Housekeeping: How to Declutter Your Home Once and for All
A change in mindset might be all it takes to help you create the streamlined, organised home of your dreams
There is enough advice on decluttering and organising to fill an entire wing of a bookstore, and a quick online search brings up billions of results. But if it were as simple as picking up a book and following the author’s advice, wouldn’t we all have perfectly organised, streamlined homes? Well, judging from my own experience, and from the experiences of the many Houzz readers who have chimed in with comments on the subject, there is a lot more to culling clutter than throwing things in a bin. Our relationship with our home, and the things in it, is charged with emotion - it’s not so easy to let go of things when something as simple as a rusted box or a worn photograph can bring memories flooding back. Below, find seven ways to move through your own mental and emotional roadblocks to work through your clutter, from the inside out.
Face your fears
This is what stands between you and the refreshingly clean and neat home you wish you had: fear of making a bad choice, fear of throwing out something and regretting it later or fear that a family member will make you feel guilty for getting rid of something. We are all experts at coming up with excuses for keeping things we really don’t want anymore.
Confront your fears, and you may find it easier to let go of possessions that have become a burden to you.
This is what stands between you and the refreshingly clean and neat home you wish you had: fear of making a bad choice, fear of throwing out something and regretting it later or fear that a family member will make you feel guilty for getting rid of something. We are all experts at coming up with excuses for keeping things we really don’t want anymore.
Confront your fears, and you may find it easier to let go of possessions that have become a burden to you.
Tackle your top problem area
What’s the one thing in your home you find it hard to even consider decluttering? Think about starting there. For some it may be books; for others, china or clothes. Find the one thing that would make the biggest impact if you could streamline it, and start your work there. Use tip number three (face your fears) and dig in.
Take a look at these 9 practical steps for getting rid of clutter
What’s the one thing in your home you find it hard to even consider decluttering? Think about starting there. For some it may be books; for others, china or clothes. Find the one thing that would make the biggest impact if you could streamline it, and start your work there. Use tip number three (face your fears) and dig in.
Take a look at these 9 practical steps for getting rid of clutter
Get and stay motivated
Find your motivation by imagining what a clutter-free home would feel like. What would it allow you to do? Why do you want this? Keep your answers in mind as you start decluttering. Once you have got the ball rolling, stop yourself from sliding back by developing a few key habits: for every new item you purchase, get rid of a similar item, and when you see something that needs to be cleaned, put away or returned, just do it.
Find your motivation by imagining what a clutter-free home would feel like. What would it allow you to do? Why do you want this? Keep your answers in mind as you start decluttering. Once you have got the ball rolling, stop yourself from sliding back by developing a few key habits: for every new item you purchase, get rid of a similar item, and when you see something that needs to be cleaned, put away or returned, just do it.
A special note for parents
Having children in the house, as any parent will tell you, can ramp up the chaos in even the most (formerly) orderly homes. Luckily, as parents, we do have control over a great deal of the stuff that enters our homes, including toys. For starters, rethink how many toys and games your child needs - an overabundance of playthings is less appreciated, harder to clean up and more likely to get broken or wasted. To get a cluttered family home back in shape takes some work; there is no doubt about that. But the habits you form to manage the chaos will pay off in sanity at home, and you will be passing those good habits along to your children.
Having children in the house, as any parent will tell you, can ramp up the chaos in even the most (formerly) orderly homes. Luckily, as parents, we do have control over a great deal of the stuff that enters our homes, including toys. For starters, rethink how many toys and games your child needs - an overabundance of playthings is less appreciated, harder to clean up and more likely to get broken or wasted. To get a cluttered family home back in shape takes some work; there is no doubt about that. But the habits you form to manage the chaos will pay off in sanity at home, and you will be passing those good habits along to your children.
Get help if you need it
If you are still feeling overwhelmed or if the job seems too big to take on alone, you can get help! Call a really organised friend and bribe him or her with free food in exchange for decluttering advice or physical help. Or call in a professional. Professional organisers have seen it all, can help you sort out even the most cluttered space, and can teach you systems that will help prevent your overstuffing your home in the future.
If you are still feeling overwhelmed or if the job seems too big to take on alone, you can get help! Call a really organised friend and bribe him or her with free food in exchange for decluttering advice or physical help. Or call in a professional. Professional organisers have seen it all, can help you sort out even the most cluttered space, and can teach you systems that will help prevent your overstuffing your home in the future.
Take it to the next level: Simplify your life
Once you have been working on whittling down for some time and are feeling good about the progress you have made, consider taking things a step further. Downsize to a smaller, easier-to-maintain space, go paperless or challenge yourself to get rid of things you don’t use.
Browse our 5 step series to creating a clutter free home
What are your decluttering tips? Tell us in the Comments below
Once you have been working on whittling down for some time and are feeling good about the progress you have made, consider taking things a step further. Downsize to a smaller, easier-to-maintain space, go paperless or challenge yourself to get rid of things you don’t use.
Browse our 5 step series to creating a clutter free home
What are your decluttering tips? Tell us in the Comments below
Glossy magazine spreads featuring perfectly organised spaces with barely a stray paper or lone shoe out of place may be fun to look at, but they are not right for everyone. The fact is, some people are more inclined to be neat and orderly, while others feel more comfortable with a lot of stuff around. Instead of fighting against your nature, learn from it and work with it.