Why Decluttering is Important
Decluttering your home can provide a number of benefits. It helps create a more peaceful and organized environment. It also makes cleaning easier when there is less stuff to move around and dust. Having less clutter can also make you feel calmer and less stressed.
Where to Start Decluttering
When getting ready to declutter, have a plan of which areas you want to tackle first. Common areas to declutter include:
Closets
Go through all your closets and get rid of clothes and shoes you no longer wear. Be ruthless here – if you haven’t worn it in over a year, toss it. Donate usable items to charity.
Kitchen
Go through all your cabinets, drawers, and pantry. Look for expired food items and dishes/cookware you never use. Donate any usable kitchen items.
Garage and Basement
These areas tend to collect a lot of clutter over time. Go through and determine what can be donated or thrown out – old furniture, tools, decor, sports equipment, etc.
Paperwork
Go through all your files and shred any documents you no longer need – old bills, receipts, manuals, etc. Organize what you want to keep.
Knick Knacks
Carefully look through any decor items you have sitting around your home. If they no longer bring you joy or serve a purpose, donate or trash them.
Books
Be honest about which books you’ll likely never read again. Donate these to your local library or used bookstore.
Toys
Have the kids go through their toys and take out any that are broken or that they have outgrown.
Dealing with Large Items
When decluttering and organizing your home, you may need to get rid of large items like furniture, appliances, outdoor equipment, etc. One option is to first try selling these on classified ads sites to get some extra cash. For items that are broken or you can’t sell, check if any local charities will pick them up for donation.
Alternatively, you can always rent a dumpster as an easy solution for large item removal. Las Vegas dumpster companies will deliver a dumpster bag or bin to your home that you can fill up with large items over the course of a few days. They’ll then haul everything away when you’re done decluttering. This avoids having to make multiple trips to the landfill yourself.
Staying Organized
Once you’ve decluttered, you’ll need to adopt habits to stay organized going forward:
Keep surfaces clear
Don’t let piles accumulate on counters, tables, dressers, etc. Put items away in their designated storage spots.
Deal with items as they come in
When you buy something new or receive mail, don’t just set it down anywhere. Immediately put it away properly.
Do quick daily tidy ups
Spend 10-15 minutes a day picking up stray items around the house and putting them back in their place.
Regularly purge items
Try to periodically go through your belongings again and purge what you no longer need. Don’t let clutter build up again.
Enjoy Your Decluttered Home!
Take pride in your decluttered home and make sure to maintain it. Follow the tips above to stay organized going forward. You’ll reap mental and physical benefits from living in a tidy and calming environment.
