Every house needs a storage space. It makes arranging the rest of the house easy. Plus, there are certain things you only use once or twice a year, and they need a place to go until the next time they are needed. Unfortunately, most storage spaces can become disorganized. Things will easily pile up, and before you know it, you are looking at a very untidy area. Storage space does not have to be a room. Even your cabinet, closet, or drawer is a storage space that needs to be kept organized. Take a look at these five tips that can help when decluttering.
1. Start by Determining the Reason for Decluttering
Are you hoping to declutter and organize items, completely empty the storage space or do a bit of both? Understand why you are decluttering in the first place and your end goal. Most people declutter to organize their spaces. 57% of the population admits that it is easier to find clothing when the closet is organized. Is your goal to make your lifestyle easier, or do you want to eliminate clothes you haven’t worn in years? Starting the task with a goal in mind gives you a road map of how to arrange things. If you plan to dispose of items, have a bin nearby where you will be throwing away what you no longer need.
2. Start With Easier Tasks
Easier tasks will motivate you to keep doing the job. But if you start with a room like a basement, you will get overwhelmed with the number of things to do. This can easily push you to quit. If you begin with something easier like the closet, pantry, or kitchen cabinet, your mind automatically registers this as a manageable job.
3. Have a Plan on What to Do With the Items You Plan to Get Rid of
If you don’t have a plan on what to do with whatever items you no longer need, you will keep putting away this job. Ask yourself if you will donate, sell, or throw away these items. Don’t say you’ll figure it out as you go. Things will keep getting in the way, making decluttering more tiresome. Most people have a lot of junk accumulating in their homes. Every year, the U.S. waste industry is valued at approximately $75 billion, with junk removal amounting to roughly $10 billion. With the number of waste people is getting rid of, junk removal companies are a welcome solution in helping dispose-off that waste safely.
4. Declutter One Room at a Time
Imagine decluttering your kitchen cabinet, then when you are halfway done, you find yourself decluttering the basement or garage. You will get tired quickly, the job will take longer, and most likely, not be done to perfection. Instead, handle each room at a time. For instance, clean up the house as you move towards the garage. For most people, a garage is a storage area. But it is often neglected, and that’s why it is usually the most cluttered. Once you declutter it, it is easy to see which areas need repairs. Take your garage door, for instance. According to Raynor, it is supposed to last 20 years or more if well maintained. But when the garage has become your storage space, it is easy to forget that it needs maintenance because it is one of the entry points to your home. Decluttering is a chance to reinforce security around your house.
5. Prioritize Progress Over Perfection
Decluttering is about making progress instead of achieving perfection. This process takes a lot of time, especially if you have many things. Be patient with yourself. Each item or space you arrange brings you closer to achieving your decluttering goals. As long as you are making progress, that is what matters. Before you know it, you’ll have well-arranged storage space.
These are some of the ways to make decluttering easy. It may seem like a hard task, but once you start with a plan, everything will start falling into place.