All those papers, toys, and clothes piling up around your house aren’t just annoying – they can be some of the biggest stressors in your life! According to researchers, clutter bombards our senses with excess stimuli, makes it harder for us to relax, and distracts us from things we should be doing. In fact, one study found 81% of men and 87% of women have experienced anxiety over home upkeep.
Before spring rolls around, why not spend these last few icy days you’re stuck in your house decluttering it? Not only will it give you an immediate sense of calm, it means less maintenance and cleaning in the warm weeks to come!
Here are a few tips to help declutter each room of your house:
Your living room – Remove anything that doesn’t have a permanent home in your family room, such as shoes, papers, and outdated magazines, and donate anything you don’t use, like old DVDs or video games. Invest in a storage ottoman that ties your room together and houses only must-have items, like coasters and remote controls. If your kids use the room as a play area, store select toys in shelving with attractive, yet functional, wood bins or sturdy baskets.
Your kitchen – We stock our kitchen with gadgets we think will making cooking easier, but in reality, their only job is to take up space. If you haven’t used that George Foreman grill in years, pass it on to someone else. While you’re at it, store items you use once a year, like turkey roasters and fondue pots, to the back of your cabinets and slash the number of plastic storage containers you keep. Finally, get rid of unnecessary duplicates – a do you really need four spatulas?
Your bedroom – One home organizer noted the only items that should be in your bedroom are those for dressing, getting ready, or relaxing. Things like paperwork, computers, and other “work” items should be placed in an office or desk area. Another tip? Because we only wear 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time, clean out your closet regularly. By turning all your hangers one direction and turning them to the other when you wear an item, you’ll quickly spot which of your duds are well, duds. Gather those clothes up and sell them to a consignment shop or donate to charity.
Your bathroom – Just like food, medicine, makeup, and toiletries all have expiration dates. Go through your drawers and toss those items that are expired or that you no longer use (prescription drugs should be disposed of through your local law enforcement’s drug take-back program). Gather bandages and first aid items in one bag or basket, over-the-counter medications in another, extra toothbrushes and sample toothpaste in another, and so on.
Your office – Once you clear out old papers and file those you need, go to work organizing your office supplies with unique storage solutions. Antique sugar molds, for instance, are great for separating pens, pencils, and scissors. Wire baskets can be hung on the wall to house books and files you need to get to quickly. A shoe organizer on the back of the door can easily separate paper clips, Post-Its, and staples into their own pockets instead of forcing them to comingle in your junk drawer.
Your garage – Your garage too often ends up a garbage dump. Get rid of broken bikes and sporting goods you know you’ll never fix. Take advantage of your walls by installing storage systems that allow you to better organize tools and garden supplies. Collect up similar items like paints and stains or car cleaning supplies and divide them into separate bins that are clearly marked and out of young children’s reach.
Once you declutter your house, it’s time to give it the spring-cleaning it deserves! Contact Annointed Hands today to get your no-obligation deep cleaning estimate! When it’s finally organized, decluttered, and clean, your home becomes the oasis you always want it to be!