that don’t have a home, or a garage that’s become a place to stick things you don’t know what to do with.

The best place to start is with a plan. Focus on one room and then one space within that room at a time so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Make Your Bedroom a Relaxing Retreat

The bedroom is an easy space for clutter to accumulate for a few reasons. Aside from sleeping, most people don’t spend too much time there. It’s also a space that most people generally don’t invite visitors into so it can be an easy place to hide clutter. 

1. Clear out your closet and dresser drawers

Empty the closet and drawers and get rid of socks that don’t have a match, things that no longer fit, and anything else you don’t need to keep. Only put back those things that you actually wear or are using. Don’t give in to the “I might need this sometime” mentality. That kind of thinking is what got you in this situation.

2. Don’t forget your bedside tables

Why do bedside tables have a tendency to accumulate clutter? I’m not sure why that is, but they do. Determine what doesn’t belong there and find appropriate homes for them. 

3. Take a good look at your bed

Your bed should bring you a sense of comfort. It’s your place to relax and refresh. The right bedding can make all the difference. Choose fabrics which are appropriate for your climate so that you sleep comfortably.

Be sure to make your bed when you get up in the morning and don’t use it as a place to stack things. Remember, your bedroom is your retreat.

Declutter Your Bathroom and Just Keep the Essentials

The bathroom is another hot spot for clutter. Drawers and cabinets make it easy to keep clutter out of sight and out of mind, and bathroom counters can quickly become inundated – especially in a shared space. Here’s how to begin decluttering your bathroom.

1. Clean out cabinets and drawers

No doubt, you’ll find expired medication, old makeup, broken or damaged items, and plenty of other stuff you won’t actually use again. Get rid of all of it and just put back the items which are essential for your use.

2. What’s on the counter top?

Keeping lots of stuff on your bathroom counter is sure to make the space feel cluttered. And after you clean out those cabinets and drawers, you should have extra space to put some of that stuff away. Get in the habit of putting things away when you’re finished with them.

3. Just the essentials

As you declutter the bathroom, focus on just the essential items that you use regularly. This perspective shift of keeping your mind on the things you love can make it easier to let go of the things that aren’t getting used.

The Kitchen and Countertops

Whether or not you enjoy cooking, the kitchen can easily become a spot where clutter accumulates because people enjoy hanging out in the kitchen. Also, lots of counter space means plenty of room to let clutter stack up.

Much of this clutter does belong in the kitchen – spices, fruit bowls, utensils, cutting boards, and small appliances that take up a lot of space but don’t see much use.

Other times, that clutter involves things like keys, mail, books, water bottles, and random stuff that shouldn’t even be in the kitchen. Here’s how to begin decluttering your kitchen and give yourself the peace of mind clear countertops bring.

1. Sort through each of your cabinets and drawers

Make room for storage by getting rid of anything that needs to go, like expired spices, food storage containers without lids, chipped glasses and dishes, and duplicates of utensils you don’t use. Get rid of those spoon and spatula sets you purchased…you know you only use your favorite one!

2. Clear the countertops

Find storage spaces in your cupboards for anything that doesn’t truly need to be kept out in the open. Toasters, blenders, crockpots, mixers, and other bulky countertop stuff can be kept elsewhere and brought out when needed.  You’ll love the feeling of clear countertops. You’ll be amazed at what a huge difference it makes. The kitchen will feel bigger and you’ll see how much more workspace there is.

3. Moving on to the pantry

If you have a pantry or larger food storage cupboard, when was the last time you really checked what’s inside? Pull everything out, check the expiration dates, and get rid of stuff that’s expired.

And for the rest, ask yourself if you’re really going to eat that. If not, donate it to a food bank or to your favorite charity.

Most likely, now you will have plenty of extra space to store some of those small appliances you rarely use.

Make Your Living Room a Space You Love

The living room is the heart of many homes. With so many family members passing through and spending time in this space, clutter can quickly pile up.

Fortunately, with a little effort, you can take care of that clutter and transform your living room into an organized space that you love. Here’s how to begin decluttering your living room.

1. Clean up the coffee table

Like many of us, if your coffee table has become a hotspot for clutter, clear it off. If it’s one that comes with drawers for storage, go through that too. Get rid of everything that does not belong there.

2. Clear out the general clutter

Is there stuff on the floor? Stuff on the couch? Things shoved on shelves that don’t belong? Start from one corner of the room and work your way around, removing all of the clutter that crosses your path. 

3. Evaluate your media collection

If you keep shelves filled with DVDs or Blu-ray discs in your living room, you may want to consider paring down your collection or storing them in media binders which can be tucked away in a cabinet.

You may just want to keep your favorites and sell or donate the ones you won’t watch again. Now that most everything is available through the cloud, you don’t really need to keep as many physical copies of movies anymore. 

Benefits of Decluttering

Decluttering your house will have a positive impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing, but it brings other benefits, too! Here are just a few of the ways in which you may benefit from decluttering your home.

Save Time

The little moments you spend looking for stuff and moving things from one pile to the next really do add up. You’ll be surprised to see how much time you save when you live in an organized space, with every item in it’s place.

Save Money

Have you ever bought something that you knew you already owned but simply couldn’t find? A tool, an appliance, a piece of clothing? That won’t happen if you live in an organized house – at least, it’ll happen a lot less!

That isn’t the only way you’ll save money. By keeping a clean and organized kitchen, you may be more inclined to cook instead of ordering delivery or takeout. And by making your home a relaxing, organized space where you enjoy spending time, you might save on going out. 

Sleep Better

Trying to sleep in a cluttered place can be challenging – consciously for some people, and subconsciously for others. By decluttering and organizing your bedroom, chances are you’ll find yourself resting better at night. 

Less Stress

Clutter can stress us out and make us unhappy. By eliminating that source of stress, you’ll find yourself more relaxed, in a better mood, and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you.

Decluttering can be Liberating

You’ll be amazed to see just how much better life can be when you aren’t living in a cluttered space. Make a plan to declutter your house room by room, and once you start seeing the progress you’ve made, you’ll be even more motivated to keep it going.