Yes… It is true.
My life an home have become a total mess. It is embarrassing to admit, but this is my reality and I am about to change it. The change begins tomorrow, so I am taking time today to make a good plan. How did I get to this point? That story is a very deep one. Very soon, I should be able to find the courage to tell you about it.
My hubby and I will be teaming up to make this decluttering challenge a success. We have only three days to clear out, clean up, organise and make this house again.
We plan to declutter the kitchen, dining room, living room and back porch on day one. On day two, we will do the master bedroom, master bathroom and front porch. On day three, we will do the other two bedrooms, two additional bathrooms and the storage room. I know that day three sounds impossible, but those rooms appear to be less cluttered than those scheduled for days one and two.
Be sure to check back with me to see if this project will be a success. And if you are in a cluttered rut also, here are some tips I will be following that you might find helpful too.
Decluttering a living room, especially when it has been serving as a multipurpose space, can be a transformative experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you declutter and reclaim your living area:
- Visualize Your Ideal Living Room: Before diving in, take a moment to envision how you want your living room to look and feel. This will serve as your motivation and guide throughout the process.
- Start with a Clean Slate: If possible, remove everything from the room. This can make the task feel less overwhelming and give you a fresh perspective.
- Sort Items into Categories: As you take items out, group them into categories such as:
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Books and magazines
- Decor items
- Toys (if you have children)
- Miscellaneous items
- Evaluate Each Item:
- Ask yourself: Do I use this? Do I love this? Does it have a purpose or bring joy?
- For items that are broken, outdated, or no longer relevant, decide to recycle, donate, or discard them.
- If you haven’t used it in the last year and it doesn’t have significant sentimental value, consider letting it go.
- Tackle Paper Clutter: If your living room has become an ad-hoc office space, address papers and documents:
- File important papers.
- Recycle or shred unnecessary ones.
- Digitize documents when possible.
- Limit Multipurpose Use:
- If your living room must serve multiple functions, try to designate specific areas for each function. For instance, a corner can be the reading nook, while another can be the workspace.
- Use storage solutions like ottomans with storage space inside or bookshelves with baskets to keep things organized.
- Optimize Furniture Placement: Return furniture to the room piece by piece. You might discover that you prefer a different layout or that some pieces are no longer needed.
- Control Cord Clutter: Use cord organizers, clips, or tubing to bundle and hide unsightly cords from electronics and lamps.
- Use Storage Solutions: Use baskets, shelves, and storage furniture to keep things tidy. Having a designated spot for every item is key to maintaining a clutter-free space.
- Limit Decorative Items: While decor adds personality to your space, too many items can make it feel crowded. Choose a few key pieces that you love and rotate them seasonally if desired
Decluttering a very messy bedroom can be overwhelming, but breaking it down step-by-step can make the task manageable and even satisfying. Here’s a plan to help you declutter your bedroom:
- Prepare Supplies:
- Garbage bags or boxes (for trash, donations, and items to relocate)
- A laundry basket
- Cleaning supplies (e.g., all-purpose cleaner, duster, and microfiber cloths)
- Labels and markers
- Set Clear Goals: Before you start, visualize what you want your room to look like. Do you want a minimalist space? Or do you just want it tidier than it is now?
- Start Small:
- If the entire room feels overwhelming, start with one area or category. For example, focus on just the dresser or just your books.
- Commit to decluttering for just 5-15 minutes. Often, starting is the hardest part.
- Declutter the Bed:
- Make your bed. A tidy bed can instantly make the room look cleaner and give you a large surface to sort items.
- Sort Items into Categories:
- Trash: Anything that’s broken, expired, or no longer usable.
- Donate: Items in good condition that you no longer want or need.
- Relocate: Items that don’t belong in the bedroom.
- Keep: Items you use, love, and want in your bedroom.
- Clothes:
- Empty all clothes storage areas (drawers, wardrobes, boxes).
- Sort into categories: keep, donate, and trash.
- Only put back clothes you wear and love. Consider organizing by type, color, or function.
- Books, Magazines, and Papers:
- Sort into categories and be honest about what you’ll read or use again.
- Recycle outdated magazines and papers you no longer need.
- Surfaces:
- Clear off all surfaces (dressers, nightstands, desks).
- Clean and dust.
- Only replace items that belong on those surfaces, keeping it minimal.
- Under the Bed:
- Take everything out.
- Decide if items are to be kept, donated, trashed, or relocated.
- Consider using storage solutions for items you want to keep under the bed.
- Miscellaneous Items:
- Group like items together (e.g., all makeup, all accessories).
- Decide what to keep, toss, or donate.
- Deep Clean:
- Vacuum or sweep the floor.
- Wipe down all surfaces.
- Clean windows and mirrors.
- Organize:
- Implement storage solutions (e.g., organizers, boxes, hooks).
- Keep often-used items accessible and store seldom-used items higher or further away.
- Prepare Supplies:
Decluttering an extremely messy and cluttered bathroom can seem overwhelming, but with a systematic approach, you can transform the space into a serene and organized oasis. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you declutter:
- Gather Supplies:
- Large trash bags
- Boxes or baskets for sorting
- Cleaning supplies: all-purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths, scrubbing brush, etc.
- A notepad or sticky notes and a pen
- Empty It Out:
- Start by removing everything from the bathroom. This includes items from the counter, drawers, shelves, and even the shower or tub area. Lay everything out in a nearby room or area where you have space.
- Sort:
- Group similar items together: skincare products, hair products, makeup, medications, towels, etc.
- As you sort, check expiration dates. Toss any expired products, medications, or old makeup.
- Discard items that you no longer use or that are nearly empty. Be honest with yourself about what you genuinely need and will use.
