Tips for de-cluttering your home

Feeling that urge to purge? No matter how big or small your living space is, there’s nothing quite like ridding your home of the “stuff” that’s bogging you down. If you’re officially out of storage space or your junk drawers have taken on a life of their own, we’re here to help! We’re not going to lie, de-cluttering your home or apartment can be overwhelming. The key is to take it a little at a time so you’re not starting something you can’t finish. Remember that closet you regretted ripping apart? Been there. So why not start with five minutes every other day to help conquer your mess? It’s a start!

Find your starting place

While you may want to jump right in, it’s a good idea to go room-by-room to keep things under control. Focus on the bathroom one day and toss expired medicine, old makeup and all those little samples you’ve been holding on to (and swore you’d use!). Then move on to the bedroom and living spaces (well, hello there VHS cassettes!). You’ll feel so much better knowing where everything is when you wake up the next day.

Pace yourself

Going through your closet is a major task on its own, so set aside the proper amount of time for this one. Try the Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger Experiment a few months before you tackle this and see just what you’re still wearing – and what you’re not. It’s hard, but try not to let emotional attachments keep you from donating pieces you haven’t worn in over six months.

What not to do

There are lots great tips out there, but sometimes it’s helpful to know what not to do. Organizing and de-cluttering guru Nicole Anzia of Neatnik has some great words of advice that can help you harness the chaos in your home:

1. Organize first, buy second. Buy storage bins and boxes after you’ve sorted through your home so you know just what you need.

2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Spend only a few hours on one project or space.

3. Complete each task – completely. Once you’ve decided where things are going to go (charity, to a friend, recycling), take it there. Right away.

4. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Expect regular upkeep even after you’ve organized your space.

5. Good enough is enough. Perfection is not the goal, so set up a space that works well for you and only you.

Aaaahhh. Don’t you feel better already?