Getting your home decluttered and organized may be one of your goals in the new year. When you’re filled with the hope of a fresh start is a great time to tackle this project, but how? It’s easily overwhelming, frustrating and eventually you may feel it’s impossible.
Decluttering and organizing your home is a wonderful way to create more space, but you’ll also enjoy the benefits of less to clean, less to organize, less debt and, maybe best of all, less stress!
Set (attainable) goals. Break up the task of cleaning up your home into smaller, reasonable steps. Instead of tackling all your kitchen cabinets in one day, start with one or even one shelf based on the time you have available. The more successful you feel, the more motivation you’ll have to keep going.
Set deadlines. Accept the fact that you can’t declutter and organize the entire house in one day, but you can do a room (or at least a section) in a week, month, etc. When making goals, be honest with yourself about the time you can devote to the task. Set a timer and try to beat it as you’re working. It’s a great way to stay on track!
Collect like items. This might get a little messy, but it will help you see everything you have in one place. Dedicate some space for this because it’s important. With all of your pans, shoes, jackets, etc., in one place, the things you really love will stand out, and that will make it easy for you to keep, donate or sell.
Sort items. Establish a four-box (or bag) method, and label your boxes as “Keep,” “Donate,” “Store” or “Sell.” Once you know what you’re keeping or storing, you can purchase storage containers and organizers if needed. Get items you’re donating out as soon as possible, and a number of apps make it easier than ever to sell your clothes, furniture, etc.
Take before and after photos. Need more motivation to keep going? Try taking before and after photos so you can track your progress. Even if it’s a small step or victory, celebrate it! When you need a little boost, look back at your photos and get a glimpse into what you’re home could look like once you’re done.
Keep going. Once you’ve decluttered and organized your home, it’s important to remember you have to make time to keep it up. Don’t let clutter gather in closets, cabinets and drawers—those are the usual culprits because it’s out of sight. Check on these areas from time to time, and clean regularly so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the benefits of your hard work!
Need help cleaning your home? Call the professionals at Sweet Home Cleaning Service! Whether you need a one-time clean or regular maintenance, we proudly offer our 5-star service to many communities on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Contact us today for more information or to request a quote!