Clutter Be Gone!

Spring is approaching and it’s time to do a little cleaning. No one likes it, but you and your apartment will feel much better after unloading some accumulated clutter.

Sort It

This is the toughest; getting rid of the build-up. Enlist the help of a friend if you tend to be a hoarder. Pick a room and don’t leave it until it’s been de-cluttered. Empty the closets, the shelves, under the bed – no corner will be left untouched.Each item you pick up must meet some purpose in your life and/or the house. If it doesn’t (or you don’t even know what it is/where it came from/how to use it) then it’s time for it to go.This is especially true in the kitchen which can get bogged down by handy but never used small appliances and other chef ‘helpers.’ If you have collections or lots of knick knacks, consider spreading them around the house or creating a new spot in one of your rooms for them. This will not only help you corral them, but also spice up your interior.

Don’t let your possessions define you – you are in control of your stuff. In the future, never put something down to be put away later. Deal with each item that comes into your house immediately. Find a home for it or send it back out the door.

Remove It

Before the big clean, schedule a charity to come pick up your extra stuff. This will prevent procrastination and you’ll feel better knowing your unwanted items will go to help someone in need. If you find you have some pieces you are unwilling to part with, box them neatly and in a year, bring them back out for another look. You may decide you can live without them, or you may be in the mood to put them back on show.

Doing a mini de-clutter with the change of seasons is handy too. Put away bulky coats and heavy blankets and bring out lighter jackets and a brighter throw for the bed. By this stage you should also know what it is that’s always keeping your home cluttered, and where the clutter ends up. Magazines waiting to be read? Piles of mail? Stuff brought home from work? Unfolded or wrinkled clothes? Shoes strewn everywhere? Figure it out and find a solution. A basket by the door for the mail or a rack by the bed for the magazines? A small desktop shelf for the work stuff? A bamboo basket with lid for clothes waiting to be dealt with? A hanging shoe rack? Having a spot to put everything at all times will keep you on top of the clutter when life gets too busy to think about it.

Organize It

Now that you know what you’ve got, start putting it away. Put lesser used items at the back of closets or in high cupboards, keeping the daily or weekly items closer to hand. Once the majority of your stuff has been put away, you can evaluate what’s left and see if investing in some extra shelves, under the bed storage bins or a special closet organizer will help tackle the rest.

There’s a quote, commonly attributed to William Morris that says: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Home words to live by.