These handy tips are going to show you How to Declutter Your Home Without Loosing its Charm!
Decluttering your home has many perks, including improved mental health and a more functional space. However, many people are afraid to begin because they don’t want their houses to become sterile and unfriendly.
Reducing the amount of stuff in your home should make you feel happier, not the reverse. You can find a balance between letting go and retaining the lived-in feeling you love. These tips will help you declutter to improve your life without losing your home’s personality.
Round One
In this first round, you’ll eliminate easy stuff like trash and find homes for all your belongings. By the end, your house will just be a much cleaner version of itself, but without getting rid of many possessions.
1. Toss Any Trash
The easiest way to start any declutter is to get rid of trash. Grab a garbage bag and go room to room, rounding up anything you can throw out. If you come across something you have to think about, leave it and circle back in another round. This stage should be straightforward and involve no thinking. Make it your goal to fill the bag before you’re through.
2. Keep Surfaces Clear
Your next goal is to clear off your surfaces, including tables and countertops. You can go back and add decor later if you choose, but right now, clear everything away.
The problem with flat surfaces is they’re convenient. You might place one or two items there, planning to take care of them later. However, those few things act like a magnet for more clutter until you are overwhelmed and frustrated at the mess. Kitchen counters, dressers and catch-all spots are the most significant contributors. Once you have them cleared off, be sure to wipe them down for a sparkling clean surface.
3. Have a Tidy Session
Go through your home and put away everything that’s out but already has a home. Gather everything else into a basket or bin to deal with later. This step may take only a few minutes, or you may need to spread it over several days, depending on the level of clutter in your home.
When you feel overwhelmed, set a timer for 15 minutes and go as hard as you can for that amount of time. Alternatively, you can pick two or three of your favorite songs and tidy until they finish. It’s crucial to completely finish this step before moving on. A clean home will help you breathe more freely and give you a fresh canvas for the next part of the process.
4. Create a Place for Everything
Once you finish putting away the rest of your belongings, it’s time to deal with the “homeless” clutter. Go through each item in your bin or basket and ask yourself where you’d look for it the next time you want it. Most things might have an obvious home once you give them some thought.
At this point, you might come across some things you no longer want. If so, start a donation box and put them in. However, there’s no need to force yourself. Only do what comes naturally right now.
Round Two
Your home should feel much more inviting and peaceful now — everything has a home and is safely tucked away. Next, you’ll begin the process of letting excess items go. An acceptable amount of clutter is different for everyone, so only take yourself as far as you feel you need to. There’s no magical number of items you need to reach to feel joy in your home.
5. Let Go of Big Items
This first step in round two will give you the most impact for your time spent. Go through your home and determine if there are any large items you can donate or sell. We tend to ignore the end table that takes up space or a desk we no longer use, but removing them from your home will add a lot of room.
Big toys your kids don’t play with anymore are another great thing to let go of — once you get their permission. Don’t be afraid to check the garage for other “toys,” like the car repair project you never finished or the boat you never took out.
6. Downsize Placeholder Decor
Wall decor is a great way to show off your design style, but it can clutter a room quickly. Walk around your home and seriously analyze each hanging piece. Take a moment to appreciate the items that still make you smile and pull down anything else. These placeholder pieces may have brought you joy at one time but are now just taking up space. You can let go of them without any guilt.
7. Go Digital
Paper clutter can quickly overwhelm a home — reduce your inventory by going digital. Most manuals are available online, so you can download them and recycle the hard copy. Use an app to scan receipts so you don’t have to hold on to them. Other than mementos and tax returns, there isn’t much paper clutter you need to physically hang onto.
8. Keep Only the Best
Your home should look much better at this point, but you can still take things further if you’re ready. Tackle one small area or category each day and only keep the best of what you have. For example, pull out all your cleaning supplies. Do you really need five multipurpose sprays, dozens of specialty cleaners and a whole drawer of cloths? Probably not. Assess your needs and keep only what you need. Repeat this process for other problem areas.
Reward Yourself With a Simple Makeover
Decluttering is hard work, and when you’re done, the last thing you want to do is look around and feel dissatisfied with your home.
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the excess, you can infuse new charm with items you truly love. Display your precious possessions instead of storing them. Add a fresh coat of paint or rearrange the furniture. Do something nice for yourself and your home and you’ll feel the charm once again.
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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