Several things that we hold onto have more sentimental value than practicality. Inevitably, when you live in the same home for ages, objects start to accumulate and create unnecessary clutter. But like every other circumstance, the clutter we begin to gather also depends heavily on the lives we lead. For instance, residents of Kelowna, British Columbia, can particularly struggle with backpacking items because of Kelowna’s thriving skiing culture. But that’s not all! In Canada, 91% claim that clutter has been impacting their lives negatively, and only two to five percent have a diagnosed hoarding disorder! Given the commonality of this experience among several Kelowna residents, there is undoubtedly a way to address it effectively. The following guide is aimed at assisting you in the process of decluttering and completely revamping your living space from scratch.
Read on!
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Get in the Right Mind-Set
Organizing a closet is one thing; going headfirst into an organization and decluttering project for your entire home is another. No matter how much you pride yourself in being a neat freak, this project is demanding for most homeowners.
If you don’t go in with the right mindset, you might give up or lose hope before you make it to the second room. Doing so is more important if your house is big and has plenty of storage units you must go through.
Keep in mind the 3 Rs before you take on any such project.
- Firstly, remember that you will have to “reduce” or declutter.
- When going over your possessions, you need to be “resourceful” so that you can make do with the minimum.
- Lastly, go in with “resilience” because you may have to let go of some sentimental belongings.
However, not everything you cannot keep at home has to be discarded for good. For things close to your heart, you can always rent Kelowna storage units to store away items that you don’t have space to keep.
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Decide Where to Start
If you have taken on a decluttering project, it is likely going to encompass all rooms, but you’ll only be able to start with one. The more organized you are throughout the process, the better. It is a good idea to begin by creating a list of all the spaces you wish to declutter and reorganize and noting everything down.
You may decide to begin with a room that is the tidiest to get some early motivation, or you may want to dive into the most significant challenge. Either way, there’s no cookie-cutter approach to take here. It will help if you schedule every room into your calendar so that you don’t get lazy and abandon the project when the going gets tough.
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Set Clear, Concrete, And S.M.A.R.T. Goals
If not for concrete goals, you will never know if you have done a good enough job. Abstract goals are only effective in getting you started, but to get continuous reinforcement, you need concrete goals that are achievable.
S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Ensuring that your goals are challenging but attainable is the most effective in driving your motivation. If you have planned on decluttering a room, decide which storage spaces you intend to clear.
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Know What to Do with the Clutter
When you decide not to keep something in your home, the subsequent step is deciding what to do with it. Will you recycle it? Can it be sold? Should you donate it to someone? Is charity a good idea? Or does it have to be discarded?
Decide in advance what can and cannot be done, and when going over all your belongings, sort out the clutter into one of these categories. If you do it while you declutter each room, it will be less of a hassle at the end.
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Practice Effective Storage
Even with a thorough decluttering, you may still need strategies to increase storage space in your rooms and make them more organized. The following are some effective storage solutions for your home:
– Add square containers in your drawers: square containers take up the least space as they can fit into one another. In your kitchen and side table drawers, consider installing small containers so you can utilize more space without creating a mess.
– Install shelves in dead spaces: look out for new storage opportunities like unused under-the-staircase storage space, and then get shelves, cabinets, or drawers that can fit.
– Give your closets a remodel: most closets are not designed to make complete use of every space. Fortunately, you can get adjustable or extendable closet rods that can be installed and removed. You can also consider calling in professionals to give your cabinets a makeover.
– Use pegboards and hooks: with appropriately placed pegboards and hooks, you can add space to just about any room. In the kitchen, you can use a pegboard as a hanger for your pots and pans. Hooks can add clothes-hanging space in your closet or dressing room.
Final words
Clearing, rearranging, and organizing your stuff is vital for homeowners. Neglecting these tasks can cause problems down the line. To declutter effectively, start with the right mindset, plan, set achievable goals, handle the removed clutter properly, and store what’s left wisely. When done correctly, a DIY declutter, and storage project can give your home a fresh look.