6 Creative Ways to Finally Conquer Your Clutter

Is storage space a constant battle in your home? If so, your problem might be that you have too much stuff, rather than not enough storage. It's easy to overlook how much stuff is coming into your home, but if you're like most Americans, you have so much clutter that you spend 2.5 days every year looking for things you can't find. If that's not a sign of a clutter problem, we don't know what is! Today is the day that ends. Instead of letting clutter be a source of stress in your life, try these six easy strategies for finally getting your stuff under control.

1. Declutter One Room Each Weekend

Decluttering an entire house is overwhelming. But a single bedroom or linen closet? That's not so scary. Rather than taking on your entire decluttering project in one go, do it one room or storage area at a time. For really cluttered areas, such as attics, garages, and basements, give yourself a couple of weekends if you need to.

2. Declutter as You Clean

The next time you encounter something you don't really need while cleaning, don't just shove it back in a drawer. It might solve the mess, but it doesn't fix the clutter problem. Instead, get rid of it. Make a goal to identify at least one piece of clutter in each room during your weekly chores.

3. Keep a Clutter Box

Sometimes not knowing what to do with unwanted stuff stops us from doing anything at all. Rather than let indecision end in inaction, start a box where you put anything you deem to be clutter. When the box gets full, go through it and decide what to donate, sell, or throw away. This also saves you from making a million trips to the thrift store!

4. Get Creative with Storage

Just because you have a clutter problem doesn't mean you don't also have a storage problem. Bad storage solutions like junk drawers and plastic bins stuffed under the bed let you hide clutter so it's easy to ignore, but good storage makes your home more functional and discourages needless stuff. Add more functional storage with clever solutions such as rolling drawers under the bed for off-season clothing, a spice rack that fits between the refrigerator and kitchen counter, and floating shelves for books and media. Solutions like these keep your stuff accessible without turning into a dumping ground.

5. Declutter with the Seasons

If you declutter your whole house in a cleaning spree and drop everything off at the thrift store, they'll have to hold onto out-of-season items for months before finding a buyer. If you want to do the best with your decluttering (and break up the work!), schedule seasonal clean-ups. As spring and summer approach, declutter outdoor toys, recreational equipment, lawn furniture, and other warm-weather gear. When winter is on the horizon, take a hard look at your cold-weather clothing, linens, and decorations.

7. Challenge Yourself to a No-Buy Month

Impulse shoppers, this one's for you! Your house will never truly be clutter-free if you keep buying stuff you could live without. Stop the endless flow of stuff by challenging yourself to a no-buy month. Of course, essentials such as groceries and toiletries are exempt, but new clothes, décor, gadgets, and other luxuries are off-limits. After a month, you'll have a clearer view of what you really need and what's a fleeting desire.

When closets get full and drawers overflow, we tend to convince ourselves we need bigger homes or better storage solutions. In reality, most families' problem is that they have more stuff than they can handle. Before you invest in a professional organizer or upsize your house, give these decluttering strategies a try. You may realize you have plenty of space after all.

Suzie Wilson ⎸info@happierhome.net  ⎸Happier Home

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