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Getting presents, buying trinkets, and otherwise accumulating objects can be fun. But let’s face it: lots of us have way too many things cluttering up our homes that we don’t need!
As my title notes, decluttering is a great idea because:
- It frees up space for new presents or items
- It makes our homes feel more open and spacious
- It allows unused items to be potentially used and loved by others
But decluttering can feel like a big job. In truth, it doesn’t have to be with the right steps and strategies, as outlined here by Thifty Mama Life.
Prepare Your Home for Appraisal (or Just to Get More Space!)
Many homeowners start to declutter their homes in the run-up to appraisal. This is crucial because a less cluttered home can seem cleaner and more valuable than a home of the exact same size and shape with messes strewn about the floor.
For example, you might consider getting rid of any large items you never use before moving on to other decluttering strategies. Large items like furniture or old beds take up valuable floor space and can make your home’s interior seem a lot smaller than it actually is.
Just remember to be careful when moving large items as you declutter. Whether you decide to sell them or give them to loved ones, hire a local furniture moving company to get them where they need to go. Meet with a moving company ahead of time to get a quote and fully discuss each of your needs. You can even evaluate moving companies online by reading reviews and seeing which companies offer special discounts!
Create a Checklist!
Before you launch into specific decluttering strategies, create a checklist of all the things you want to get rid of or the rooms you want to clear out. This will help you stick to your goal and be productive instead of getting lost in the sea of junk you may start to discover when you dig deep.
If your whole home is cluttered, make a checklist and try to go through one room per day. This will keep the work manageable and prevent you from getting discouraged.
Sell/Give Away Duplicate Items
Do you have several of a single type of item, like multiple copies of an old DVD? If you have any duplicate items, either sell them or give them away through a yard sale or through online marketplaces like eBay.
Duplicate items are, by definition, of no use to you, so you might as well give the duplicate to someone who will appreciate it! This goes doubly true for things like duplicate furniture, duplicate wedding gifts or dishes, and so on.
Leverage Creative Storage Options
If you have a lot of items you don’t want to get rid of, investing in creative storage solutions such as:
● Vertical drawers, which take up less floor space, can hold the same amount of stuff
● Hanging racks for shoes or other items
● Attic or basement storage
In general, if an item isn’t regularly used, it doesn’t need to be easily accessible.
Consider Each Inessential Item
As you go through your home’s clutter, take each item in hand and ask yourself honestly: is the item essential, and do you really enjoy it? This is the number one best way to get rid of things you don’t really need but might be attached to just out of habit.
For example, did you make an impulse purchase for a specific jacket, but never wear it because it doesn’t go with the rest of your wardrobe? Ask yourself if the jacket really sparks joy and if it’s essential to your happiness.
If it’s not, you might be better off giving it away or selling it, even if it’s only for 50 bucks or for far less than the original asking price.
Clean as You Go
One last tip – Budget Dumpster suggests always cleaning the spaces that you declutter as you go. If your home is very cluttered, you might knock around a lot of dust or reveal a lot of grime underneath the objects you are clearing out. This can, just like decluttering itself, feel like an insurmountable task.
You’ll feel better and make your home look and smell a lot nicer if you clean up as you go. Take a fresh washrag with you as you declutter and wipe down any exposed surfaces. Then, once you are done decluttering the room for the day, you can sweep and/or vacuum depending on your floors.
As you can see, decluttering your home is much more achievable than you might initially think. Come up with a checklist, roll up your sleeves, and start getting rid of things you don’t need, and for larger items call in a reliable furniture moving company for removal. By the end, your home will feel a lot cleaner, you’ll have way more space, and you may even make a bit of cash from selling unused items!
Image via Pexels
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