Ideas for Decluttering
The question everyone asks is “Where do I start decluttering?”
The answer is wherever and you would like to.
In this post, I am not going to tell you where to start because I can’t see into your home. Guiding you to the areas of items that need to be organized, now that I can do, by giving you some tips on areas/items to start decluttering.
Choose one Item to Start Decluttering
“This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”
This isn’t a magical list that will automatically get your home organized but it will help you get started. Some of these you might already know others you will say “Now why didn’t I think of that?”
- Hair accessories
- Electronics
- Clothes
- Cleaning items
- Nic Nacs
- Keepsakes
- Photos
- Medicine
- Organize all drawers
- Electronic cords
- Magazines
- Toys
- Towels
- Sheet sets
Start in one area for Decluttering
Some of these items you can do in one day others may take a while. Make sure to start one item on the list at a time. To make it even less stressful, start in one room at a time. In my house, I had photos in 2 different rooms in plastic containers.
Going through the pictures separately helped me out.
They all ended up in the same area once I was ready to organize it all.
Here is a great checklist that you can download that helps you go through room by room.
Decluttering Items
Hair Accesories
Hair accessories can become overwhelming. They are usually thrown into a drawer and forgotten. We go out and buy more since they are lost in the drawer. Go through and pick out the favorite ones you like and get a nice container to organize them where they are easy to find and put up.
Electronics
Electronics are hard to part with. We spend so much money on them we tend to keep them. If you have updated that old DVD player it is probably time to part with the old one. Televisions are another hard item to get rid of. But it needs to be done. They take up to much space.
Donate any working electronics that are still in good shape to an organization that is in need. It will be appreciated.
Fold Clothes, Hang Clothes
Make sure all clothes are folded or hung up immediately after they are washed. This is an area that you need to constantly be decluttering.
Clothing is one of the main cluttering items in a bedroom. They take away from your good nights’ sleep.
Cleaning Items
Cleaning items need to be kept in a container. Keep them contained not spread out throughout the house. Keep cleaning supplies to a minimum.
Nic Nacs
So many of us have a collection of items that we want to be showcased. There is nothing wrong with that. Just keep them in an organized way. Make sure they aren’t all clustered in one spot crowding out each item where you can’t see them and enjoy them.
If you are reading this because you are home staging your house remove most of the nic nacs or collectibles and pack them up for your next home.
Keepsakes
Items we love to remind us of times past becomes clutter. I am not saying to throw them all out. Keep them in a place that will be contained and dry.
Go through all of those pieces of art from your child’s schooldays and choose a few to hold on to. Taking a picture of the rest of them before you throw them out is a great process for decluttering. This will help keep the memories going without all of the clutter.
Photos
Pictures can take up a lot of space. They are an item that is hard to get rid of. If you have a duplicate of one it’s ok to throw the others out. Like the school pictures, you get 10 wallet size and you keep them all.
There is a chance of them fading or getting stuck together also. Keep them in a cool dry place so this doesn’t happen. If you have time scan them and place them on a portable hard drive or flash drive.
Medicine
Keeping the medicine cabinet decluttered makes for an easier morning and evening. Instead of having to go through every bottle trying to find what you need have it nicely organized.
Make sure you check that expiration date on all of the bootles. No need to keep it if it’s expired. If you are holding onto a bottle to remember the name keep them in another container out of the way. Maybe even take a picture and get rid of the bottle.
Drawers
Instead of throwing everything into the drawers try folding clothes nicely. Have you ever tried the Marie Kondo folding technique called KonMari? It’s a miracle way to add space to your drawers.
For drawers that are not for clothes get some organizers to compartmentalize your items. Make it easier to find what you need.
Electronic Cords
So many electronics have cords. Especially cell phone cords. Make sure if a new cell phone is bought get rid of the old cell phone cord. Especially if it is different then your new phone. Also if the phone cord stops charging throw it out. Nothing is so frustrating as plugging in your phone and thinking it is charging and it’s not.
Old DVD players and gaming consoles have detachable cords. If you got rid of what it goes to you don’t need the cord.
Don’t throw them out if they are still good. Donate them. There’s always someone looking for a missing cord.
Magazines
We spend a lot on magazines nowadays. It’s hard to get rid of them. This is one area I have a problem with. I like my magazines.
Keep the ones you like and get holders for them. This will keep them organized.
Once again donate the ones you aren’t keeping. Make sure your address label is marked out.
If you have torn pages out you might want to donate them to an art class instead in your community.
Every day there is mail delivered that is not needed. Make sure it gets thrown away immediately.
Mail that needs to be kept needs a designated area. Get a mail sorter and keep it all in one spot.
Toys
This might be one area you will have to do when the kids are napping or at school. So many toys get forgotten at the bottom of the toy box and others keep piling up on top of them or on the floor. Minimize the clutter by going through the toys.
If you do it when the kids are home they might see the forgotten toy and want to keep it. Even if they have outgrown it.
If you’re not sure if you should give the toys away get a box for the toys and put it aside and see if the children miss them. After a couple of weeks give them away if they didn’t ask for them.
Towels
Towels need to be replaced at least every 2 to 5 years according to Martha Stewarts’ web page. If you change out the color of your bathroom or they start smelling a bit even when washing. Don’t just put them in the cupboard just in case you need them. Decluttering your towels will help other living creatures.
Give them away to an animal shelter. They need them daily.
Sheets
There is no need to be collecting all of the old sheet sets. Each bed should have one set on it then one set to put on it. So maximum 2 sets per bed. Store the set that is for that bed in the same bedroom. This way you are not cluttering up the storage in the other part of the house.
That’s the end of the 15 items for decluttering.
I hope this helps you get started on that simple life that is needed
Living in a clutter-free home is such a blessing.
Waking up to an organized house starts the day off wonderfully. Just remember as you are working on decluttering it will take a bit of time but it is so worth it. You can do it!!!
If you have any questions leave me a comment below and I will help you along the way.
