Now that we’re spending more time at home, you might be noticing how much stuff you have. Perhaps you struggle to find places for everything or maybe you’re redecorating and need to figure out what fits in with the new décor and what doesn’t. Decluttering may seem overwhelming, but taking some tips from the pros can help.
The Marie Kondo Method
We can’t talk about decluttering without mentioning Marie Kondo. Her KonMari method set the internet abuzz with its utter simplicity. To make it work, go through your belongings one-by-one and ask yourself if each object brings you joy. If not, you probably don’t need it.
Work your way through closets, drawers, and cabinets, then move around through each room and storage area throughout your home. Don’t feel like you have to do it all at once, work one room at a time. Sell, trash, or donate whatever you decide doesn’t bring you joy.
The “Have I Used it in 5 Months?” Test
This is a simple tactic you can use across your entire home. Go room by room and ask yourself if you’ve used a given item in the past 5 months. Souvenirs, photo albums, and keepsakes obviously may not fit this test, but many household objects and items will. Books are another item that is an exception to the rule, however, if there are books you do not plan to reference or read again in the future it may be time to part with them.
Hold a Yard Sale or Sell Items Online
Once you’ve decided which items are worth parting with, you may find it worthwhile to host a yard sale. Sort through your things and decide which may have a decent resale value. Not sure how to host a successful yard sale? Check out these tips. Items of higher value or collectibles will probably be best sold on a site like eBay. Women’s’ and children’s’ clothing in good condition may be best sold on a site like ThredUp where you can send a full bag of clothes and sell them at consignment.
Get a Little Extra Space
Do you find that you can’t bear to part with some items, but they’re taking up valuable space in your home? Self storage might be a great option for you. It’s perfect for storing seasonal items and clothing, holiday decorations, and out-of-season sports items.
Staying Decluttered
Now that you’ve managed to declutter your home, how do you keep it clean and organized? One answer is to ensure each item has a home and return items to that spot after each use.
Being disciplined with purchases also reduces clutter as there are less things in your home to start with. Avoid buying stuff you don’t really need and wait 24 hours when possible before making an unplanned purchase to decide if you really need it.
Be sure to also check out our guide to storage and organization podcasts for more decluttering advice.
