How to Declutter your Entire Home in a Day

Organizing a home can feel daunting without guidance. After living in the same space over a period of time, clutter can seem invisible. Understanding how to effectively declutter a room or an entire house can save time and ultimately prevent anxiety.

Where to Start When Organizing Your Home?

If you want to properly organize your home, there are various approaches you can take. While it may be tempting to get rid of everything in your home that you don't use frequently or don't absolutely love, it's important to be selective about what you keep. This will ensure that your home doesn't feel too empty or uninviting. For example, you may want to keep cozy armchairs for relaxation, even if you don't use them on a daily basis.

Organizing a house can take time and effort. Before deciding on what to organize or which items go where, first you must declutter.

When first decluttering a home, start by tackling one room at a time. If there is a lot of clutter, set a time limit so this task does not become overwhelming. Set a goal time for when each room should be completed and stick to the schedule. Since decluttering ultimately revolves around tossing or saving, it’s handy to have a large trash receptacle or plastic bag.

Common areas to clear off include:
-desks
-drawers
-surfaces
-closets
Depending on the state of the room, this process can become lengthy. The key to decluttering in a short amount of time is courage. Don’t be afraid to toss out items that haven’t been recently used. Clothing that hasn’t been worn in a year or tools that are unnecessary do not need to remain in the home. While sentimental items may be worth saving, not every item that was given as a gift may be worth keeping.

Decluttering is essential to the organizing process. By clearing off enough space, working from home and even sleeping, can become considerably easier.

What Should You Get Rid of When Decluttering? 

Decluttering is the process of throwing unnecessary items away while saving what is important. Items that are frequently thrown away during the decluttering stage include:
-unnecessary papers
-trash
-unwanted books
-clothing that has not recently been worn
-knick knacks
-DVDs
-magazines
-manuals that are out of date
-old or broken toys
-broken electronics
-expired cosmetics
-old prescriptions

Clutter can take many forms. Many people collect clutter because they think they might need it in the future or because it’s “wrong” to throw it away. Guilt can prevent many people from throwing away unwanted items. If an item is truly sentimental, it should be stored in a safe place. Old birthday cards or gifts that are not used, but kept “just for the sake of it” may not be necessary.

Since every home is different, the belongings that are worth saving and tossing may vary. For items that are considered important, but also take up space, storage is crucial. Containers with label holders can help sort belongings into categories. Hanging storage or shelving that can be added to the walls can also save space.

How Long Does It Take To Declutter A Home?

It depends on the home. Since each room is different and contains different types of clutter, the time may vary. Many items can be a surprise when decluttering. Wires and cables, for instance, may need to be untangled or managed. Unused cookware can also take an unexpected amount of time to sort through.

Many individuals choose to declutter smaller rooms first. This can be an efficient way to ease into larger rooms with more items. Decluttering a bathroom may only take a half hour once the cabinets are sorted through.

To cut down on the time it takes to declutter, there are some helpful tips.
1.) Set reasonable deadlines. Decluttering a 3-story house in half a day may not be practical. Instead of setting a deadline that includes the entire house, breaking time tables up by the room is often helpful. By keeping track of time, unwanted items can be sorted faster.

2.) Use storage containers. Storage containers can’t keep everything, but they can save important items that take up too much space. Photographs, out-of-season clothes, and pet toys can all benefit from additional storage.

3.) Remove non-cook related items out of the kitchen. Once everything besides the essentials are relocated, you can then sort through what is important and what can be tossed.

What Is The Best Way to Organize?

A methodical plan can help the organizational process move faster. Once clutter has been either thrown away or saved, storage is the next step. Organizing is simply choosing which items to put where at this point.

Space is an essential part of organizing. By maximizing the amount of space each room has, a home can look cleaner and more accessible. Organizing can take many forms. Additional shelving units, colorful storage containers and dressers are just a few ways to manage the necessary items in a home. When entering a room for the first time, less clutter can mean less anxiety.

Organizing a house does not have to be a chore. By taking this process one step at a time, decluttering and reorganizing can remind you of what’s important. Finding sentimental valuables and tossing expired items often cultivates a sense of purpose and well-being.

Conclusion
Since not all items are compact, organizing can also mean getting creative. Storing cords, finding space for books and using vertical shelving rather than horizontal cases can all help maximize space. Once you have space, your space is your own.

Guest Post - 8 Home Organization Ideas to Declutter Your Space

All it takes is a few busy days and your house can start to look untidy. But if you want to have guests over and simply enjoy the comfort of your own home, it’s important to keep the space free of clutter. Luckily, this isn’t difficult at all.

In the past few years, minimalist kitchens have taken off among interior designers, homeowners, and the like. So, while you’re saving space, you’ll be keeping up with the latest trends in kitchen design.

Check out eight of our home organization ideas to keep your home clean and tidy!

