It happens every year, you turn around and notice that there is a LOT of extra stuff laying around, and you decide it's time to get rid of it. The process can be daunting and seem insurmountable, but with a few tricks up your sleeves and a few helpers you can get the job done in no time. I've put together some of my favorite ideas, some ideas from friends, and some tips I found while scouring the Web, just in time for spring cleaning season.
Sit down and make a plan. Really think about how you want to feel in your home, and then about what style or layout will help you realize that dream. Sometimes you might want to refresh a whole room, one piece of furniture, or just get the stuff you already have organized and put out of sight. It can be helpful to actually write down a plan of action to guide you through the process.
If you're not interested in planning things out, you just want to do something, I have a different tip for you. If you've got certain projects to take care of, set a timer for 30 minutes or 1 hour, and take one project at a time. If you finish early you can take an early break or figure out the next project, and if you don't you can make yourself take a break (sometimes getting some space can give you new insight to a problem or project). You can do this a few times a day or space it out over a week or more to be able to really follow through over time.
Baskets and containers can be a huge help for making a space feel more de-cluttered and open. Placed on bookshelves, under coffee tables, in weird corners, on counter tops, inside cabinets... The possibilities are endless and really visually help to hide things that look or feel "cluttery".
Don't fight the flow. Sometimes there are places in your home that just always catch all the things that go in and out. Instead of constantly battling to keep the area free of debris, use containers to utilize it instead. A letter holder and a decorative bowl, or a coat rack with baskets underneath are both great ways to organize a place where things naturally build up.
One for one. Speaking of bringing things into the house, an easy way to make sure things don't get out of hand is to trade things out. When you buy something new for your closet, look for something that you haven't worn in at least 6 months. Another idea is to look at a piece and if you wouldn't buy it in a store right now, get rid of it. The same can go for other places in your house. Get a new side table? Get rid of that ottoman you're not really in love with. You can find just about anything to trade things out with, your home and your peace of mind will show the difference.
If you're not interested in planning things out, you just want to do something, I have a different tip for you. If you've got certain projects to take care of, set a timer for 30 minutes or 1 hour, and take one project at a time. If you finish early you can take an early break or figure out the next project, and if you don't you can make yourself take a break (sometimes getting some space can give you new insight to a problem or project). You can do this a few times a day or space it out over a week or more to be able to really follow through over time.
Baskets and containers can be a huge help for making a space feel more de-cluttered and open. Placed on bookshelves, under coffee tables, in weird corners, on counter tops, inside cabinets... The possibilities are endless and really visually help to hide things that look or feel "cluttery".Don't fight the flow. Sometimes there are places in your home that just always catch all the things that go in and out. Instead of constantly battling to keep the area free of debris, use containers to utilize it instead. A letter holder and a decorative bowl, or a coat rack with baskets underneath are both great ways to organize a place where things naturally build up.
One for one. Speaking of bringing things into the house, an easy way to make sure things don't get out of hand is to trade things out. When you buy something new for your closet, look for something that you haven't worn in at least 6 months. Another idea is to look at a piece and if you wouldn't buy it in a store right now, get rid of it. The same can go for other places in your house. Get a new side table? Get rid of that ottoman you're not really in love with. You can find just about anything to trade things out with, your home and your peace of mind will show the difference.
Lastly, when you're finally done decluttering your life, toss the trash but remember to donate anything usable. Local thrift stores or even many non profits take gently used old items of many kinds for their own fundraisers, so you're cleaning up, helping a cause, and keeping things out of the landfills. There's also a great non profit in San Rafael called Image for Success, that takes your gently used clothes for men, women, and children, and then give makeovers to people who are trying to become self reliant. You can visit their website here: Image for Success. There's a bigger and more worldwide program just for women called Dress for Success that has locations in San Francisco, and their website is here: Dress for Success San FranciscoGood luck on your projects, and have a great Friday!
~Kelly Cranmer Valadez
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