The new year is the perfect time to declutter and organize your home! Use our step by step guide to help you through the process.
It all started with 50 years of junk
My parents were raised in the Great Depression and, like most everyone else during that time, had very little money or material goods. So as they got older and were able to, they enjoyed buying things.
Lots of things.
Also because of their frugal upbringing, they never threw anything away. We moved 4 times while I was growing up, and each time, my parents packed up not only their growing collection of china, furniture and framed photographs, but also entire junk drawers full of outdated bills, menus and milk jug caps (not kidding).
All of this STUFF finally settled in an attic over the garage at my parents house. When they passed away, well, the junk remained. Since we rent the house for a guesthouse and retreats, all that junk was in the way and was REALLY stressing me out!
It was time to declutter and organize 50 years of junk! It seemed overwhelming at first, but through the process I developed some tips and tricks to make it easier.
Here’s how to declutter and organize your home
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Bribe your friends and/or grown kids to help.
Beer is a good motivator. Side note: if you really want to get rid of stuff, do NOT ask anyone with hoarding instincts or who is overly sentimental to help (ask me how I know…)
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Haul everything out into the open where there’s more room.
A covered garage is perfect in case it starts to rain Bonus tip: While you’ve got everything out, give the attic, closet or storage shed a quick cleaning!
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Do not open any boxes or start making decisions until you get everything out in the light of day.
The process will go much faster and more efficiently if you just haul everything first!
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Designate outlying “distribution areas”:
- THROW AWAY. things no one wants that can’t be recycled
- RECYCLE. old newspapers, photos, cardboard, glass, cans
- THRIFT SHOP. things that someone might want but that aren’t worth selling
- SELL. if you’re not sure put it in this pile—there’s a buyer for almost everything!
- KEEP. things with sentimental value or that you have a use for right away
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Systematically sort each distribution area.
It’s most efficient if only one person does this. It’s least efficient if everyone sorts through a different area at one time. You’ll end up having to go through each pile multiple times (read: nightmare).
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As you pull items out of each box or container, take them to their proper area.
The goal here is to do this quickly. If you’re not sure about something put it in the KEEP area. Set any boxes to the side to use for holding recyclables and/or hauling stuff to the thrift shop. Really concentrate on items in the KEEP pile, asking yourself these questions:
- Does it bring me joy?
- Does it bring back memories or remind me of someone special?
- Do my kids or siblings want it? Do they need me to keep it until they have a home of their own?
- Do I have the perfect spot for it in my home right now?
- Will it solve a problem for me?
Okay! Is everything in its proper place? Here’s how to declutter and organize your home by tackling each area:
- THROW AWAY. Secure the garbage bag and get it ready to set out for garbage day.
- RECYCLE. Pack up the recycling in bags or boxes and set out for recycling day. If you live in the country like we do, put everything in the back of the truck to haul to the recycling center in town!
- THRIFT SHOP. Put all the thrift shop items in bags and boxes. Call around and see if any of the thrift shops in your area will come and do a pickup.
- SELL. All the sell items need to be cleaned and sorted in preparation for listing. Just bundle them up for now and set them in a climate controlled place (extra closet or bedroom) to deal with later. Selling on eBay can bring in some cash!
- KEEP. Bring all your keep items into the house so they won’t get damaged. Wash, clean or dust everything and put it in its proper place right away. Resist the urge to put it down and say, “I’ll deal with it later”. Later might be next week (next month? next year??) so go ahead and deal with it now!
If you have items to put back in the attic, box them up in plastic bins (cardboard boxes tend to get squashed and a bit nasty over time—plus roaches LOVE cardboard, and I DON’T love roaches…)
Now, stand back and admire your clean and organized space!
Cleaning out the attic has definitely been worth all the work! Not only do I feel a sense of accomplishment getting it all done, but I’ve also made over $3000 in the process!
Do you have an attic or a store room that’s full of junk? Is it stressing you out?
Use these handy tips to show you how to declutter and organize your home! You’ll feel so much better when you do.