- Clean:
- With everything removed, this is a perfect time to deep clean the bathroom. Wipe down counters, clean the sink and faucet, scrub the tub or shower, mop the floor, and clean any storage areas like drawers or cabinets.
- Decide On What To Keep:
- As you assess the sorted piles, decide which items are essential and which can be discarded or donated.
- Consider using the “One Year Rule”: if you haven’t used it in a year, it’s probably safe to let it go.
- Organize:
- Return items to the bathroom in an organized manner. Use organizers, bins, and trays to keep similar items together.
- Drawer dividers or small storage containers can be handy for organizing makeup, cotton swabs, and other small items.
- Consider adding additional storage solutions, like over-the-toilet shelves or hanging shower organizers, if you need more space.
- Label:
- Use a label maker or write on sticky notes to label storage bins, drawers, or shelves. This helps ensure that every item has a designated place and makes it easier to locate things.
Organizing and decluttering a master bedroom can be a liberating experience. A decluttered room not only looks better but can also help reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you declutter and organize your master bedroom:
1. Set Clear Goals:
Determine what you want to achieve. Do you want a serene retreat, or are you aiming for maximum functionality?
2. Gather Supplies:
Before starting, make sure you have:
- Trash bags or boxes for trash/recycling.
- Boxes or bins for items to donate.
- Containers or baskets for organizing.
- Labels and a marker.
- A vacuum, duster, and cleaning cloths.
3. Remove Everything:
Start with a blank canvas. This means taking everything out of the room, including furniture if possible. If that’s not feasible, just clear off surfaces and empty storage spaces.
4. Sort Items:
Categorize items as you remove them:
- Keep: Items that belong in the bedroom and you use regularly.
- Donate: Good-condition items you no longer want or need.
- Trash: Broken, outdated, or worn-out items.
- Relocate: Items that belong in other rooms of the house.
5. Deep Clean:
With the room empty or most of the clutter out of the way, it’s easier to clean. Dust, vacuum, wipe down surfaces, and wash windows.
6. Declutter Furniture:
- Bed: Make sure you have a comfortable mattress and suitable bed linens. Consider under-bed storage for out-of-season clothes or linens.
- Nightstands: Keep only essential items like a lamp, alarm clock, and a book.
- Dresser: Declutter drawers by category (e.g., socks, underwear, t-shirts). Use dividers or boxes to keep items separated.
- Closet: Sort clothes by type (shirts, pants, dresses) and then by color. Get rid of anything you haven’t worn in the past year. Use uniform hangers, and consider organizing tools like shoe racks or shelf dividers.
7. Set Up Zones:
- Sleep Zone: This is your bed area. Keep it calm and free from distractions.
- Dressing Zone: This could be your dresser and part of your closet. Make it functional with everything you need to get dressed.
- Reading/Relaxation Zone: A cozy chair, a reading lamp, and a small table can make a perfect nook.
8. Limit Decor:
Choose decor that enhances the room’s serene feel. Avoid overcrowding walls or surfaces. A few key pieces can have more impact than many smaller items.
9. Organize Essentials:
Use baskets, trays, and boxes to organize smaller items like jewelry, watches, or eyeglasses. This keeps them contained and easy to find.
Decluttering a jam-packed storage room and transforming it into an organized space can be a daunting task, but with a systematic approach and some dedication, it’s achievable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
- Set a Clear Goal: Visualize how you want your storage room to look and function. Establish a clear goal for the space, such as creating an area for specific items, adding shelves for better organization, or simply making it easier to find and access things.
- Create a Sorting System: Before you start decluttering, designate areas in the room for sorting items into different categories. Common categories include “Keep,” “Donate/Sell,” “Trash,” and “Uncertain.” Prepare bins or boxes for each category.
- Empty the Room: Take everything out of the storage room, if possible. This step will give you a clean slate to work with and help you see the space more clearly.
- Sort Items: Go through each item one by one and place them in their respective categories. Be honest with yourself and only keep items that you genuinely need or have sentimental value.
- Dispose of Unwanted Items: Dispose of the items in the “Trash” category responsibly. Consider recycling or donating items in good condition.
- Assess Storage Needs: Evaluate your storage needs based on the items you’ve decided to keep. Consider investing in shelves, bins, boxes, or storage containers that suit your requirements.
- Categorize Items for Storage: Group similar items together, and consider the frequency of use when organizing them. Frequently used items should be more accessible, while seasonal or rarely used items can be stored in harder-to-reach spaces.
- Use Vertical Space: Maximize storage by using the walls for shelving. Adjustable shelves allow you to customize the space to fit different items.
- Label Everything: Use labels to identify the contents of boxes, bins, and shelves. This will help you find things quickly and maintain the organization over time.
- Create Zones: If the storage room is large, consider dividing it into zones based on item categories (e.g., holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools). This will make it easier to find specific items when needed.
- Keep It Maintained: Regularly check and reorganize the storage room to prevent clutter from building up again. Make it a habit to return items to their designated places after use.
- Donate or Sell Unneeded Items: If you have items in good condition that you no longer need, consider donating them to charity or selling them online.
- Involve Others: If the storage room belongs to multiple people, involve them in the decluttering and organizing process to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Bonus Tips:
- Limit Electronics: The bedroom should be a place of rest. Try to keep electronics to a minimum.
- Vertical Space: Use walls for shelves or hooks to keep the floor space clear.
- Donate Immediately: After sorting out items for donation, take them to a charity shop immediately, so they don’t accumulate.
Remember that decluttering and organizing can take time, especially for heavily packed spaces. Stay patient and consistent throughout the process. The end result will be a clean, organized storage room that serves its purpose efficiently.
