A lot of us spend our mornings rushing to find things amidst clutter, only to leave and come back home to more clutter!
Using a range of storage solutions, some of which are available at IKEA, you can declutter your home in productive ways instead of wasting time trying to sort through a constant mess. And for the things you choose to discard, make sure you recycle them if they cannot be donated. Here are some principles to keep in mind while putting your home in order.
1. Have a purpose
Knowing the kind of ordered space you want helps you set a goal and envision it. This will also help you decide what you want to keep and what you want to give up.
2. Gauge the damage
Messiness is concentrated in areas, usually in spaces in which we find it easy to hide things. Such spaces could be inside cupboards and cabinets, under beds, or on top of side tables. Start with smaller piles of clutter and work your way up to the larger ones.
3. Break it down
Choose to declutter room by room, or even item by item, so you’re not overwhelmed by tackling the task in one go.
4. The 80/20 rule
Of 80% of the things they own, most people use only 20%. This applies not only to clothes but also to books, DVDs, toys and other objects. Knowing this principle helps you reduce unwanted items.
5. Gather your supplies
Sorting through one messy pile to create another messy pile of unwanted items can make you lose motivation very quickly. Make sure you have plenty of garbage bags and cardboard boxes to sort discarded things for recycling and donation.
6. Storage systems
A reliable storage system with easy access is key to avoiding clutter. Choose your storage furniture wisely, especially cabinets, tables and chest of drawers. You can also use a wide range of organisers within your storage systems to keep things sorted.
7. Question it
We often let things pile up just because we had spent money on them, and this creates unwanted clutter. But the essence of decluttering is minimalism.
If you don’t love something, if it is not important, or if it simply serves no purpose anymore, get rid of it. Thinking of the last time you used the item will help you make your decision.
