Downsizing isn’t a one-and-done activity. It takes dedication, reflective thinking, and even lifestyle adjustments. Decluttering your home frees up valuable physical space. But, more importantly, inspires one to reconsider the value of materialism in their life. This is exactly what draws people to homes with smaller footprints and tight-knit communities. Thinking about what is truly important and realizing that owning more “things” just isn’t it. Here are our top decluttering tips!
Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. – William Morris
Though, if you do have a lot of stuff and you’re not sure where to start, don’t be intimidated – downsizing and decluttering is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you are looking for the best decluttering tips, here is some advice on parting with unnecessary objects and keeping your home free of clutter.
Re-Evaluate the Object’s Value while Decluttering Your Home
It’s normal for the value of objects to change over time. Perhaps a painting stored in your closet doesn’t invoke the same feeling it did when it first came into your possession. Maybe you’re holding onto a collection of handbags you haven’t used in a decade that just aren’t your style anymore. You might even realize that you have switched to a more fulfilling hobby, and you haven’t touched that box of oil paint in years. Evaluating the meaningfulness of your possessions will help you come to a comfortable conclusion about whether or not you should get rid of them. Some questions to ask yourself are:
- When was the last time I used this item? Do I foresee myself using it again?
- Is this item helpful, practical, or sentimental?
- How would my life change if I decide to get rid of this item? Would I know it if were gone?
Don’t Just Throw Away – Sell or Donate
Some items that are no longer valuable to you have the potential to be valuable to someone else. This can include clothes, furniture, and knick-knacks that are still in relatively good condition – so if it’s not broken, don’t throw it away! Donating to local consignment shops is not only better for the environment than tossing your things, but it’s also a good way to give back to your community. If you’d prefer to sell, Facebook Marketplace is a fantastic platform for listing your unwanted items in exchange for some cash in your pocket.
Take Advantage of Vertical Space for Storage
Now that you have a good idea of what you do and don’t need, you should optimize storage for the items you are keeping. Tall bookcases, wall shelves, and the like are efficient storage since they don’t take up a lot of square footage in your home.
Clean as You Go while Decluttering Your Home
Whether it be a plate from that sandwich for lunch, or your mug from that morning’s coffee don’t let the dishes pile up. The bigger a mess becomes, the more intimidating it is to clean up, which can lead to more stress and procrastination. If you have a dishwasher, load it throughout the day; take out the trash instead of stuffing the garbage down; if you use something, like a letter opener from the junk drawer or a screwdriver from the toolbox, put it back right away. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed by clutter by keeping up with it.
Be Mindful of Your Buying Habits
A majority of today’s products are extremely cheap and accessible. Therefore, it is tempting to pick something up off the shelf that is not a necessity. This is not a suggestion to never treat yourself by purchasing something you want, but it’s a good practice to evaluate the usefulness and happiness an object will bring to your life before you take it home.
Hopefully, these home decluttering tips will give you a new perspective on the things you may be holding onto and how you interact with objects in your home. The goal is for you to be happy and comfortable in your home and freeing up space occupied by unnecessary objects is a great start. You’ll find yourself feeling accomplished, less burdened, and more attuned to what is truly important in your life.
