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10 Steps To De-Cluttering Your Home

De-cluttering your home can seem like an impossible task when you don’t have a clue where to begin. If your closets are crammed, your drawers are stuffed and you can barely navigate through the rooms of your home, you need a clear plan to follow so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Start with these 10 simple steps and you’ll soon be feeling empowered enough to keep the process going until you have conquered the clutter once and for all:

Entry

First priority should be the entry point of your home. This may be your front door, but if you typically enter the house from the back or side, focus on that area first. Remove all items that don’t belong there, and be sure to sweep or vacuum the floor. Create a pleasing atmosphere in your home’s entry point, and you will automatically feel better when you walk into your house. Place a vase of fresh flowers on a small table, or hang a pretty picture so it’s the first thing you see when you walk in.

Bed

Your bed is the area where you should feel restful and calm. Without a good night’s sleep, you feel chaotic and stressed. Remove anything that doesn’t belong on your bed, like clothing or books. Make it a priority to change and launder your bedding at least once a week. Buy some new linen if yours are worn or faded. Remove everything that is under your bed! Ideally you want nothing stored under the bed, but if you absolutely must use that space, pack items neatly in containers and store them in an organized way. That last thing you need is a chaotic jumble under you while you’re trying to rest and recharge.

Sofa

The sofa is the piece of furniture upon which you spend time reading or relaxing. (If you usually sit in an easy chair instead of the sofa, apply this step to it instead.) Clear off anything that doesn’t belong on the sofa (or chair). Clear the space around it of clutter also, so you have a clear path leading to it. Vacuum away any crumbs on top or under the cushions, and use a lint brush to clean up the surface areas. Imagine making it an inviting space for guests (or yourself) to sit.

Coffee table

Since the coffee table usually sits right in front of the sofa, it makes sense to clear it off too. Besides, nothing makes a room look cluttered like a messy table! Even if a room is neat and orderly, one messy table can spoil the entire effect. Remove everything from your coffee table except the things you use regularly. Keep the remote for the television, and maybe the program guide. If you have other, smaller items that you want to keep nearby such as fingernail clippers or extra remote controls for the VCR or DVD player, buy a decorative box or basket in which to store them so they’re not out in plain view. Likewise, if you usually sit in an easy chair that has a small end table next to it, apply this step to it also.

Now that you’ve de-cluttered your home’s entry, bed, sofa and coffee table, you have created a more pleasing atmosphere to lift your mood when you first come home (or guests arrive), as well as improved the atmosphere of the places where you rest, recharge and relax. Those are the most vital areas; now let’s move on to some other key areas where you spend much of your time:

Kitchen table

Even if you don’t eat meals at the kitchen table, you should make it a priority to clear it off right away. If you don’t have time to sort through everything piled on the table, grab a box and put it out of sight. Then make a commitment to sorting through the box a little at a time until everything has been put away or thrown away. Obviously, once the table is cleared, make it a top priority to keep it that way! Your kitchen table is meant to be a workspace or eating space – period.

Kitchen counter

Counters are excellent breeding grounds for clutter, unfortunately. They serve as convenient places to drop things you don’t feel like putting away right now, and you rarely do so later like you intend to. Follow the same step as above for the kitchen table. Remove everything that doesn’t need to be on the counter. Use a box as a temporary storage bin if you have to. Also be sure to remove appliances that you use less than once per week and store them away.

Kitchen sink

You can’t expect to work efficiently in the kitchen if the sink is always filled with dishes. Clear the area in and around your kitchen sink and work daily at keeping it clear. Your whole kitchen will seem lighter and you’ll find cooking and other activities much easier.

Bathroom sink/counter

If you’re trying to get ready for work or a social function and your bathroom sink and counter are cluttered with bottles, jars and miscellaneous stuff, you end up feeling pressured and constricted. Not to mention embarrassed if guests need to use your bathroom! Put away all health and beauty aids, vitamins, jewelry, or anything else cluttering your bathroom. Throw away things you no longer use or bottles that are almost empty. (Do you really need to save those last few dregs of face cream?)

Shower/bathtub

Remove excess bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash from your shower area, and be sure to throw away those little slivers of soap that no one ever uses. Then scrub and clean your entire tub area.

Floors (in main rooms of house)

Of all the areas listed above, probably clearing up the floors of your home will make the biggest impact. Not only should you remove all clutter lying on the floor, also be sure to wash and sweep or vacuum all floors in your house. This will make your home look better and feel better – not to mention reducing the likelihood of breaking your neck by tripping over something!

Once you have conquered these major areas of clutter, you can begin devoting some time to clearing out closets, drawers, and other problem areas. Remember, a little at a time goes a long way!

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2008

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