If you struggle to find what you’re looking for at home or you’re forever tripping over things, then it might be time to consider having a de-cluttering session. Having a good clear out allows you to gain valuable storage space, see exactly what it is you own, and make your home a more comfortable place to be – that’s also easier to clean!
Where to start
De-cluttering isn’t something most people feel motivated about doing, but once it’s been done, it’s almost always worth the effort. It’s like a detox for your home, but can rub off on how you feel, too.
Often, just knowing where to start and how to go about it can be obstacles to getting the task tackled. Going through your prized possessions and weeding out unwanted and unloved items can be brutal, especially if you have hoarding tendencies, so start on the areas that are easiest to deal with first. Focus on one room first, and create a vision for that room of how you want it to be, so can you can stay focused and in control.
The kitchen or bathroom is usually a good place to start. You’re less likely to get sentimental about chucking away out-of-date jars or containers festering at the backs of cupboards. Labelling items and using storage jars is a great way to avoid having a build-up of half-empty packets of the same things in your cupboards.
Once you’ve created the extra space, try and keep it organised, so you know what you’ve got where.
Personal possessions
Going through your possessions can be hard as you’ve probably got memories and associations attached to them. But is that enough to keep hold of things you no longer use or wear? If space is at a premium, then it might be time to consider weeding out your wardrobe, or at least storing items away that you don’t use often but want to keep. For example, holiday items can be kept in your suitcase, under the bed. Treasured keepsakes should be kept in a box all together. Get into the habit of practising the rule of ‘in and out’: You buy one thing; you get rid of another you no longer need.
Make things easy to find
De-cluttering isn’t just about tidying, but about organising your things so they’re easy to find when you need them. Keep and store items in the room that they are to be used, and store like with like. Get creative with ways to store things and what to store them in. Make them look stylish rather than simply vessels to tidy things out of the way.
Get the kids involved
Kids’ toys can add a fair amount of clutter to a house, so train your little ones to tidy things away after them, and make use of large, colourful storage containers. Encourage them to see tidying up as fun. Pass on clothes and toys that they have outgrown.
Recycle and donate
Don’t think of de-cluttering as throwing things away, but more as an opportunity to donate your unwanted items to charities and homes where they will be of greater use. If you see it this way, it will feel more of a positive, worthwhile exercise. Consider how you could use old items that aren’t donate-able or sellable. For example, shabby tea towels can be great as floor rags or aged bedding makes ideal dust sheets when decorating.
This post was written by Ben Frisby on behalf of UK Oak Doors, retailers of oak doors and Victorian doors. To find out more about oak doors and Victorian doors, click here to visit their site.
Recycling and donating unwanted items will create more space at home. Recycling will minimize environmental pollution and donating items will make people happier.