Decluttering Your Home

Do you glance around your home and regret the suggestion of having your friends and family over for for dinner or a celebration? It’s happened to all of us. Not only do you have a lot of cleaning and preparing to do, but you’ve come to the realization that everything in your home just looks out of place or like some level of chaos. Instead of standing there and wishing you could cancel on your guests, check out my decluttering tips that are perfect for any time of the year. We guarantee that your home will feel nice and cozy (and calm) when your loved ones arrive.

I’m currently decluttering my home. I admit that I’m always a work in progress and try to do this several times a year because I seem to accumulate too much too fast. I dislike living among clutter because it makes me feel anxious. I’ve written about this topic in the past and have recently developed another list of effective decluttering tips to help you in the same way that I’ve been helping myself.

Simple Decluttering Tips Everyone Can Use

2. See Your Home through a Stranger’s Eyes

As ridiculous as it may sound, try to imagine that it’s your first time walking into your home by physically stepping outside and then coming back in.

●  What are the first thoughts going through your mind as a visitor?

●  Are there certain areas that are kind of embarrassing or that could just use a little reorganizing?

●  What can stay and what needs to go?

You can even consider inviting one of your friends over and ask what their honest first impressions were of your home. If they’re willing to be honest with you, you’ve found yourself a good friend. Accept their constructive criticisms.

3. Make a Decluttering List

As you’re going through each room of your home with tip #2 above, make a checklist of things that you need to get rid of. This will help show you exactly where you need to get started. If you’re planning on having friends and family over in the near future, we would like to recommend that you start in the living room and then move on to the kitchen and dining room areas. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to declutter and organize the rooms that your guests don’t usually see.

4. Use the Four Box Method

When you’re feeling overwhelmed and have absolutely no idea where to start, we suggest that you give the four-box method a try. Just like it sounds, you’ll need four boxes or bins that need to be labeled keep, trash, give away, or relocate. This not only helps you realize just how much you own but also where the appropriate home is for each of those items. You will use this method for each room in your house.

5. Clear off Tables and Counter Space

For whatever reason, countertops, coffee tables, and kitchen tables seem to be a breeding ground for clutter, whether it’s mail, paperwork, magazines, or any other cluttered item that you can think of. Make it a priority of yours to remove these eyesores and make sure that they don’t start showing up there again. This is one of own personal struggles. I’ve been working on it and think I’m doing better lately.

6. Donate Clothing and Items You Never Use

When’s the last time you went through all of the closets in your home and got rid of clothing that no one seems to wear? Perhaps going through the toys in the play area? If you can’t remember, then you’re way overdue! Allowing items to sit there and collect dust is just silly, so make it a habit every 3 to 6 months and donate those items to people that are in need.

7. Stow Away Items the Right Way

Keeping your home decluttered will be nearly impossible if you don’t have the right tools to keep everything organized and in its rightful place. Don’t just throw everything in miscellaneous drawers or shut them behind closet doors.

Provide each item with a home by purchasing baskets, bins, storage ottomans, or hooks for certain things to be hung up. You may even want to install shelving on the walls in your living room. Don’t stop there! You’ll feel good about yourself and your home once you’ve added the organization.

8. Fill Trash Bags on a Regular Basis

Another great way to get rid of a bunch of clutter in a hurry is to take an empty trash bag into a room with the sole purpose of getting rid of junk, such as papers, magazines, broken items, or things that just don’t make sense holding onto. Try to fill a trash bag every week or two so that clutter doesn’t accumulate.

9. Take Before and After Photos

Decluttering an entire home isn’t a quick and simple task for anyone, especially for those that have a knack for collecting things. If this is your struggle, you can motivate yourself by working on just one room of your house, such as the living room. Take a before and after picture of the room and you’ll notice the amazing difference. You’ll probably want to continue the process throughout the rest of your house.

10. Add Cheerful Scents to Your Home

While this last tip has nothing to do with decluttering, a pleasant fragrance will provide your home with just the right finishing touch. There are fragrances that are wonderful to use that bring about happy or more joyful feelings. Also, you could simply go with your favorite essential oil to help uplift everyone’s spirit.

These decluttering tips will help your home look and feel absolutely amazing so you’ll be ready for company any time. You’ll live a more peaceful and relaxing life without the extra clutter in it. What are some other simple ways that you’ve been able to get rid of clutter in your home?