Storage in Your Kitchen Island

Kitchen islands are prevalent in today’s homes; in fact, you almost never see a kitchen without an island. They are quite versatile, giving you more counter space to use while cooking – not to mention you can even install a kitchen range and range hood over your island.

Most islands are fitted with lower cabinets, too. This is a great place to tuck away more dishes, towels, cleaning supplies, or whatever else might be taking up space on the counters and floors.

Open Shelving

Open shelving is easy to install and can be built almost anywhere in your kitchen, as long as you have the space. You can also make it decorative by putting knick-knacks or fancy dishware on display. This personalizes the space, too.

Open shelving is a much more cost-effective option than adding more cabinetry. In fact, kitchen cabinets are one of the most expensive areas of your kitchen to renovate. Not to mention that open shelving also takes up less space on your wall. Give it a try!

Storage Ottomans

Storage ottomans are incredibly practical for your home. They make great stools and footrests, but you can also store kitchen supplies there too. Some footstool ottomans have removable lids and you can store items inside. Or, you might find storage ottomans that feature a bottom shelf, which you can use for storage or decorative purposes.

Hanging Pot and Pan Racks

Hanging pot and pan racks are quite the space saver. If you have a kitchen island, you can install hanging racks in your ceiling – either in the center or surrounding your range.

You can also find wooden racks that attach to your wall. This is a more unobtrusive option if you don’t want the pans hanging right in the middle of your kitchen.

Have you ever scrambled around the kitchen looking for one pan that you need out of dozens that you own? Big pans likely take up the most space in your cabinets so a pan rack is a practical option to declutter those cabinets. It will make all your dishware so much easier to find. 

Drawer Organizers

These are most commonly used to separate out silverware in the kitchen. You can also use them to separate out other utensils such as spatulas, straining spoons, wooden utensils, and more. They are one of the most convenient storage-saving solutions out there – and every kitchen has them!

Garage Storage Hooks

Out of all the spaces in your home, the garage is probably one that requires the most decluttering. For many homeowners, it’s not something that they have the time to keep organized consistently. One storage method that will keep your tools neat is storage hooks. Hang your rakes, clippers, brooms, shovels, and any other hand tools you might have on these hooks rather than setting them against a wall where they might fall.

Shoe Storage Bench

If you have a big family, you might find yourself picking up your kid’s shoes all the time. They are so often scattered everywhere around the house that they get lost and you have to buy new shoes.

To solve this problem, invest in a shoe storage bench. Just set it at your entryway and have anyone who comes in place their shoes on the bench.

As an added bonus, you don’t have to worry about anyone tracking dirt, dust, or snow throughout the house either.

Closet Separators and Labels

The last tip on our list of home organization ideas is to buy closet separators and labels. This will make life easier especially if you are in a rush in the morning to head to work, take your kids to school, or just get your day started.

If you have kids, you can make a fun little project out of it too. Just make your own fun labels and find some decorative closet separators online. Then let your kids have some fun personalizing their closet.

Recap

That’s it for our article on eight storage-saving solutions to try everywhere around your house. From the bedroom and kitchen to your garage, there are so many different creative ways you can declutter your space. With these ideas, your friends, family, and guests will all be impressed at how well you keep your home tidy.

Author Bio: Eric Mellmer is the Content Marketing Manager at Proline Range Hoods. Among other things, he writes for the Proline blog and manages guest posting there as well.

Reasons Everyone Should Want To Live Clutter-Free

Life is a balancing act. Everyone is faced with making decisions that will result in different outcomes. We live and learn from the trials and errors that life has to offer. When dealing with normal stressors and obstacles, living with clutter shouldn't be one of them. Here are a few reasons why everyone should want to live free of disarray. 

Reduce Stress

When coming home from a stressful day, the last thing you want to worry about is cleaning the house. Returning home should be your breath of fresh air. However, when your space is filled with clutter, it can be hard to feel at ease. Living clutter-free will help to reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety that you might have felt throughout the day. Your solution should be in using home storage options. Everything you have should belong to a designated home. You will never find items lingering on the floor or counter because there is a specific spot for it. After you use something, put it back to ensure you will never have to worry about things being out of place. In turn, you’ll come home to a put-together, stress-free space. 

Less Clean-Up

When you see clutter, it’s like having a mental to-do list constantly running through your head. You will constantly be thinking about everything that needs to be picked up. When items are tucked away after being used, there is no overwhelming amount of clutter, allowing you to have more time to do other things. You will ultimately feel calm in the space you reside in. This should be carried into every area of the home so you are always at peace knowing things are stowed away. For example, you can use baskets in closets, plastic containers for under sinks, and drawer organizers in the kitchen. Everything will be in its home and not sitting elsewhere to be picked up.

