First Things First: Declutter and Reorganize
Every year, decluttering and organizing my home makes it way on to my January to-do list. And while it may seem a little early for “spring cleaning”, getting rid of items I no longer use, and organizing what’s left, never fails to set me up for success on my next big task.
Whether you’re getting ready to sell, re-designing a space, or simply looking to freshen up your home, getting rid of clutter and organizing your belongings should always be the first step. Not only will it make your home look and feel more spacious, but it will leave you feeling confident, accomplished and ready to take on your next home project.
How to…
Purging and organizing is much easier said than done. - but there are plenty of ways to do it efficiently and effectively.
One
The first thing you will want to do is focus on the areas that require the most attention. I always recommend tackling the smaller areas before committing to an entire room- it’s much more achievable and way less stressful. Junk drawers, kitchen pantries, office shelving and closets are a great place to start
Two
Next up is sorting! Saying goodbye to items that have been in your home for some time can be difficult, but it is important to remember that simply moving clutter from one spot to another won’t do you - or your space- any good. So grab a few bins and start separating your belongings into different categories.
- Keep: items that make your house, your home.
- Donate: items still in good condition that you don’t quite have the heart to throw away.
- Throw away: items that no longer serve you or your home.
Three
Now that you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize what’s left. Having fewer items doesn’t always guarantee that your space won’t appear cluttered - so you want to make sure that the items do keep work well in your space.
Check out my guide on how to style shelving for some tips and inspiration!
Keeping it up…
The last thing you want to do is put hours of work into your space, only to have it cluttered and unorganized again a week or two later. To ensure you don’t end up back where you started, make use of accessories such as baskets, pretty file boxes, and labelled jars.
In sight, in mind: Open shelving and see-through wire bins can do wonders for your organizational skills. Cluttered cabinets and drawers are easy to hide from guests (and yourself), but open shelving and organizers can force you to keep them tidy. Not to mention it will make it much easier to locate your belongings!
No matter the size of the area, decluttering and reorganizing is rarely a fun task - but it’s always worth it. So make like Marie Kondo and take your space- and mood- to the next level!
With love,
Kristina
