Six Steps to Decluttering Your Home

I'm very passionate about organization. I love helping people declutter and organize because I firmly believe it can lead to a clear head and a clean home. Whether you are preparing your home to be listed for sale or you just feel the need to declutter a home you've lived in for several years, I hope the following list is helpful!

1. MAKE A PLAN, MAKE A LIST

Writing down what needs to get done helps guarantee that items won't be missed and that you can approach the project with determination and a clear head. This step will reduce any feelings of overwhelm and will reduce procrastination.

Something I find helpful is to do a walkthrough of the home and make your list while standing in each room, critically observing the space. Write the list item down as specifically as you need; i.e. "clean inside bathroom cabinets and drawers" or just "bathroom cabinets".

2. TAKE IT A ROOM AT A TIME

Breaking down the decluttering project by room can make it feel much more manageable, and may reduce any negativity or procrastination that may come as you're planning your declutter day.

Writing your list room-by-room will help you feel more accomplished after each "checkmark", knowing that an entire space is done. It will provide helpful benchmarks to gauge when to call it quits for a day (spoilers for step 6!).

3. GATHER AND PREP SUPPLIES

Garbage bags, cleaning supplies, boxes...

These are examples of things that will help you with the declutter process, but use what works for you!

My recommendation is that you use a combination of garbage bags and boxes to create categories:

1. KEEP
2. TOSS
3. DONATE

*I want to take a moment to acknowledge that letting go of items can be very difficult for some people for sentimental or other reasons. This is a bigger conversation. If you struggle with this, I would love to have a more in depth conversation about this topic and provide other options.

4. START WITH VISIBLE ITEMS

Start with what you can see. Often times the visible surfaces in each room are less cluttered and you will start off your project feeling an immediate payoff.

Bonus: you will need the surface space for sorting cabinets drawers, etc., later.

Once visible surfaces are complete, move to hidden spaces however you feel to prioritize. If your bedroom closet really needs to be addressed before the dresser or under-bed storage, go to the closet next!

5. FIND YOUR FOCUS

I focus well with a bit of noise; a podcast or a show playing in the background. My husband cannot focus on a task if there is something playing. Find what works for you to optimize your time! Play a little music or show, put the pets in another room to lessen the "help" they try to provide, hire a babysitter. Do what you need to do (within reason) to create a focused environment.

Bonus Focusing tip: use "Do Not Disturb" on your phone! On iPhones, you can create a specific Focus that will only allow the notifications that you have selected to disturb you.

6. KNOW WHEN TO PAUSE

If you're trying to declutter prior to listing your house, keep your deadline in mind. You may only have a limited timeframe for accomplishing this huge task.

However, it is so important that you can feel and listen when your brain and body tell you to stop. This project can be physically exhausting, emotional, and mentally taxing. But it will be best done when your mind is fresh! Start again tomorrow.

If your deadline doesn't allow for you to stop for the day, take a break, leave the room you're working in, get a snack and some water. Work away at it little by little!

If you have any questions about decluttering or reorganizing your home, regardless of whether it's for the purpose of a home sale, please send me a message. I would love to walk you through the process and be there to encourage you!

- Amy