Home Organization

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

Decluttering Strategies

Hone Your Decluttering Strategy

Organizing your home bit by bit means you can avoid the overwhelm that comes with an hours-long decluttering marathon. To get started, choose a room and select one simple task to complete. Set a timer for 15 minutes and get as much done as you can within that time. If you don't finish the project, start the timer over or come back to it later.

Chip Away at Clutter

Identify your biggest clutter issue, whether that's magazines and mail, kids' gear, or another type of item. Spend a few minutes every day, or every few days, tackling this project. As you sort through the accumulated items, determine what can be tossed, recycled, donated, or stored elsewhere. Then sort everything that's left into categories and bring in organizers to neatly contain the items.

Categorize Pantry Items

Target a category of pantry items that tends to remain jumbled and difficult to access. Focus on a single pantry staple, such as baking supplies, breakfast foods, or snacks, instead of trying to reorganize the entire system. Use bins and baskets to organize similar items, and label your containers so you know what goes where when you're unloading your next round of groceries.

 Separate Bathroom Supplies

Extra bottles of shampoo and other spare toiletries can easily get lost under your bathroom sink. To avoid purchasing more of what you already have, try professional organizer Laura Leist's "shop from home strategy." Store your excess products elsewhere, such as in a linen closet or in a basket on a shelf, and check your inventory before you go shopping.

Store First Aid Supplies

Store first aid supplies in a caddy or tray to keep your closet tidy and make it easy to carry the whole kit anywhere in the house. A utensil tray works well for corralling bandages, ointments, and first aid supplies in different compartments. Clip on file tabs to identify what goes where.