Are you tired of running out of space and seeing messes around your house? Here are 7 steps to how to declutter your home and 6 basic rules needed to apply.
Decluttering and organizing a home is one of the best ways to create more space. It frees up space in your home as well as your work and mind.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made many people work from home. Also, the extended lockdown in Sydney allows me to look around my house more closely.
7 steps to decluttering your home and 6 basic rules
Have you had a lot of time to organize, but still find unnecessary things piled up?
Are you procrastinating on throwing out until the trash can is full?
Now I am going through many life changes. Due to the pandemic, our family has also undergone many changes. For example, our family has undergone many changes in eating habits. The refrigerator was filled with easy-to-prepare foods, and now I fill with fresh vegetables. I have enjoyed the time I spent eating at home.
Also, many high heels and outdoor shoes have forgotten their purpose. I’m so used to comfy slippers and sneakers now.
In my case, I don’t put on a lot of makeup, but the makeup I used to do when I went to work, is now so simplified. That way, you don’t have to buy a lot of cosmetics. To be honest, I saved money a lot.
It seems that the time has come to declutter and organize things in life again. Adapting to a new life requires real skills to effectively organize.
Let’s go back to the beginning and talk about how to effectively organize your house.
1. Basic rules to follow when declutter your home.
These rules are that I use in my life. Decluttering and Organizing any space always follow the 6 rules.
Everyone has their own principles, but these will help you declutter your home.
6 basic rules to declutter
1. Choose a space strategically to declutter.
There are many times when you are hesitant about where to start when you start tidying up. There is an order to tidying up.
Organizing household papers is time-consuming, and results are difficult to see easily. It also loses motivation.
If you organize photo albums, letters, cards, etc., emotions are bound to empathize. But keep in mind. Your memory is not in objects, but it remains in your mind. These items can be stored as digital files if you could not get rid of them.
“Clutter is often the result of delayed decision making.”
The best thing to do is to declutter a small space that you can do between 15 minutes and 2 hours.
It is effective to organize small spaces, such as stationary drawers, shoe cabinets, laundry room shelves, or frequently accessed places.
You can also plan and organize using categories, such as Clothes, Books, and Kitchenware.
At the end of your daily routine, take time to organize. For example, get into the habit of cleaning your desk for 15 minutes when you’re done with work. Don’t forget to empty the trash can.
2. Be bold and take action.
“It takes determination to see real results.”
Don’t make excuses “ I am going on a diet and then wearing them next time.”
Make a donation box, store it. If you do not use it after 1-3 months, donate or sell it. When it comes to giving, choose a charity that is meaningful to you and your community. If you are thinking about selling, I recommend eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
3. Don’t buy storage supplies before you’re done tidying up.
Occasionally, when I watch YouTube, I see a vlog that is called minimalism. The video showed the first purchase of a beautiful storage box with a unified color and design. And put stuff in the box. Visually, it looks well-decorated and clean.
However, I feel that the video on YouTube is unrealistic. I think it’s like an emotional life vlog of minimalism design rather than actual minimalism.
I decide whether to buy a storage box after I declutter and organize my house. Most of my organizing items are organized in shoe boxes. Occasionally, when I have time, I paint a picture on the box or make a cover out of discarded clothes to decorate it.
4. Consciously stop collecting clutter.
Do you check your mailbox when you come home? How do you deal with junk mail?
I immediately throw these flyers into the recycling bin and come into a house.
I also suggest trying a “one-to-one approach” if you have something to buy. That is, every time you buy something, you send something else. This simple math rule not only prevents the build-up of stuff but also makes you truly consider a new purchase.
If you’ve made an impulse buy, why not try a ‘cool down period’ before buying a new one?
When buying a product, the most important thing to consider is quality. Buy the highest quality items you can afford, and you will get more pleasure from less. This is the rule I apply when I buy things.
5. Avoid stacking things
After using the item, immediately put it back in its original place. It is for the same reason as washing dishes immediately after eating.
Utilizing space is also important. The top of a kitchen cupboard, for example, is not a very frequented space. Use this dead space to store seasonal items. It makes dead space useful. This will solve the storage shortage.
6. Maintenance and Care.
After organizing all the items, maintenance and management are important.
Be a conscious consumer and think about whether your home has room to put things before you buy.
2. Simple 7 Steps to declutter Your home
So, where should I start?
7 steps to declutter your home
1. Declutter and organize an extra room, storage, or basement, start.
Once you organize this space, you can free up space.
2. Organize the entrance and porch.
Since it is the first place in the house, it gives a clean impression when organized.
3. Tidy up the bathroom.
It usually takes less space than other rooms, so it takes less time. In addition, the results of the cleanup are immediately visible, which motivates you to keep tidying up.
4. Tidy up the kitchen.
Since it is a space that is used frequently, keeping it neatly organized has a big impact on our daily life.
5. Go to the bedroom and closet.
From now on, you will experience emotional involvement in making decisions. But don’t worry. It’s a stage everyone goes through. As you gain more experience, you get used to dealing with emotional items.
you can also read “How To Downsize Your Wardrobe.- Wardrobe Organizing.” to get an idea of how to declutter a closet. In addition, you can download “decluttering workbook and small wardrobe checklist” to use on the freebie page.
Sign Up & Get Access to the Freebie Library. Free Declutter workbook template and small wardrobe checklist printables
6. If you have children’s rooms, declutter items with them.
You have to give your children the decision of what to throw away.
One of my first failures was when I made my own decision to cut down on everything in the house. Even I made decisions on my husband’s belongings. After such a failure, I never decide on someone else’s stuff. So even now, I let my husband declutter his stuff.
7. Finally, organize items such as books, souvenirs, and paperwork.
6 6ules declutter home infographic
Conclusion
As many people say, decluttering is not a one-time thing. Maintenance and management should be practiced. Declutter living is about removing unnecessary items. It is up to you the meaning of unnecessary items.
Finally, as a bonus tip, here’s a list of places you can easily organize with 10-15 minutes a day.
wallet
desk
medicine box
bedside table
coffee table
refrigerator inside door
cutlery drawer
Declutter home vision board
What do you think? it sounds actionable, isn’t it?
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