Declutter and claim back control of your home
Decluttering your home will transform your life. The thing to remember is that decluttering is not something you do once – it is something which has to be done daily. That way the clutter will never take over your life again.
Large decluttering projects
For large decluttering projects allow a day per room. Sort everything into three piles. The first pile for things you no longer need, like or use. Donate these to a charity shop, or sell them on Ebay. Don’t be sentimental or feel guilty. Hoarding stuff that you no longer need will be doing someone else a favour.
Make a second pile for things you use now and then. A third pile for things you use regularly. Rubbish should be removed and recycled or taken straight to the tip.
Rules for storing
How often you use the item you need to find room to store? Things that you only use now and then do not need to be quite as accessible as those things which are used on a daily basis.
Everything should have a home
Put things away as soon as you have finished with them. Make sure everything has a home to go to. Store like with like. For example store all light bulbs in one box and all batteries together. Keep things near to where you use them. Cookbooks in the kitchen, DVDs by the TV.
Only buy what you really love or need
Limit what comes into the house. If you don’t really need it, don’t buy it. Give books away or donate them to a charity shop once you have read them.
Keep things simple
Don’t over furnish rooms. The more storage you have, the more storage you are likely to use.
Be methodical with admin
Get to grips with paperwork. Deal with mail as it comes into the house, with outstanding paperwork sort it into piles and throw everything away which has no value or use. Household bills should be kept in one box file. Information which needs to be actioned should be filed together, along with stamps, envelopes and a pen. This way you will pick up your actions box and have everything you need at hand.
Children’s Toy Storage
If you have children’s toys in the lounge keep them in a storage box. A large basket box with a lid is a good storage option. Make sure that toys which are broken are thrown away. Any toys that your children have grown out of can be sold or donated to a charity shop. Do this on a regular basis to prevent toy creep. Try not to be too sentimental about material possessions.
Always remember
Remember a house is there to serve you – not you to serve the house.
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