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Over the years, it’s likely that you have accumulated a lot of items that you may not need. These objects may include unused or unwearable kids clothes, old toys, or items that simply have not been used in a while. Needless to say, having all these things lying around the house will result in clutter. As it is January, it is best to start the year on the right foot; and there’s no better way to do it than by clearing your house of these unwanted items. De-cluttering shouldn’t be as difficult as it sounds. You do not need to go through all your unwanted items in one go either. Simply prepare two boxes and label them “ Keep” and “Discard”. Once you have your boxes ready, you can start de-cluttering whenever there’s a suitable time.
Bedroom
Start with your bedroom -even the littlest trinkets can cause clutter at home. You may even want to look at your jewellery box; consider discarding items that you have not worn in awhile that may be of little value. Vanity drawers should also be checked. Do you need everything in them or should some of the items not be included in a particular drawer? It’s best to use your own judgment and organise your drawers as needed.
Bathroom
Aside from jewellery boxes and vanity drawers, you can also go through your medicine cabinet. Most medications have an expiry date of no more than two years and these should be discarded. Salves and medicinal creams that are past their expiry date may cause allergic reactions if used.
Kitchen and Dining Area
Do you have an old food mixer collecting dust in your kitchen cupboard? Getting rid of old, unused furniture or appliances is a great way to de-clutter – making more room in your cupboards or living spaces. Just remember, don’t be sentimental when trying to discard your old items. That refrigerator and dining table may have been wedding gifts from your relatives, but you have to let go of them if they’re not fit for use anymore or are blocking up your basement or garage.
Aside from furniture and appliances, you can discard old pots and pans. Include unused cookbooks in your “Discard” box, too (we all know we have plenty of these lying around which we haven’t used in years!)
Benefits of Living Clutter-Free
It’s important to note that you don’t need to do everything in one sitting. Take the time to plan and space out your de-cluttering goals to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Having to consciously make the choice of which things to keep or discard will aid you in differentiating between the items that you truly value and the ones that you can do without. Sometimes, all it takes is a little perspective to help you see that some items are really worth letting go off.
When clearing out your home of unwanted items, instead of just throwing them out, do consider these alternatives. If the items are usable and in good condition, you can give them away to homeless shelters or community charities in your area that might benefit from donated items. If you’re looking to make some money, you can also sell some of your items through online auctions sites like Quicksales or by holding a garage sale.
Lastly, do think twice before making purchases as the year starts. Remember to buy only items that are absolutely necessary for your home. Otherwise, that new purchase might just end up cluttering your home too!
Follow the steps above and you’re on your way to starting the New Year with less clutter!
Stephen says
How can you possible do less clutter? Clutter just gathers more clutter, like the attraction law!
Colleen says
LOL so true as we are preparing to move I have WAY to much clutter!
LyndaS says
My whole house needs to be de-cluttered! I see a big yard sale in the near future.
Colleen says
We are planning one after we buy a house as we move and clean things out.
Alison says
I so need to go through the house and get rid of things. My husband doesn’t want to do that though. Also I need warm weather to come so we can start having some yard sales!
Colleen says
I need to start working on it now instead of when we start moving but I have no where to put all the stuff I don’t need.
Julie Wood says
I am going through a lot of my stuff that I do not need and I am getting read to have a yard sale with the items. I can make some money and have less clutter!
Colleen says
That is the best way to do it.
Kelsey Apley says
I really need to un-clutter my house, I have noticed how much “stuff” has accumulated that we haven’t used in awhile so time to clean it up!
Colleen says
I notice it gets worse as I get older.
Rhiannon Rowland says
I just did this in my bedroom, it looks great and it was nice to get rid of so much stuff! Now I need to do the kids’ rooms!
Colleen says
I need to do this with my closet I did just do this with my desk.
Jenn says
De-cluttering is so cleansing. Just taking a big box to the thrift store energizes me.
Colleen says
I have SOOO Much out in my garage, we are planning a yard sale then the rest will go to Goodwill.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I am full of clutter, I must admit. I just always think someone will be able to use something so I don’t like to get rid of stuff!
Colleen says
That is my problem then of course when you do finally get rid of it is when you find you could use it.
