The Ultimate 4 Step Guide: Declutter & Simplify Your Home

Date

17.01.24

Happy New Year from Dwelling Envy Interiors! I hope you had a fantastic holiday season filled with joy and laughter. As we step into 2024, it’s the perfect time to kickstart the year with a clean and organized space.

Personally, I have found that by following these easy to follow 4 Steps – I’ve eliminated a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. Be simplifying my home – I’ve helped simplify my life – and feel so much less overwhelmed by the day to day chaos that inevitably ensues.

If you’re looking to regain control over your home and create a space that promotes peace, productivity, and well-being – you’re gonna want to keep reading!

1. Purge The Unnecessary

To start your decluttering journey, it is crucial to purge the unnecessary items in your home. Take a critical look at each item and ask yourself if it serves a purpose or brings you joy. If not, it’s time to let go. Whether through donation, selling, or discarding, removing unnecessary belongings will free up space and create a more serene environment.

This can be somewhat of a challenge to some because we think about “how much money” we spent on an item, or we try to hold on to something because “we may use it in the future.” This is when you really have to look yourself in the mirror and be realistic.

Though something may once have been expensive, and you were so excited to buy, if it no longer holds the same value to you – its time to part ways. And a harsh reality to selling off your old items – when you have an emotional attachment to something, it never feels right to sell it for the price tag other’s are willing to pay. Just because you originally paid top dollar for something – doesn’t necessarily mean its worth even close to the original amount now.

This step is especially helpful for your kitchen when you might have 5 different pots that are all similar in size, some new, some old, some passed down, and they all do the same exact thing – GUT CHECK, you don’t need 5 of the same pan!

2. Sort & Simplify

Once you’ve finished purging all unnecessary items – it’s time to sort and simplify the belongings you still have. I like to categorize everything and sort them into groups, such as clothing, kitchenware, or personal items.

Take a minimalist approach and keep only the things you truly need or cherish. By simplifying your possessions, you will streamline your daily life and alleviate the stress of excessive clutter.

REMINDER: Simplifying your belongings is a continuous process. To keep a well organized space – you need to stay vigilant and be mindful of the new items you accumulate and practice conscious consumerism. Essentially, to keep a well-balanced and simplified space, you should be regularly assessing your possessions to ensure they still align with your needs and values.

I like to do this once a quarter (every 3 months) as the seasons change. I reflect on the past 3 months and analyze what items I used, what items I didn’t, and what items I kept that I thought I would use!

3. Organize With Purpose

As you continue decluttering, it is essential to organize your belongings with purpose, that you’ll actually utilize and actively participate in. What do I mean by this? We all know those beautiful Instagram worthy pantries and closets, with neatly folded towels and sweaters. But if you’re like me, that lasts maybe a week before I’m throwing things around in a hurry.

So when it comes to organizing your closets, kitchens, bathrooms and more – Invest in practical storage solutions that you will actively use to keep yourself organized. Things like bins, baskets, or drawer organizers to give everything a designated place, but that don’t require a lot of hassle.

Assign specific areas (or drawers) for different categories of items, and label them accordingly. By organizing with purpose, you will create a more efficient and functional home, that you’ll actually be able to keep up with – while keeping everything easily accessible and clutter to a minimum.

4. Create Functional Spaces

An organized home not only requires efficient storage, but it also benefits from creating functional zones in each room. Assess your lifestyle and the activities that take place in different areas of your home.

One of the first questions I always ask my clients is “how do you use this space” because the “living” part in your home is a major component to creating a comfortable environment.

Designate specific spaces for relaxation, work, entertainment, or hobbies is crucial in developing a functional and calming home.

You not only will optimize the use of your space, but ensure that each area serves its intended purpose, making your home more practical, enjoyable, and stress free to live in.

by KRISTIN PATRICIAN

Date

More
articles