Your house is a mess. You can’t find anything and you’re not sure where to start. You need to declutter but where do you begin?
The first step to decluttering is to accept that you have too much stuff. It’s all too easy to ignore the problem and pretend that it doesn’t exist. But if you have too much stuff, it’s time to face facts: You have to get rid of some things before you can move forward.
Why De-clutter?
Clutter is defined simply as “a large number of things that are not put away.” It’s an epidemic in our society, and it affects everyone from students setting up their first apartment to retirees downsizing from a big house.
We’ve all been there. You wake up one morning and realize that your life is a mess—literally. You have so much stuff that it’s starting to feel like your home is a catch-all for everything and anything, and it’s not just annoying, it’s also taking over. You can’t find what you need, or even remember what you have. And the worst part? You’re not even sure if it makes you happy anymore!
But there’s good news: decluttering doesn’t have to be this huge, stressful project. In fact, our team at Squab Storage has more info on storage that will help you start feeling better about your space today!
De-cluttering Solutions
If your house or apartment is bursting with possessions and you don’t know where to start, here are some solutions to help you declutter your home:
Here are our top six solutions for how to declutter when you have too much stuff:
Make a list of what you want to keep.
This is the most important step in decluttering solutions when you have too much stuff! You need to know what’s worth keeping and what’s not before you can make any decisions about how to use your space more efficiently.
If it helps, write down everything that comes to mind as a “must-keep,” then make another list with things that might be nice to keep but aren’t necessarily essential (like t-shirts from high school). Afterward, start with those items that aren’t essential and get rid of them first!
You may also want to make a second list of things that are okay to throw away or give away, as well as the third list of things that need to be fixed or repaired before they’re usable again.
Ask yourself why you have each item in your home.
Do you use it? Do you like it? What would happen if you didn’t own it? Can someone else benefit from this item more than you do? These questions will help you choose what stays and what goes.
Once you’ve identified what possessions are truly important to you, it’s time to tackle the rest of the clutter.
Rent a storage unit to store your extra stuff.
If you have too much stuff, but you don’t want to get rid of it or give it away, there are other options. You can rent a storage unit and keep your items there until you figure out what to do with them.
You may be able to rent a storage unit for as little as $25 per month. The cost will vary depending on where you live and the size of the unit.
A small storage unit might be enough if you only have one or two rooms worth of stuff to store, but if you have more than that, it may be better to get a larger unit so that everything fits comfortably inside.
Put everything in boxes, bins, or bags so it’s easy to see what you have on hand for later sorting.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/concentrated-woman-carrying-stack-of-cardboard-boxes-for-relocation-3791617/
Separate items into categories (e.g., clothing, books, electronics) and put them in separate boxes or containers. Label each container so it’s easy to put things away later when they’ve been sorted through.
If you have lots of different types of items that need sorting, consider using bins that match the rooms where they will be stored (e.g., kitchen bins for kitchen items). This makes it easier to find storage space for each category as it’s being sorted through.
Sort through your items and make three piles: keep, donate/sell, and trash/recycle/give away.
The key to successful decluttering is to focus on getting rid of the things that are weighing you down — not just organizing what’s left behind. By categorizing your belongings into three piles — keep, donate/sell and trash/recycle/give away — you’ll be able to streamline the process and avoid wasting time on items that aren’t worth keeping around.
Keep: Items you always use or love and have a place for.
Donate/Sell: Items that are in good condition but you no longer need, such as clothes you haven’t worn in years.
Trash/Recycle/Give Away: Items you don’t need anymore and can’t give away, such as broken furniture or broken toys.
Make sure you have some storage solutions in place before you start sorting through your stuff. This will help keep things organized as you go along. For example, if you’re cleaning out the garage and need somewhere to put everything temporarily while deciding what to do with it all, try using large storage bins or cardboard boxes that fit neatly under beds or in closets until you’re done sorting your stuff.
Refrain from Buying The Same old stuff
It’s easy to get caught up in the “more is better” mindset when it comes to buying things. It’s not uncommon to buy something and then immediately regret it later on.
Clutter can build up very quickly, especially if you’re not careful about what you buy. The first step in decluttering is resisting the urge to buy more stuff. If you find yourself constantly buying items that are similar to the ones you already have, stop and take some time to think about whether you really need them. Do you already have something similar? Will this item save you time or money? Will it add value to your life? If not, put down the shopping bag and walk away!
Takeaway
De-cluttering is not always easy, but it’s helpful to remember the end results. Clean, simple spaces can make life more relaxing and pleasant, whether in your home or in your office. You will feel more organized, and you will have room to breathe. These tips will help you do that, and make your life easier along the way!