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
I’ve been trying to declutter, but then I think “Oh my son would notice this is good” (a broken toy, lol) or something else and I have a hard time successfully decluttering.
Colleen says
It is tough and sometimes I have to do my daughters room when she is at her Grandma’s!
Donna says
My kitchen cabinets and all my closets. Sigh.
Colleen says
My kitchen cabinets and my bathroom cabinets definitely need a de-cluttering session.
Marcie W. says
I am the type that can not stand clutter and tend to purge our home 3-4x per year by donating the items we no longer use to a charity.
Colleen says
That is great better to do it often then only once in a while, not to mention it helps others.
Jo-Ann Brightman says
I have so much clutter that it is hard t start. You are right I have to pick a room or part of a room and start one item at a time.
Tammy says
We just moved in here 6 months ago and I already could be cleaning out our closet already and getting rid of some stuff. I wonder why we moved a lot of the things we did!
ellen beck says
We have lived here for 25 years…. and this is on our short list this spring. I already have boxes ready to go otu!
Colleen says
I can’t wait until we move and I can get rid of a lot of things.
TerriAnn @ Driving Mama says
Right now, our main area to keep de-cluttered is our living room. We’ve had to downsize to a much smaller apartment so clutter has to be kept to a minimum if we’re to function properly and no lose our sanity!
Colleen says
Good luck it is nice when it is done but sometimes not so fun when you have to do it.
Amy says
I always use January as an excuse for a sort out, start the year actually knowing where things are!
Colleen says
That is a good time to take stock of what you need to do.
Betsy Barnes says
We just moved last October, it was our decluttering and downsizing phase and I could not be happier. It was a bit difficult to part with some things, however, my home is in order and way less clutter 🙂
Colleen says
Since we are working at buying a new house this will be what we do as well!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
I am so not afraid to get rid of things. It’s true about the little things though, sometimes we don’t realize how many little things can cause clutter.
Colleen says
There are things over the years I wish I hadn’t gotten rid off but I much prefer to have less clutter and things look more organized and clean.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
Right now? Almost every room but especially the bedrooms. I am going to tackle at least a room this weekend. Hopefully I don’t get lost in any of the piles!
Colleen says
I really really need to do my bathroom cabinets.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
We had the children do the lower kitchen cabinets and drawers so we’ve made a step in the right direction. I just need to get motivated to do the office and our bedroom.
Shell Feis says
We just made over our entire house & did all of the major decluttering, but I’m about to start going for the little stuff. Thanks for the tips on where to look!
Colleen says
That sounds like it would be so refreshing! Good luck on the little stuff.
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
I’m definitely trying to declutter our apartment this year. It’s my mission.
Colleen says
Will be nice after you are married, when are you getting married?
HilLesha says
My closets need decluttering. 🙂
Colleen says
You can’t even walk into my closet.
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
I need to do a major declutter overhaul, after being in this house for 13 years …
Colleen says
I can only imagine how much clutter after 13 years we have way to much too.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
We are fighting clutter like CRAZY right now. THe kids are always bringing home things from school we have all the Christmas gifts piled up … it’s starting to get really overwhelming.
Colleen says
Kids and school work can so cause a lot of clutter.
Janet W. says
Our downstairs storage room could definitely use less clutter! It’s out of control right now. We need to purchase more storage bins to try and get it more organized.
Mellisa says
Less clutter always makes me feel so much better.
Angela says
I started cleaning out closets a couple of weeks ago. It’s nuts how much stuff I have accumulated. It’s time to simplify.
Lolo says
I think my entire house needs decluttering, especially the garage.
Colleen says
Yeah I think that is just about how I feel too!
Toni says
I actually just ordered something for my bathroom cosmetics and such and if I like the size of it, I may order one for my kitchen to put all my baking tools in.
Colleen says
I need to order all kinds of things but waiting to move and do it all at once.
Kathleen says
I tackled my room and closet before last year ended. I just got done reorganizing the kitchen and now I am moving on to the boys’ rooms which are a disaster.
Colleen says
You are doing a great job between that and cooking tons of food I don’t know how you do it!