Start small but start. If you plan your days, weeks or months, write it down on a specific day that works for you. Pick an area or section of your house, it could be the nightstand in your bedroom, a kitchen drawer or the whole basement. If you don’t know where to start, pay attention while you walk around the house, notice spots that can use some love that is relatively small and start applying these decluttering for beginners tips.
Whenever you tackle an area, bring with you 3 bags/containers and some cleaning supplies to get rid of old dust. The first bag is to put everything you want to donate, the second one for the things you want to sell and the last one to recycle/toss old items. Here are some examples of where to start:
Bedroom
Closet – Decluttering for beginners fave!
This includes clothes, underwear, socks, handbags, scarves, hats, gloves, belts and shoes. The closet includes going through every single item. If you haven’t worn it for a year, chances are you don’t need it anymore. Jewelry box?
Nightstands and shelfs
The same idea, start by getting rid of books you finished reading a long time ago or the ones you have never had the chance to read. Review any other thing that takes unnecessary space.
Kitchen
Drawers
Go through every item and keep what you use and need, this includes pans, utensils, pots, dishes, storage containers and small appliances.
Pantry/cupboards
Review the food you can still use and add it to your next meal! Be though. Toss any expired items or donate to the food bank those cans that still have a few months of shelf life but that you know you won’t eat.
Fridge
This is a great opportunity to read the label of old bottles and make sure they have not expired. Start by cleaning those areas that are usually ignored. I am sure you’ll end up with some extra space! You’ll feel great every time you open your fridge for the next couple of days.
Living room
Shelfs and Media Centre
Go through DVDs, CDs, magazines, books, board games, decoration, cushions and toys. Ask yourself, is this item serving a purpose? Is it useful? Does it make me happy when I see it? Or, is it there just because I put it there once?
If you don’t want to buy more toys, check out my post Household Items Turned Into Toys.
Bathroom
Storage
If you have a storage closet, then check your towels, linens and every item that lives there. If you don’t know how to fix things, just remove stuff that has nasty stains or holes.
Medicine Cabinet
Same idea. Check the expiration date of all your supplies and leave near those items used every day.
Makeup
Get rid of that old mascara and eyeliner if you don’t use them anymore. If still new, you could regift them 🙂
Basement
Decluttering for beginners fave #2! Select one section or room. If the endeavour is too big, request a vacation day from work, play your favourite tunes and tackle one large area for a full day.
Laundry room
Arrange your cleaning supplies, get rid of empty containers, bags and boxes.
Outside
Garage
If it is too overwhelming, you can divide your garage into sections and start with one area. After decluttering, make sure there is one place for each thing and that is the place where it should live from now on. If something new comes into your garage, find a permanent spot as well.
Shed
If you have a shed, get rid of old planters, boxes and broken tools. Sell those tools that you don’t use or extras.
Car
Yes, the car can also be decluttered and cleaned. Remove things that are seasonal and store them in your garage until needed in your car again, like a snow brush. Amazon sells amazing organizers to hang behind the front seats to place children’s toys, or trunk organizers to keep tidy any other items. Recommended product: Reserwa Backseat Car Organizer.
Garden
Do you have broken patio furniture? Get rid of it! Lumber? Dispose of it! Wood? Big stones? Unnecessary things? Gift them away!
First, for the items that are to be sold, take a picture of them immediately and post it on your favourite website. Secondly, for donations, place the donation bag right away in your car and drop it off on your next errand. Finally, for things that have no more life span, consider placing them in the garbage or the recycling bin right away. Remember not to let those 3 piles become an eyesore after your decluttering is complete. Please make sure those things have a new permanent place right away.
It is known that less is more. Fewer things mean more space, less time cleaning them, less time moving them and sorting through them. Consider keeping those things that bring you joy and use them more frequently and finally, apply some of these decluttering for beginners tips now! You can do it, I know you can!
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