More Accomplished

Lastly, living clutter-free will help you to be more energized and accomplished. However, living free of chaos doesn’t happen overnight. You must take a few days to declutter your space to achieve a clutter-free lifestyle. When making decisions about items you own, you will feel in charge knowing that you’re making decisions for your personal well-being. Ask yourself, “Is this item necessary for my life?”, or “Can I live without it?” Asking yourself these questions will allow you to feel in control of your life and the area you live in. Once you have decided to care only for items you cannot live without, you are able to move forward in life and use your energy towards other things you hope to achieve. To find more about the benefits of living in an uncluttered space here. 

Living clutter-free will only benefit you if you work towards it. Put things away after you use them, get rid of items you no longer need, and when you buy something new, decide on it carefully. The more you care for the items you own, the more likely you are to put things back into their designated home after you use them. As a result, you will be energized to reach goals and overcome obstacles to live a calm and stress-free life every day.

Guest Post - Free Yourself From Clutter | A Simple Guide To Get You Started

Free Yourself From Clutter | A Simple Guide To Get You Started

We’ve all got a junk drawer at home. You know the one. It’s the drawer in your kitchen that accumulates just about everything. Scissors, toothpicks, three different kinds of tape, a lighter, some rubber bands, a knife cutter, a few random jelly beans for some reason, and a receipt from three years ago, among other things.

Some people don’t limit it to their junk drawer, though, and the clutter that’s in the junk drawer takes over their entire house. Every drawer is a “junk” drawer. Closets are jam-packed, and the doors won’t shut. You can’t eat at the dining room table because it’s full of mail and other...stuff. There’s not a single surface in the house that isn’t covered.

If this sounds familiar, you probably live in a cluttered home. Clutter is simply anything you don’t like, don’t use, or don’t really need. In feng shui philosophy, it’s believed free-flowing energy creates health, wealth and love. If you have clutter in your house, you probably feel the opposite of those feelings. Clutter typically produces feelings of stress, anxiety, and recklessness.

But don’t worry; if your house is cluttered, it’s not too late to fix it. The thought of getting rid of all the clutter can be very overwhelming, but it can be done. In the article below, we will talk about clutter, and how to finally get rid of it.

The Signs Your House Is Cluttered

First things first; we need to find out if your house really is cluttered. Below is a list of 10 things that are telltale signs that you have a cluttered home. If you read anything off of this list and think, “This is me!” you probably live in a cluttered home.

• Your medicine cabinet is full of expired medicine

• You’re embarrassed to have guests over

• You have a drawer full of chords that you’re sure you need, you just don’t know why

• You find something you forgot you own every time you clean

• You have posters and artwork on the floors and tables, not your walls.

• There are clothes in your closet with the tags on them

• You have a stack of cards and letters several years old

• To you, cleaning is just putting things into the correct pile

• You can’t even throw away your junk mail

• You have the same shirt in ten different colors

If any of these struck a chord with you, your house is probably cluttered. Some of the things listed above might not seem like a huge deal, but they are often a symptom of a much larger problem.

Where Does Clutter Come From?

So you’ve accepted that you have a problem with clutter. The first step to getting rid of your clutter is to understand where clutter comes from. All clutter stems from indecision. You have ten colors of the same shirt because you couldn’t decide which color you liked best. You haven’t hung your artwork yet because you can’t decide where you want it.

You have stuff just laying around your house because you can’t decide what to do with it, and there is clutter in your life because you haven’t taken control and decided what’s important to you. When you fail to make decisions, you end up with clutter. It’s as simple as that.

Once you start making these decisions, then the clutter starts clearing up without you really trying. When you decide that shirt looks best in blue, you don’t need the other nine. When you decide that picture you bought looks fantastic over the mantle, it’s no longer taking up space on your dining room table.

If everything in your home has a place, and you put it where it belongs, and you get rid of everything that you don’t have a space for, clutter wouldn’t exist.

Why You Should Declutter

Admitting to the problem isn’t enough. If your house is cluttered, you need to fix it. Some people tend to justify their clutter, and say things like, “I know where everything is,” or, “If I didn’t need everything here I would’ve already gotten rid of it.” Those are just excuses, and the clutter really needs to go.

When you finally declutter your home, you will instantly start noticing how things are different. First, you’ll feel an instant wave of relief. All that stress you had because of the clutter will be gone. There’s science that backs this claim too. There’s a link between high cortisol, which is a stress hormone, and people who own homes with a high density of household objects. So, the more stuff you have, the more stress you experience. Remove the stuff, remove the stress.

You won’t feel as tired anymore. That’s right, the reason you’re always so tired could be directly related to the clutter in your home. A study done by the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that people with cluttered homes experience exhaustion as a result of expanding mental energy on stress that’s caused by your messy environment. Also, it’s harder to focus when your house is cluttered, so you have to try harder and spend more energy doing everyday tasks.

