Enjoy and Finish Decluttering Your Home

Even with the best of intentions and effort to keep your home organized, the day will inevitably come where you will look around your house and wonder where in the world all that stuff comes from. Stuff, stuff, STUFF everywhere!

There is hope. While there are books and television shows based solely on the topic of decluttering, you don’t need to be an expert on the topic to make the magic happen in your home. With a plan and some work, your home can be decluttered and easily maintained.

Budget for a Junk Hauler

While most of the decluttering process can easily be done yourself, you may benefit from some professional assistance removing the belongings you don’t want. Consider budgeting for an experienced junk hauler to come and take away the larger items that are difficult to move (e.g., refrigerators, old mattresses, electronics, carpeting).

The Sorting Process

Before you start figuring out how to store your belongings, first get rid of all the items you don’t need. You’ve likely accumulated clothes that no longer fit, fabrics that are worn out, chipped kitchenware, blankets with holes, and old decor tucked away somewhere. Sort through your belongings and create a pile for the following categories: keep, toss, sell, and donate.

Don’t rush through this phase of the decluttering process. Spend some time thinking it over and determine what you really need and what is just taking up space. Your toss pile should be filled with items that no longer have use or cannot be repaired.

Then, divide your toss pile into what can be recycled and what can’t. Your donation pile should be full of items that can be reused, and it may even include new items you just don’t need.

Project: Organize

Once you’ve determined what is staying home, it’s a good idea to do a deep cleaning. Cleaning your home can be a DIY job, but when it comes to cleaning your furniture, you’re best off hiring a professional service. Check reviews for the services in your area to make sure you’re hiring someone with a good reputation. Before working with a furniture cleaning service, always ask for referrals from satisfied customers.

Now it’s time to hatch a plan for organizing your items. You want to choose a method that not only looks good, but that will be practical for you and your loved ones in daily life. If your kids won’t sort their toys by color into separate bins at the end of each day, then buying clear bins with the intention that your two-year-old will abide by ROYGBIV won’t do you much good. One basket may be just the key.

Go room by room, section by section. Hit every drawer, cabinet, corner, and closet. Make it a rule not to move on to the next space until the area you are working on is finished. Spend time maximizing the space and thinking of creative options that not only make the area look tidy, but which also make your belongings more accessible for viewing and grabbing.

One way you can make your home seem less cramped is to paint your walls a new color. Grays and whites can make a space appear larger, modern and cleaner. You could also change things up with modern wallpaper options. Self-adhesive vinyl wallpaper is easy to apply and can be ordered online, and you’ll be able to customize your design to your unique tastes.

Make Decluttering Your Home Fun

The quickest way to fail at decluttering and welcome all the junk back into your home—as if it never left—is to allow the process to be a tedious chore. In whatever way you can, make this a fun project, and get everyone in your household involved. That way, you all can work towards keeping your living space tidy. Some ways to make the process enjoyable are:

• Take before and after pictures to reflect on the process and stay motivated.
• Ask friends and family to join you. Make it a party—pizza, music and fun beverages included.
• Make it a competition. Who can complete their assigned area first?
• Listen while you work. Select a book, music or favorite podcast. Time will fly.

You don’t have to live in a space where your belongings overwhelm you and dictate how you organize. Decluttering your home is as easy as choosing what goes and stays and finding ways that work for you to keep it all organized. Don’t let the process be one that drains you dry. Make it fun. Make it memorable. Make it last.

If you’re preparing to purchase a home in Mid-Michigan, make sure you work with skilled and dedicated realtor Ed Constable. Call him directly at 810-938-3339.

Featured Image via Pexels.