Interior Design
Written by Sheree Douglas
How to Declutter Your Home with Ease and Efficiency
Decluttering a home can be quite the task. It is emotional, frustrating, and exhilarating all at the same time.
But there are so many wonderful benefits to getting rid of the clutter. Decluttering can:
Create more space or the feeling of more space.
Give a delightful, fresh, clean feeling.
Help you refine the purpose for that area once all the extra items are removed.
Get you organized and help you to know where things are.
If you’re ready to start with a clean slate and de-stress in the process, here are my 7 best tips to help you along the way. Let’s jump right in…
1. Tackle One Room at a Time
Focusing on one area at a time helps with the overwhelm factor. Take bite-sized steps to make the project more manageable.
Focus on that room's particular needs. What are you using the space for? How is it being used and by whom? How can you pare down to just what you essentially need and get rid of the rest?
Pro Tip: If you don't LOVE it, let it go! I am not talking like here. Only keep items that you LOVE, for whatever reason.
2. Focus On a Few Uninterrupted Hours
Make a goals list for each space and allot a certain amount of time to finish that area. Set your timer and go for it!
Pro Tip: It can be very efficient to have a solid block of intentional time compared to snatched spare moments.
3. Determine Destinations for All Items
What are you supposed to do with the items you are going through? Great question! I would have several boxes or bags ready to use. Designate:
Items to sell
Items to donate
Items to gift
Items to save
Pro Tip: Even a "decide later" box could be helpful to keep momentum going when faced with tough decisions.
4. Go Guilt-Free While Decluttering
Okay guys…no beating yourself up, no feelings of guilt, no “I should have done this sooner”. Got it? You are doing it now, so hooray for that!
I know it is hard to get rid of gifts, heirlooms, or items made by our children. Snap a picture to remember them, and then let the physical objects go.
Expensive items are sometimes saved, even if we really don't love them. Sell them – it will be for a fraction of the cost, but at least it is something and someone who will actually use those items will be delighted.
Pro Tip: This is tough love! Remember, only keep the items you love, love, love!
5. Snap Photos of Sentimental Items
I finally started taking photos of some of the cute kid's projects, the old Halloween costumes, the great stuffed animals, and more. It helped me because I really wanted to keep them all. But taking pictures and letting go of stuff really gave me quite a bit more space! Not sure why I didn’t do this sooner…
6. Buy Beautiful Bins for Organization
In one of the last homes I was helping declutter, we used really nice looking grey and white woven bins. You can use baskets, wood boxes, or any other containers that you like. If they are visible in the room, make sure that they look pretty.
Pro Tip: If you have bookcases in the room, you can put some baskets that hold items and they won't look cluttered. I love the look of baskets in bookcases. Try to be sure you are not able to see what is inside unless it is really pretty too.
7. Write Rules Against Future Clutter
Once you’ve gotten your space in top shape, it is a great idea to set rules against future clutter:
Stop buying – LOL, just kidding…maybe. But at the very least, ask yourself ,"Do I LOVE this?” or “Does this help me _______?”
Ask to not get household items as gifts. This could get sensitive, so be gentle.
Get rid of an item (or two) for every new one that stays.
Pro Tip: Get on a schedule to declutter every 6 months…it is much easier (and even more efficient) each time.
If you look at pictures of well-designed rooms, there is very rarely any clutter. So, when you look around your room, are you seeing only things that are pretty and that you love? The less attractive, yet essential items should be behind closed doors, in drawers, and stored.
Decluttering has great benefits, as we talked about earlier…more space, better organization, and peace of mind, just to name a few. So, take daily steps to tidy up your spaces and keep the clutter at bay.
And when you’re done, please be proud of yourself for completing this major undertaking! Hopefully, the process was not only productive but fun too. I know I love the memories that come along with assessing each item in my home.
Oh, and if you have a little time, tell me about your decluttering experience in the comments below. I’d even love to see your before and after shots!
Happy Decluttering,
Sheree
Sheree Douglas
I work with people, who love lovely items and surroundings, to create an interior design that is a beautiful reflection of themselves and their lifestyle. I help them put together a plan, weed through the millions of items available, budget, and curate it all into their fabulous home design. I love working with people! Interior Design really can be fun, exciting and a valuable asset to your home!