You do not have to be a minimalist to want to learn how to declutter your home on a regular basis – you can benefit from this healthy and helpful habit regardless of your lifestyle. First, house decluttering allows you to eliminate all the items that no longer serve you well, free up some space, and do it effectively – by donating or selling your stuff.
Secondly, house decluttering helps you become more focused, minimise the risk of asthma and allergies, and improve your overall well-being and those of your family members. But to make the most out of this process, you must approach it thoughtfully.
Below, you will find a complete guide to how to declutter your home – room-by-room, starting from the garage and ending with the bathroom. Read on and free up some space!
Garage
Most people use their garage to store random things they don’t know what to do with. However, when your garage becomes cluttered and disorganised, it becomes challenging to find anything in there. Let’s take a look at how you can declutter your garage:
- Sort things into categories. One way to make this process easier for yourself is to sort all of the objects in your garage into categories based on their purpose (e.g., gear, tools, papers) so that they are easier to manage.
- Donate or throw away unused items. Once you have sorted everything into categories, you can decide whether each item has a purpose. If it doesn’t, you can either donate or sell it or throw it away if it is no longer helpful. Do not forget to remove items from their original boxes or bags before putting them into any donation box.
- Buy storage containers. If you still want to keep items but do not have a place to put them, try buying some storage containers and labelling them appropriately (e.g., tools, sports equipment). This way, you can find whatever you need quickly next time you need it.
- Organise your tools. While most people have devices in their garages, they often do not organise them properly. Your tools should be arranged so they are easy to find and use. For example, you could place all of your gardening tools in one box so that they are easy to find when needed.
- Call in a professional if you notice any droppings or shedding. If your decluttering efforts have led you to discover something nasty living behind your cabinets or below your sink, you’ll want to call a Pest Control company as soon as possible. It’s usually best to leave tasks like these to people who know what they’re doing—many DIY pest elimination techniques only work in the short term.
In addition, garage decluttering is an excellent occasion to inspect it to determine if any repairs are needed, such as sealing the flooring or replacing the garage door opener. If the latter is the case, you may choose a new one from more durable options like PowerLift garage door openers.
Living Room
People commonly accumulate clutter in their living rooms, as it is one of the most trafficked areas in the house. However, you should declutter your living room regularly to make it easier for you to move around. In addition, having a clean living room will help you feel more relaxed and comfortable at home. One effective way to declutter your main living space is to create a separate area for guests, hobbies, or extra storage. A granny annex can be the perfect solution, offering a self-contained space that helps keep your home organised while adding value to your property.
Here are some decluttering tips for your living room:
- Clean around the couch. Ensure there are no crumbs on the floor or pieces of paper lying around, and pick up any toys or clothes that may have been left there.
- Clean the room. Try cleaning the room so that it feels fresh and organised. Getting rid of dust mites isn’t easy. You could use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate dust or wipe the furniture with a soft cloth. Decluttering your living room can be as simple as that.
- Organise your media. If your media (such as books, magazines, DVDs, etc.) and cables are out of order, you should take some time to reorganise them properly. Having them neatly arranged will allow you to search them easily later.
Bedroom
A messy bedroom can cause you more stress and anxiety than you think. If your bedroom is cluttered and untidy, it can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. You must declutter your bedroom regularly for proper rest and a good night’s sleep.
Here are some decluttering tips on how you can do that:
- Clean up the clutter. First, remove all clutter from your bedroom, including dirty clothes and unmade bedsheets. Then, make sure that your bed is made and clean.
- Organise your clothes. Organising your clothes so they are easy to find and put away is also a good idea. You could place your socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc., in separate boxes or bags. This way, you will always know where to find what you need.
- Buy storage containers. Small storage containers (baskets) can help you better organise your clothing. For example, if you want to organise your socks neatly, you could buy a small box and put all your socks in it. This way, they will be easy to store and never lose a second sock again.
Kitchen
If your kitchen is no longer clean and organised, cooking properly or finding inspiration to cook can be complicated. Therefore, you must declutter your kitchen periodically to stay nice and neat.
Here are some decluttering tips for your kitchen:
- Clean up the dishes. Look at your sink—do there appear to be too many dishes? If so, give yourself enough time to wash them all. Once the dishes are clean, put them in their places to stay organised and out of sight.
- Clean up the counter. If several items (e.g., plates, bowls, appliances) are cluttering the countertop, give yourself time to tidy it up.
- Organise your kitchen cabinets if there are items (such as extra plates and cups) that you don’t use often but don’t know what to do with, try organising all of them in your kitchen cabinets.
- Buy storage containers. You can also buy some storage containers and place them inside each cabinet to make more room for items you use often. This will make the cabinets less cluttered and easier to use.
Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the most challenging rooms to keep clean and organised because most people use it frequently and tend to keep quite a few items. However, if this room becomes too cluttered and disorganised, it can become uncomfortable to spend time there.
Here are some house-decluttering tips for your bathroom:
- Clean up the sink. Clean up the sink occasionally is a good idea because most people use it frequently. This means there may be a lot of toothpaste or soap residue underneath the sink.
- Keep the floor clean. Your bathroom floor is likely covered with hair, dust, and dirt, which can quickly become unhygienic. Try giving the floor a quick sweep every once in a while (perhaps once every few days) to stay clean and not become too dirty over time.
- Put away your Items. Most people keep quite a few items in their bathroom – such as makeup products, toilet paper, towels, razors, etc. However, if those items become scattered over the bathroom floor or cabinets, they will be tough to find when needed. Try sorting all these items into categories (e.g., makeup in one box or shelf, towels – in another) so that each category has its own storage space.
Conclusion
Decluttering your house regularly can be very helpful if you want to keep your home organised and clean. It can also help you quickly manage the stuff that accumulates around your house.
Follow the decluttering tips in this article to declutter your house room by room effectively. Your house will become a more comfortable and cosier place to live and relax.