Decluttering Projects You Can Do in 30 Minutes or Less

You may be a busy person, juggling your career, home, and family, but you don’t need to resign yourself to living in clutter. Living in a messy home can affect your mental well-being, especially as the clutter piles up.

Banish the mess one area at a time with these decluttering projects you can do in less than 30 minutes.

Clear Off Your Bedside Table

When a messy nightstand is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night, it can affect the quality of your sleep. Make your bedtime space a haven of calm and quiet by clearing away half-empty water glasses, dog-eared books, and scribbled notes.

Tackle the Junk Drawer

Do you have a drawer or cabinet in your kitchen dedicated to random junk? Set a timer for 30 minutes and go through that drawer—only that drawer. Throw away items you haven’t used in months and organize what’s left so you can see it all at a glance.

Clean Out Your Purse

Many people use their handbag or purse as a carryall, and after a few months it becomes a black hole of clutter. Take half an hour to empty out your purse and reorganize the entire bag in a way that makes sense to you. Designate space for all your essentials and throw away any trash you’ve accumulated.

Rearrange Your Spice Rack

If you spend a decent amount of time in the kitchen, you’ve probably amassed a hoard of herbs and spices for every recipe under the sun. How many of them do you really use? Are some of those spice jars getting a little old? Empty your spice rack, wipe it clean, and put back only the items you know you’ll use.

Take Stock of the Medicine Cabinet

Much like spice racks, medicine cabinets are a common repository for things you don’t often use. Empty your medicine cabinet completely and inspect each bottle. If there are expired medicines or prescriptions you no longer use, dispose of them in accordance with FDA guidelines.

Pro Tip:

Avoid flushing medicine of any kind down the toilet. Look up drug take-back programs in your area and bring your unused bottles to a place that will dispose of them safely.

You don’t need to set aside an entire weekend to declutter your living space. If you’re a busy person, banish the mess in small, manageable chunks. There are plenty of decluttering projects you can tackle in 30 minutes or less; all you need is a timer and a dose of motivation!

Interview - Sam’s Digital Services

As professional organizers we spend a lot of time speaking with our clients about keepsakes. You can’t talk about keepsakes for very long before subject of photos and videos comes up. We spoke with Lisa from Sam’s Digital Services for some advice on how to deal with all things family media.

For the busy person, what is Sam's Digital Services?

Sam’s Camera Exchange was my family business. We had camera and photo developing stores throughout Westchester County for over 75 years. When my Dad retired a few years back, myself and another long time Sam’s employee decided to continue with the digital transfer part of the business. We convert photos, slides, videos and movie film to digital formats. We offer free local pickup and delivery to our customers, and everything is done right here in Westchester so nothing ever gets put in the mail.

What are the most common items you transfer?

We transfer old movie film, any type of video tapes, slides and photos. We can also transfer audio cassettes and reel to reel audio.

How does the actual process work, in terms of getting material to you?

We pick up and deliver locally for free. If the person isn’t local we can meet at a place that works for both of us. We then convert everything and place it on a DVD, flash drive or other types of digital storage. Customers can then enjoy and also more easily share their memories with family and friends while protecting them for future generations.

Are there types of media you don't transfer?

We can can usually transfer most media. We see it all!

Besides precious memories, have there been any projects that stand out?

I work a lot with people who are moving, and organizers. They generally like to consolidate as much as they can before they move it all. I really enjoy my work and working with people. I enjoy hearing how excited my customers are to watch their movies, view their slides and generally reconnect with memories that they haven’t seen in years.

Rooms in Your Home That Need the Most Cleaning Attention

Your house is where you can relax and be yourself. It’s the most comfortable space where you spend a significant part of your life. A clean home provides safety and relaxation, which is why you need to keep your rooms free of possible dangers and pests. There are rooms in your home that need the most cleaning attention. Learn more about how to keep them clean.

Kitchen Area and Countertops

Your kitchen area is one of the rooms you use the most. It brings people together because of one crucial element we can’t live without: food. Cooking is an activity that involves many ingredients, from raw foods like fish or chicken to spicy jalapenos and spices. Cleaning will ensure no cross-contamination occurs. It’ll also prevent crumbs from collecting. These crumbs can lead to insects and pests entering the house if you leave them alone.

Bathrooms and Shower

This is the one room where cleaning is of utmost importance. A bathroom contains many germs that could cause infections. It’s where you and your family clean yourselves and get rid of dirt. The different factors that come into a bathroom will stay there unless you attend to them. Bathrooms are among the few spaces where you need to use strong disinfectants and soap.

Car Garage

This area of the house is useful for storage. But cleaning and organization are crucial to prevent pests like rats and bugs from making nests and infesting your home. You can rent a 10-yard dumpster to throw away large amounts of junk that have accumulated in the garage for years. Doing so will get rid of potential pest hiding places. Move things around, throw away items you don’t need, and create a safe and valuable space in your garage.

Patio and Trash Cans

Anywhere there’s trash, small animals, insects, and germs will appear. To have a safe space inside your house, you must also ensure that the outside is clean. It’s a good idea to keep your trash cans closed when they’re full and away from entryways to your house. Avoid keeping junk on your patio like old furniture or tables to have a safer property.

Bedrooms

The area where you sleep directly influences your health. The bedrooms are among the main rooms in your home that need the most cleaning attention. Unlike bathrooms, you can’t use harsh chemicals in your bedrooms. You only need soap, water, and some bleach to keep this area clean and safe. Washing the sheets in your bed once a week will ensure that no germs or bacteria accumulate that could cause sleeping or skin problems.

Clever Tips To Maximize Space in a Small Home

Living in a small home can be challenging. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the lack of space and quickly lose your sense of order, but organization is key. The following tips are designed to help you regain order and better use your living space. If your home includes one, you can try some ways to reorganize your basement. By learning how to maximize your space, you’ll soon find that your small home is not quite as cramped as it seems!

Eliminate Clutter

To begin, you have to get rid of the clutter. Don’t be afraid of throwing things out—you don’t need them, and it’s not doing anyone any good sitting in your closet or basement. You can also donate items that you no longer use but that someone else may need, such as gently used clothing or supplies for a local school.

Finally, make sure there are no dead spots in your home where clutter tends to accumulate; this includes corners by doors leading outside and hallways near staircases.

Get Organized

The best tip to maximize space in a small home is to organize the space you do have. Maybe there is a room that could serve a different purpose. You can start to reorganize the space you do have to extend your living space. Every room having a purpose and organized contents can make a huge difference in your daily life.

Create a Closet Office

If you want to use a closet as a home office, choose one with doors that open outward. This will give you more space inside and allow you to easily get in and out of the room without moving things around each time.

It’s also essential to make sure that there is enough room for a desk inside. You can find desks of various sizes at stores like Ikea, Walmart, or even online. 

Invest in Shelving Units

Shelving units are a great way to store books, DVDs, and other items. You can install them in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Shelving units can be intricate to match your style or simple and almost disappear within your décor. 

Go Vertical in the Living Room

It’s time to maximize the vertical space in your living room. The best tip to maximize space in a small home is to use wall space, shelves, and cabinets to store things that would otherwise take up floor space. You can also use a ladder to reach high shelves or wall hooks to hang things from the ceiling.

Clever Home Solutions

As you can see, there are many creative ways to use storage and make space in your small home. The trick is to be open-minded and think outside the box. Remember that even if you have a tiny house, it doesn’t mean you are limited when it comes to storage! Think about what you need, then start exploring all the possibilities that exist—you may find something perfect for your unique needs. Above all else, don’t give up until you’ve explored and utilized every square inch!