2018 is here! Time to take stock of what we’ve accomplished so far and formalize any new goals. With the new year comes the idea of fresh beginnings, promises and possibilities. This feeling of newness often brings along the desire to declutter and organize our homes. Decluttering, however, can seem like an insurmountable chore, if you don’t know where or how to start. I suggest tackling the clutter one small step at a time, knowing that it will lead to big improvements over time. Here are some of my suggestions for decluttering and organizing your home.

Be Prepared

Before you begin, gather some supplies. You will need boxes, labels, markers, tape and trash bags. As you declutter, you will find items to put away, some to donate or sell and others to recycle or trash. Designate containers for each category. Armed with your labeled boxes and bags, you are ready to make your way through each room of the house.

Start with Storage Areas

People tend to save the storage area and garage for last, when it comes to organizing their home. I’ve found that it is more beneficial to tackle those areas first. You will then make room to store items you will find when you work your way through the rest of the house. Additionally, it may be emotionally easier to start purging there because those stored items haven’t been used for a while.

Organize Your Closets

Organize your closets by hanging all similar items together from lightest color to dark. Sorting your items by type (dress, pants, shirts) and color makes it easy to see everything you own. Now figure out how many pairs of black pants you actually need and which ones you actually wear. Donate or sell the rest.

Remove any Excess

As you work your way through your home, remove items that don’t fit with your current lifestyle, needs, or goals. Be honest with yourself. If you are keeping an item out of loyalty or sentiment and not using it, you should really think about providing it to someone who would use it. Donating or selling via consignment or eBay are great ways to remove surplus clutter.

Store for Use

Another part of decluttering and organizing your home is making everyday items easily accessible. Store items you use less frequently on higher shelves or in storage areas. For example, if you only use your large stockpot once a year to make your granny’s famous soup recipe, don’t give it prime real estate in your kitchen. Store towels in the bathrooms and sheets in the bedrooms where they’ll be used. This will make replacing used linens with fresh ones quicker and simpler. No more running down the hall or up the steps to the linen closet.

Maximize Your Space

Make the most of the space you have available. Many cabinets and closets have shelving that can be adjusted to maximize their use. Home stores carry a variety of storage options (shelves, baskets, racks, containers) that can help organize and make the most use of the space.

Fireproof Important Documents

As you are decluttering your home, I suggest that you gather all of your critical documents and safeguard them against destruction.  Purchase a fireproof box or safety deposit box to store items like birth certificates, passports, home and car titles, and any other “must-have” documents.

Decluttering and organizing your home can simplify your life and give you the feeling of a fresh start. It creates space and convenience, allowing you to focus on the goals you want to achieve in the new year..

For all your real estate needs, please contact Belinda Jacobson-Loehle at Jacobson Realty and Home Staging today.

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