5 Steps to Declutter and Organize Your Home for the New Year

Organizing and decluttering your home is a great way to start the new year on a clean slate.  

It's common for every household to have unwanted items scattered around the house. These may include items you purchased in the past but no longer use or need. They could be damaged appliances you wanted to fix but have not had time to do so.  

They could also be clothes you no longer wear because you don't fit into them anymore. Add to that list the worn-out, out-of-style shoes that only take up a lot of room in your storage area. 

All these items should be removed because they only add clutter to your space. If you want to start organizing your home for the new year, here are some easy steps you can take:  

1. Make time for decluttering and organizing 

Decluttering and organizing take time. That's why it's important that you set aside a specific time or day to do both. Having a schedule for these tasks allows you to do other things, especially if you're working. 

The time it takes to declutter and organize varies on how big your house is, how many items you have, and how many people are doing it. It can go from roughly six months to a year to finish these tasks if you have a large home.  

2. Create a sorting system 

Once you've set the time and date, you'd need to devise a sorting system to help you organize the things you need to declutter.  

The sorting system depends on what will work best for your belongings. You can have a to-keep or to-throw pile. You can also create additional piles based on the number of items you own.  

If you have a lot of things that are no longer necessary but are still useful, you can donate them. Knowing these things will find a new home with someone who needs them would be reassuring.

There are a lot of institutions that can pick up donations for your convenience. You can even check out a review of Amvets donation pickup services to get an idea. 

To sort appropriately, you can take inspiration from Marie Kondo and ask yourself the following questions: 

• "Does this spark joy?"  

• "Do I want this?" 

• "Do I need this?" 

• "Am I going to use this?" 

You can put them on the donate pile if the answer is no.  

When it comes to sorting, it's vital to be honest with yourself and make the tough decision of letting go of your decluttered items, even if they are sentimental. 

3. Make a flow for decluttering and organizing 

After creating a sorting system for decluttering and organizing, the next step is to make a process flow. That way, you can have a better order of things, and you won't be all over the place. 

To declutter and organize properly, you should do it phase by phase. You can decide which part of the house you want to start first. It could be the bedroom or the kitchen. From there, you need to decide on one area in a room at a time.

For example, if you start with the bedroom, focus on organizing your closet first. You can arrange your clothing by type, such as shirts, pants, socks, underwear, etc.  

4. Get storage containers for organizing 

A proper container to organize what you've decided to keep is important in making your house clutter-free. The best option is to purchase storage containers based on your needs.  

After you're done with the organizing, you'll be able to identify what type of storage containers you'll require. If you have seasonal clothes that don't fit the shelves, you can get storage bins that you can stack and store in a garage or storage room.  

You may even need small transparent plastic containers to store your underwear, socks, and other small accessories for easy access and visibility.  

5. Set the mood for decluttering and organizing 

Setting the mood for your decluttering session can be beneficial. You can listen to either fun and upbeat music or relaxing music. Whatever genre you choose is acceptable as long as it keeps you motivated.  

Decluttering and organizing are tasks that only some people prefer, so setting the mood to get to the right mindset would help inspire you.  

Takeaway 

If you want to start the new year right, you can declutter and organize your home. Getting started will always be challenging, but once you're at it, it'll be a walk in the park.

Following the tips provided in this article, it will be simple to properly store the items you choose to keep and dispose of those you don't need.

You'll also be able to start the new year with a clean space and a fresh perspective.

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