You won’t be putting yourself in constant danger anymore, either. How many times have you tripped over something in the floor, or knocked something off of a shelf above you because it was so cluttered? Every time you walk through or do any chores in your cluttered home, you’re putting yourself in physical danger. No one needs to sprain their ankle or get a concussion because they can’t figure out what to do with all their stuff.

Time To Declutter

Decluttering your house is one of those things that is easier said than done. The clutter in your home could have accumulated over years and years of indecision. It can be incredibly overwhelming, and the process of cleaning up the clutter is often more stressful than just living in the clutter. But because of what we’ve talked about above, the payoff is worth it. Living in a clutter-free home will significantly improve your quality of life, making the stress of decluttering worth it.

But, where do you start? You can’t just grab a trash bag a box and go nuts. You need to have a plan. The absolute first thing you have to do before you can accomplish anything is believing it’s possible.

For some of you reading this, your house has probably been cluttered for so long that you’ve given up hope of ever being clutter free. If that’s you, then the first step for you is to really believe that you can do this. Your home can be clutter free. You will never get rid of the clutter in your home if you don’t remove the clutter from your mind and allow yourself to believe it’s possible.

The “Hurricane List”

When you’re ready to start, a first thing to do is to decide what you would replace if you lost everything. If a tornado or a hurricane came through and just destroyed everything you own, what would be the first few things you replaced?

Don’t do this sitting in your home. Go to a friends house a coffee shop, or the library; somewhere where you can’t see any of the stuff sitting in your house. Just sit down and make a list of everything that would be on your list to replace immediately. Don’t worry about model numbers or brand names either. If your TV is the first thing you'd replace, just write TV. Once that is done, you can go back to your house and start cleaning, armed with a list of the things that are truly important to you.

Short, Focused Bursts

Once you’re ready to clean, it is best to work in short, focused bursts. It took a long time to accumulate the stuff, so it’ll take a long time to organize it and get rid of it. Don’t expect to complete a marathon session and get it all done in one day. Make a plan that targets specific areas you’re going to declutter, clean up, and organize over an extended period of time. Then stick to that plan, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Something that works for a lot of people is picking one room, and then working on it in 30-minute bursts. Declutter for 30 minutes, and then rest for 30 minutes. The point of this is to avoid the emotions and stress that come along with decluttering a room that hasn’t been touched in years. When you start, set a 30-minute timer, and drop whatever it is you’re doing when it goes off and walk away. Leave the space completely and allow yourself to detach for 30 minutes before you come back. Then rinse and repeat.

Utility Over Sentiment

Anyone that has decluttered their house before will tell you the absolute hardest thing to do was get rid of sentimental items. It’s very easy to get attached to things. Maybe you’ve had them since you were a kid, they have a special meaning to you, or because they represent the hard work that went into buying them. That’s completely normal; everyone has things that are sentimental to them. When you’re trying to declutter, though, you need to be able to separate yourself from those feelings.

The best way to do that is to ask yourself these questions:

What Does This Do For Me That Nothing Else Does?

Think about the utility of the item you have. Why is it unique? What does it do? Can it do more than one thing?

Do I Own Anything Else That Can Replace This?

This is the point where you line up all of your staplers and decide which one is best. Because really, who needs eight staplers? Pick the stapler that does the best job, and that holds the most value to you. The other seven aren’t necessary.

Does This Have Sentimental Meaning To Me?

When you’re deciding which appliances or electronics to keep, those first two questions are pretty easy to answer. However, when you start looking at things like old photos and knick-knacks, utility doesn’t really apply. Sentimental value is important; we’re not here to downplay what something means to you. Just try not to get overwhelmed by how much everything makes you feel versus what it does for you and how much space it takes.

You can apply those three questions to everything you own. Give yourself the appropriate time to review everything instead of deciding a room or closet is fine just the way it is. It probably isn’t. Even if it seems okay to you, that box in your office full of old papers needs to be shredded. You’ll be much happier when they’re gone and they’re not crowding you at your desk.

Take A Deep Breath And Go

This won’t be easy. This is going to take time. You aren’t on an episode of hoarders, so there isn’t going to be a fleet of dump trucks and a team of movers and psychologists that show up to help you out.

But you can do this on your own or with the help of a select few loved ones. Start out by making your plan. Take it room by room and day by day. Work in thirty-minute bursts and don’t overextend yourself and get overwhelmed.

Once you’re done, you are going to thank yourself for working so hard to get everything cleaned up. You deserve all the advantages of living in a clutter-free home.

Republished, original text here.

Author Bio: Anna Kucirkova works as a copywriter for over 4 years. She speaks 3 languages, loves traveling and has a passion for kids and writing. While she has been to many places in Europe and South East Asia, she still wants to explore the rest of the world.