![]() Then you’re in a position to work out what you need storage-wise,' says expert decluttering consultant Sarah Johnson, for Gardening Hood. Instead, focus your efforts on decluttering first and only keep items that you truly need or love. ‘Buying stylish storage baskets, like these from Walmart, may help you organize your clutter, but it doesn’t solve the underlying issue. Particularly when organizing small spaces – what’s more space-efficient than the savviest of small space storage ideas? Not needing them in the first place, that’s what! While we agree that effective storage is key to a decluttered home, getting sucked into buying stylish solutions before you’ve pared back your belongings is one trend that’s definitely not for us. While initially favored for its gentle approach to decluttering, an increase in demand for quick, perhaps more ruthless, decluttering methods has seen its popularity fade a little.Īllowing yourself an ‘undecided’ option can become a bit of a problem, particularly when you don’t establish a time frame for how long you can remain undecided – you’re essentially moving clutter from one area to another. The four-box decluttering method is pretty straightforward: set up four boxes in a room, label them ‘put away’, give away’, ‘throw away’ and ‘undecided’, then work your way through each item. (Image credit: Getty images / Damian Lugowski) Only once you’ve completed the decluttering process fully are you best placed to work out the most suitable organization methods – and storage ideas – for what’s left. While these may be helpful in the long run, they can make your life harder products, in particular, can actually become clutter – and cost you unnecessarily – if you haven’t edited your belongings first,' says professional organizer Shannon Krause of Tidy Nest. ‘We often see people establishing organizational systems or pre-empting storage solutions as a first step to achieving a clutter-free home. What you’ll soon realize, if you haven’t already, is that trying to organize and declutter at the same time is one of the biggest decluttering mistakes you can make. Decluttering and organizing at the same timeįor those with busy lives, time-saving decluttering ideas are like gold dust when it comes to organizing our homes, and those that combine the two seem even more appealing… on the surface. ‘While spring is a great time to declutter, people are realizing that "continuous decluttering" – where you incorporate habits into your daily routine, such as decluttering a drawer a day (made easier by investing in non-slip drawer organizers, like these from Amazon) or setting aside five minutes to tidy – is the key to maintaining a well-organized home,' says real estate and design expert, Cam Dowski of We Buy Houses Chicago. However, a more minimalist approach to life, in general, has seen people shift away from this ‘one-off’ tactic. You might throw a few bits and bobs away in between, but everything else is left to be dealt with on your designated decluttering day. ![]() Only keeping items that ‘spark joy’Ī bit like spring cleaning, decluttering has traditionally been labeled as one of those ‘once or twice a year only’ tasks. This might involve repurposing or upcycling items, donating to thrift stores or community organizations, or participating in other sharing initiatives,' says Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at Prohousekeepers. ‘With excessive waste at the forefront of people’s minds, we’ve noticed a growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly decluttering. ![]() Now, people are focusing not just on what they’re getting rid of, but on how they’re getting rid of it, as well. While this does make sense, hauling it all down to the tip isn’t the most environmentally-friendly thing to do. Up until recently, most methods instructed you to get rid of your decluttered items as quickly as possible – the longer you leave them hanging around, the more likely you are to change your mind. Prioritizing ‘getting rid’ over sustainable solutions Millie has written about and tried out countless cleaning and DIY hacks in the six years since she became a journalist, and has worked in both London and New York. Millie Hurst is Section Editor at Homes & Gardens, overseeing the Solved section, which provides readers with practical advice for their homes.
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