Reducing Clutter

Clutter can make any space feel cramped and disorganized.

It can also make cleaning a stressful chore, and result in clutter being moved from one room to another over and over again. In order to make your home feel clean and organized you’ll want to develop a plan to reduce clutter.

But, first, you must determine the source of the clutter you’re dealing with.

Desktop clutter is one of the most common problems households face – from piles of paperwork and receipts we plan on organizing one day to all the gadgets we put on display.

Another source of clutter comes from the items we never use. Whether they’re sentimental pieces, or something we once loved and used often, it can be hard to let go of things we never use.

A third source of clutter is created by the stuff we use to decorate our homes. While these items are great for integrating personal style into homes they can often be a bit too much and collect dust due to months of neglect.

If you fall into one (or all) of these categories then don’t feel ashamed, because it happens to the best of us. Take a look at some of my ideas for reducing clutter in the home and you’ll feel more organized (and way less stressed!) in no time.

1. Get rid of items you haven’t used in at least a year.
   You plan on using that crock pot you bought on sale 2 years ago, but until then you’re going to continue moving it from the closet to the garage to make space for more clutter. Time to get rid of it!
2. Create a place for essentials.
   Everyone needs a place for their keys and wallets – or purses – when they get home. Whether it’s a door hanger or an entryway table, a place for the essentials will save you time from searching for your wallet.
3. Create built-in storage solutions.
   Smart storage has found its way into homes, and they offer multiple compartments with doors to hide items that would otherwise make your home look cluttered.
4. Upload photos and paperwork to your computer.
   If you have boxes of old photographs and important paperwork you keep on hand then it may be time to store these items digitally and back them up on an external hard drive. Instead of bringing boxes down from the attic every time you have family over you can share these digital images with others so easily!
5. Integrate recessed storage.
   We all have items that we use once a year, but otherwise want out of our way (think: holiday decorations). Recessed cabinets, or recessed storage in your garage, are the perfect way to reduce this clutter.
6. Hold a yard sale.
   Remember that crock pot that cost you a pretty penny, but you never used? Hold a garage sale with your more costly items and use the money towards improvements on your house.
7. Keen an ongoing donation box.
   Make sure you get rid of things regularly, so the clutter doesn’t continue to build up. If you keep a donation box in your garage and drop the box off to your local donation center once it’s full you’ll be on your way to creating a clutter-free space in no time!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on what has worked for you to prevent and manage clutter in your own home!