Is decluttering your home your New Year’s resolution? It’s the perfect time for a fresh start and a new perspective! Check out our tips to help you get a clutter-free home.
Consider What Needs to Happen
Wondering how to start decluttering and organizing your home? It all begins by considering what needs to be done in a large scope.
First, walk around your home and assess what areas have the most clutter. Brainstorm ways to condense space in these areas. Look for areas that simply need to be tidied up or organized, as they can be an easy way to open up some room. And leave no stone unturned when you’re walking around – open up closets, cabinets, and your pantry, too.
Set Attainable Goals
Now that we know what needs to happen, you can start setting realistic goals. Establishing attainable goals is important for any New Year’s resolution, not just decluttering. Of course, it’s easy to dream big, but if your expectations are too high, it can lead you to feel discouraged and give up.
Remember – you don’t have to accomplish your New Year’s resolutions in the first month. For this decluttering process, identify one or two things you can accomplish within a set time period (a week, a month, etc.). Then, when you accomplish one goal, you can move on to the next one. Soon enough, you’ll be in the rhythm of working toward your main goal by taking manageable steps in that direction.
Focus on the Little Things
Even after setting attainable goals, there will be some days that you find sticking to your New Year’s resolution hard. After a while, it can feel very overwhelming. Instead of worrying about fixing every area of your home, take a breather and focus on one or two small areas.
Your bedroom nightstand probably is one area that will fit the bill. Focus on removing any unnecessary items like keys and knickknacks, and instead, set a clear space for your phone and any medication you may need. Then, add one or two items back in to make it personal but not cluttered. Even if you only tackle this area of your home for the week, have peace of mind that you’re still making progress toward your goal!
Donate or Sell What You Don’t Need
During your declutter of rooms and closets, you’ll likely have things you need to throw out, like old paperwork and broken items. But don’t forget to keep an eye out for items you can sell or donate. Clothing that doesn’t fit, books you won’t read again, items you have more than one of, and kid’s toys that are no longer played with can all be great for someone else. Donate items to a local organization or sell items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist (or consider having a garage sale!).
Decide What Can Go in Self-Storage
Some things are worth holding onto, even if you don’t want them taking up space in your home at all times.
For sentimental and seasonal items (think holiday decorations, camping gear, ski clothes), consider renting a storage unit to keep these items safe and secure and your home clutter-free. After all, there’s no reason these items have to monopolize your precious square footage! A smaller unit can perfectly store clothes, boxes, and other compact things. Still, if you need a bit more space, larger units can accommodate all you need stored (including furniture and appliances).
Follow the “One In, One Out” Rule
If you’ve reached your decluttering goal: congratulations! It can feel very rewarding to have a home that is neat, organized, and tidy from top to bottom. But remember that to keep it in this state, you’re going to have to put in effort.
One way to help you avoid clutter in the future is by following the “one in, one out” rule. It’s not perfect but can help closets from getting too full or décor shelves from getting too overwhelming. The rule is simple: if you get something, you must remove and donate/sell/give away an item already in your home. This will help you keep an organized home and help you from making impulse buys as well.
Bay Street Storage is here to help support your New Year decluttering efforts!
Bay Street Storage is Here to Help You in the New Year
Embrace the transformative power of a brand new year! Now is your chance to bring order to your home, and we hope these tips help you get there.
Bay Street Storage is here to help support your decluttering efforts. No matter what size unit you need, we have something to help you store your items with ease. We have two convenient locations in Post Falls for you to choose from, and we’ve got all your storage needs covered. We’re here to make your storage experience easy. If you need any help, let us know!
