I’m not a neat freak with a Type A personality. I don’t have to have everything in its place at all times. But I do try not to allow my home to become overrun with “stuff.” Living amongst clutter makes me feel uneasy and disorganized mentally. It puts me in an overall funky mood. That’s why every few months, I purge my home of the extra stuff. Decluttering my home really gives me a sense of peace. I spend less time cleaning; less time looking for things, and less money buying things I already have because I can’t find them. Today, I’m sharing six things you can do right now to declutter your home.
Declutter Your Home: Do These Six Things Right Now
Declutter Your Home Tip #1 – Purge the Paper
Even though you’ve stacked those magazines from 2010 in a wicker basket, they don’t count as decor (sorry, Mom!) Old magazines take up space, attract dust and it’s time to toss ’em. If you want to save your favorite magazine articles you, digitally scan the article to a computer file or tear them out and file them in a three ring binder.
Cancel any magazine subscriptions if you haven’t had time to read in months. You declutter your space AND save a few bucks – can’t beat that.
Declutter Your Home Tip #2 – Get Rid of Those Shoe Boxes
I know some of you can’t fathom separating your shoes from their boxes. For a long time, I thought the same thing. But the truth is you don’t really need them. Once I got rid of the shoe boxes, my closet instantly got bigger.
Click here for stylish shoe storage ideas.
Declutter Your Home Tip #3 – Don’t Let Toys Take Over
Teach your children about the “gift of giving” by implementing the “one in, one out” rule. For every new toy your child gets, ask them to pick one to donate to a less fortunate child.
Declutter Your Home Tip #4 – Ditch the Duplicates
Think about it. Do you really need to keep 10 half empty bottles of shampoo, five bottles of the wrong color makeup, or five tweezers? Pare down to items that are in good condition and ones that you actually use. It becomes so much easier to keep your space organized.
Declutter Your Home Tip #4 – Don’t Keep Things Out of Guilt
Whether it’s perfume that makes you sneeze your head off or a hideous Christmas cardigan from your Aunt Edna, I’m sure you have a few gifts around the house that don’t like and will never use. But, you keep them because after all, that gift was an expression of someone’s love for you. Allow me to ease your guilty conscious. After the joy of the gift giving moment, it’s totally okay for you to pass that item along to someone else who will truly enjoy it.
Declutter Your Home Tip #5 – Don’t Be So Sentimental
You may look at your prom dress from 15 years ago or that trendy shirt from 1995 and say, “Awww, I really loved that.” I know you did. I mean I actually bought a cropped sweatshirt with a big yellow smiley face on the front. But if you haven’t worn it in ages and it doesn’t work with your other clothes, it’s time for it to go buh-bye.