There is an evil that lurks within everyone’s home. It sneaks up without warning, and all of a sudden you realize it. Your home has become cluttered. This is something that happens to everyone, and it’s nobody’s fault. We just tend to accumulate a lot of things, and eventually they migrate from one room to the other, and that is when we notice our home’s have become cluttered. But not to fear! Decluttering can actually be a fun and rewarding process and isn’t all that daunting a task when you use these ten useful tips!
#1 – Get Creative With Containers
You don’t always have to use those generic gray totes to store your stuff! Why not make a trip to the craft store and find some unique containers that you can easily decorate yourself? Nothing like small personal touches to brighten up a room! One thrifty tip is to shop at your local dollar store to find some cute containers, too!
Source: Pixabay
#2 – Bonus Space
Make sure to utilize every inch of space that is at your disposal! The backs of doors are great places for hanging shoe organizers, jewelry organizers, etc.
Source: Pixabay
#3 – Newspaper Ninja
We all have newspapers that are laying around the house in various locations. Pare them down by putting them all together in one area, whether it be a basket by your favorite chair or a magazine rack, they’ll be easy to find next time you’re searching for reading material.
Source: Pixabay
#4 – Mail Call
Have you ever received a ton of junk mail, only to put it on the counter and forget about it? Days later, you realize you forgot to send a bill payment out, only to find it under that pile of junk mail? Organize your mail by incoming and outgoing, using designated containers. Oh, and that junk mail? Just toss it out!
Source: Pixabay
#5 – Cleaning The Kitchen
Kitchens can be one of the most-often cluttered rooms in the house, especially with all of those cookbooks that we reach for every now and then. When you have some free time, grab those cookbooks, peruse them at your leisure, and pick out your favorite recipes that you’d like to keep from them. Scan the recipes and put them in a designated recipe binder and donate the books! You’ll be surprised at how much space you’ll be saving!
Source: Pixabay
#6 – Tentative Layaway
We all have those items that we are unsure about parting with. Whether its a favorite sweater or a well-loved book. It can be anything. Instead of getting rid of those items immediately, try putting it on a tentative layaway. Simply put the items that you are unsure about into a cardboard box. When that box has become full, close it up and write the date on it. Come back to the box a year later. If you haven’t needed or missed anything from the box, it is time to get rid of it.
Source: Pixabay
#7 – Saturday Morning Cleanouts
Every couple of months or so, gather the family together on a Saturday morning (or a day when everyone is free,) and set a timer for thirty minutes. Have everyone go through their belongings and box up what they don’t want or need anymore, or have them clean a certain area of the house. After those thirty minutes are up, pack the boxes into the car, along with the family, and drop off to nearest donation center. Reward family accordingly!
Source: Pixabay
#8 – The Three Questions
One great way to figure out whether or not to keep an item is to ask yourself three specific questions. Do you love it? Do you need it? Could someone else use it? According to your answers, you should be able to deduce whether or not to keep it.
Source: Pixabay
#9 – Turn Chores Into A Game
The kids will love doing chores again when you introduce games into the mix! Grab some ping pong balls, or paper, or really anything else that you can write on. Write various household chores on them. Place them in a basket and mix them up well. Have each family member grab one. They must do the chore they pulled. Once they are finished, they can get another one. Set a timer for an hour. The person who collects the most “chores” wins a prize of your choice.
Source: Pixabay
#10 – Chore Charts
When you employ the use of a chore chart, everyone in the family can help with keeping the house free of clutter. Using a chore chart is a great way for young children to learn responsibility. Assign chores to each child according to appropriateness for their age and their abilities, etc. When the chore charts are full after each week or month, share a reward with them.
Source: Project Nursery