It’s almost a new year, which is a great time to start fresh. What better way to do that than by decluttering your home? In the last few years, more of us have begun working consistently from home, which means our spaces are performing more roles than they used to. It can be overwhelming to live and work in the same space, especially if it’s gotten cluttered.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry—Western Elite has you covered. Here are our tips for decluttering your home in the new year (hint: we don’t suggest just throwing everything in one of our roll away dumpsters and calling it good!).
Set Realistic Goals
The first step to decluttering your home is to set realistic goals. Don’t try to do everything at once—it’s overwhelming and you’re likely to get burned out quickly. Instead, focus on one area at a time, or one room per week if you’re feeling ambitious. And don’t forget to involve your family in the process so everyone is on the same page.
Suggestions for Breaking it Down
Get incredibly specific when decluttering your home. Instead of picking a single room, pick one wall to organize. Any furniture along the wall, such as a desk or night table, gets all of your attention for the designated time. Once you’ve finished that wall, move to the next until the room has been refreshed.
Get Rid of Things You Don’t Need
If you haven’t used it in the last six months, chances are you don’t actually need the item. But if it’s still in usable shape, you don’t have to just toss it in the trash. Instead, sell the items you no longer use or donate them to a thrift store. If you’re not sure whether or not you need something, ask yourself when was the last time you used it.
If the job of purging is bigger than a few carloads, it’s not overkill to rent a roll away dumpster to help with the task of decluttering. Be prepared with bags or boxes for items you plan to throw away, donate, or sell. Keeping the items organized will make it easier to get rid of the things you don’t need, as you won’t just be moving them around your home.
Put Things in Their Proper Place
Another simple way to declutter your home is to put things in their proper place. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how much stuff can accumulate around our homes simply because we don’t know where to put it. Take some time to figure out where things should go, and then make sure everyone in your household knows where those places are. You might even want to label some storage bins or drawers so there’s no confusion.
Tips for Putting Things Away
- Label Everything
- Color Code Storage Containers
- Put Like Items with Like Items
- Make It Convenient
Invest in Storage Solutions
If you find yourself constantly struggling with clutter, it might be time to invest in some storage solutions. This could mean anything from adding additional shelving units to your home to building a shed for seasonal storage. Storage solutions are especially helpful if you have kids or pets because they can help keep toys and belongings off the floor and out of the way. Give everyone their own space for items to encourage them to get into the habit of putting things away after each use.
Ideas for Home and Home Office Storage
- Furniture with Bonus Storage
- Floating Shelves
- Desktop Organizers
- Custom Closet Inserts
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering your home, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family members. Sometimes all it takes is an extra set of hands (or eyes) to help us see what we need to get rid of or where we should put things. If it’s in the budget, you can hire professional organizers who can lend their expertise to the task at hand. So if you’re feeling stuck, reach out for help—you’ll be glad you did!
Decluttering your home can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! By following these simple tips, you can make the process manageable and even enjoyable. And who knows—you might even find some hidden treasures along the way! If you need to rent a roll away dumpster for the job, contact Western Elite to see if your materials are accepted or not.
