Why wait until spring-cleaning time to engage in some clutter busting behavior? Hazelview Properties has compiled some simple, creative and effective clutter crushing strategies. Try the following tips and tricks for ways to permanently break through the clutter.
Stop the Flow
The first step in living a clutter-free life is to stop the flow of clutter from entering your home, which can be the most difficult step. You need to vigilantly guard against excess items you don’t need, as they will just accumulate and create clutter. Sort through your junk mail as soon as it arrives, decline knickknacks and party favours and start to really think about the little things you bring home with you. Once you’ve won this mainly mental battle, you will be well on your way to organized home living.
Purge
Reducing the number of items you already own is the next step in the de-cluttering process. A good way of doing this is getting rid of one item per day. You would be surprised at how fast you can de-clutter your space by just reducing your load of ‘stuff’ by one item daily. As the weeks and months pass you will begin to notice and enjoy the extra space you have created. Start by asking yourself three questions:
- Do I love it?
- Do I use it?
- Will I ever need it?
Immediately get rid of items for which the response to all questions is ‘no’.
Target one area at a timeIn order to avoid quickly burning out or getting discouraged, it’s a good idea to focus on one area of the home or office at a time. Start with the easiest areas of the home first such as a chest of drawers, hall closet, kitchen cupboard, or single drawer in your desk. Make a list of all the clutter ‘hot spots’ that need attention and check each one off as they become organized and mess-free. For great storage options to help you effectively organize, try Homesense, located less than a five-minute drive away from our 204 Hespeler Road apartments.
Adopt a one-in-one-out rule
Adopt a zero accumulation policy in order to maintain a clutter-free household. For every new item that comes into your space, make sure one item goes out. Donate and sell usable items, dispose of or recycle items you cannot donate, and keep and relocate items that can be used effectively in other spaces in the home.
Go digital
Let’s face it; going digital is the way of the future. Digital and cloud-based storage makes this an affordable and easy option. Clear your desk by scanning documents and photos and storing them digitally through services like Google Drive, Evernote, or Dropbox. It’s also a great idea to sign up for online banking to reduce your paper trail, make banking easier, and help to reduce the overall clutter of bills, invoices, and more. Future Shop is a five-minute drive away from our 204 Hespeler Road apartments, and has all the tech and tools you will need to start going digital.