The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering and Organizing Your Home

Is your house overflowing with clutter? Do those stacks of clothes, volumes, and trinkets begin to overwhelm you? Fear not, you’re in good company. A lot of us gather items beyond our needs as time passes, and the ensuing disorder can be daunting to address.

By following some simple tips, you can declutter and organize your home, making it a more peaceful and harmonious place to live.

Start with Closets

Closets are often the most cluttered space in a home, but with some organization tips, they can become a great storage solution. Start by taking everything out of your closet and sorting it into piles of keep, donate, and sell. Then organize your clothes by type, season, and color. Invest in some closet organizers to maximize your space and make it easier to find what you’re looking for. Don’t forget to clean out your shoes and accessories as well.

Tackle the Bathrooms

Bathrooms can easily become cluttered with toiletries, cleaning products, and towels. Begin by emptying all cabinets and drawers and getting rid of anything that’s expired or you no longer need. Group like items together and invest in some clear storage bins to keep things organized. Hang shelves or organizers on the back of the door to save space and store towels in a neat and tidy way.

With the clutter gone, it’s time to give your bathroom a deep clean, starting with the shower. Scrub the walls and floor with a mixture of water and vinegar to remove any soap scum or grime. If you have mold, use a mixture of bleach and water to eliminate it. Don’t forget to clean the showerhead with vinegar to remove any buildup. Next, tackle the sink and toilet. Use a disinfectant cleaner to wipe down all surfaces, including the toilet bowl and the base of the sink. Finally, mop the floor with a floor cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar.

Organize the Pantry

The pantry may be overflowing with food items that are past their expiration dates. Start by removing everything from the pantry and cleaning the shelves. Donate any unopened items that you know you won’t use and toss anything that’s expired or stale. Purchase some airtight containers to keep cereal, pasta, and other dry goods fresh and organized. Group like items together on shelves and label them for easy identification. It’s also a good idea to put healthy, kid-friendly snacks on shelves they can reach and unhealthy snacks out of reach. Small changes like this can make a big difference!

Declutter Shelves and Countertops

Shelves and countertops can become a catch-all for all kinds of items, from books to pictures, magazines to bills, toys to unread mail, and more. Starting with the shelves, remove everything and give your shelves a good dusting. Group items by theme and size and display them in a visually appealing way. Only display items that give you joy and get rid of the rest. For countertops, follow the same general pattern: remove items, thoroughly clean surfaces, and only keep items that you truly care about. Having more usable countertop space is a gift – it’s worth the effort!

Organize a Neighborhood Yard Sale

Once your decluttering is through, you’ll likely be left with piles of items you no longer want to keep. One of the best ways to get rid of the things you no longer need is by holding a yard sale. Reach out to your neighbors and invite them to join you in a neighborhood-wide yard sale to help drum up more foot traffic. You can easily make event flyers to advertise the yard sale by using a free online template. Once the flyers are ready, distribute them around the neighborhood. After the yard sale, coordinate with neighbors to donate unsold, gently used items to a local charity.

Decluttering and organizing your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking it down into manageable tasks such as decluttering closets, bathrooms, pantries, and shelves, you can turn your home into a serene and clutter-free space. Don’t forget to get rid of anything you no longer need by donating, selling, or recycling. Happy cleaning!