Family Lifestyle

10 Ways To Tidy Up & Declutter Your Home

January 9, 2019

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A clean & tidy, organized home may be a dream for many families, especially those who have lots of possessions – or kids with lots of clothes and toys!

Don’t fret, because even families with little ones can have a decluttered home. Read on for 10 ways you can rid your house of unsightly clutter and live in a much more organized & tidy space.

Get rid of paper clutter.

There are likely lots of permission slips, schoolwork, junk mail, and other papers floating around your home. Eliminating all the extra papers is the best place to start when decluttering your home. 

Once the papers are gone, you’ll instantly notice a difference in the amount of “stuff” filling your living areas. For those papers you need to keep, create a designated spot for them on your desk or table. Use a paper tray to keep them organized.

Go digital.

By going digital with most of your spreadsheets and papers, you will free up lots of space. Scan receipts and then toss them. Pay your bills online, opting for email notifications rather than physical mail. Store all of your favorite recipes on your iPad or other device, allowing you to get rid of notebooks or cookbooks full of your family classics.

Have your decluttering supplies on hand.

Every time you venture into a new room to declutter, have the necessary tools with you. You will want a garbage bag for trash and boxes for storage or donation. Labels and markers are also a good idea so you can write down what’s in each box. 

Clean out your closets.

The closets in your home can easily become a breeding ground for clutter. They’re probably filled with toys, clothes, and other possessions you haven’t used for years. Pull everything out of each closet, only replacing items that have value to you. Don’t forget to do this in your children’s bedrooms and any hall closets you have.

Make sure everything has a home.

Everything you choose to keep after all your decluttering should have a “home”. This is the place it returns to when you aren’t using it. If you don’t have the room for things in your house, consider downsizing to a smaller option or parting ways with it altogether.

Store seasonal items.

Free up closet space by storing off-season clothing and shoes in a separate area in your home, such as your attic or basement. You can also do this with seasonal décor. Use plastic storage bins to keep your items safe while they are being stored until their next use.

Join a decluttering challenge.

To motivate yourself to finish your declutter project, make it a game. Challenge a friend or two, racing to see who can complete the tasks first, or who can remove the most clutter from their homes. You can also join a Decluttering Challenge group on Facebook for additional support and opinions. 

Donate unused items.

As you are decluttering and storing your belongings, keep out anything you want or need. Gently used clothing and shoes can be donated to Goodwill or your local thrift store. Removing the unnecessary stuff from your home makes your space a lot more organized and clutter free!

Have a garage sale.

Another option for getting rid of unwanted clutter is to plan a garage sale. If you are starting your decluttering at the beginning of 2019, you may have to wait until it’s warm enough to have a sale like this. Simply store the items with your off-seasonal possessions until you’re ready. 

Use the wall for storage. 

Hang shelves for your knickknacks to free up counter or table space. In the kitchen, hang utensils and kitchenware to give yourself more pantry and drawer space. Finding new ways to store your belongings allows you to have a more organized environment in every room. 

Amazon Links:

Paper tray: https://www.amazon.com/Document-Desktop-Holder-Adjustable-Height/dp/B01M6BE5WF/?tag=mommpowe-20

Garbage bags: https://www.amazon.com/Hefty-Strong-Multipurpose-Drawstring-Gallon/dp/B00HNW8CXA/?tag=mommpowe-20

Storage bins: https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-19889804-Quart-Latches-4-Pack/dp/B001RCUNJ8/?tag=mommpowe-20

Kitchen hooks: https://www.amazon.com/Anwenk-Wall-Hooks-Waterproof-Refrigerator/dp/B073GS2RGZ/tag=mommpowe-20