The New Year is an ideal time to start anew and improve all areas of your life, including your home. To help you achieve an organized and clutter-free home, here are some tips to get you started:
- Keep things within reach: Store items you use frequently in an accessible location, such as a basket, shelf, or cabinet. Keep items that are used less often on higher shelves or in the garage or attic.
- Install wall shelves: Rather than adding more furniture to your already cluttered home, consider installing wall shelving instead. This way, you can have space for books, paperwork, picture frames, and even a television without sacrificing your home’s aesthetic.
- Take the 12-12-12 challenge: This straightforward challenge involves selecting 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to put back in their proper place in your home. This simple project helps you organize, declutter, and give to a good cause all at the same time.
- Utilize garage storage: Make your garage your main storage area. Use old dressers and other furniture to store seasonal items and things that you don’t use daily. Painting the furniture one color can create a cohesive look.
- Discard broken items: There’s no reason to keep items that are broken or unused; they’re just taking up valuable space in your home. If you haven’t used or fixed an item in the past six months, it’s probably time to throw it out or donate it.
- Use things up: Stop saving special items for the “right” time, such as fancy bath soap or an expensive spice. Use what you have before buying something new to help keep clutter at bay.
- Tackle one room at a time: To avoid feeling overwhelmed, declutter and organize one room at a time. Trying to organize too many rooms at once can lead to frustration and never getting the job done.
By following these tips every few months, you can maintain an organized and clutter-free home. A decluttered home can provide you and your family with peace of mind and room to welcome new things.
