If the clutter in your apartment seems to multiply faster than the tribbles on a “Star Trek” episode, it might be time to declutter. But where to start, where to start? That’s always the big question in everyone’s mind. Maybe it’s on yours. If you’re facing a decluttering job, it’s likely that you’ll find these four decluttering tips a good place to start.
1. Throw Away First
Many people start a declutter project by buying a bunch containers, shelves, and other storage items. Yet, Apartment Therapy cautions against this. Instead, go through your stuff and organize what you can first. Then, throw out what you won’t keep. It’s only AFTER that that you should buy additional storage containers. You’ll save cash because you’re not buying stuff you don’t need. And you won’t have to work around a bunch of extra boxes while you sort. One of the most common things that people throw out in their homes is paper. This is because mail can get piled up, notes get written down, and children love to do a lot of artwork on paper. However, you can solve this issue by going paperless as soon as everything gets thrown away. Instead of using paper, you can use your phone to write down notes, switch all of your bills to being email statements, and have your kids draw on tablets.
2. Your Bookcases
People often put lamps and other electronics on their bookcases. These are handy, especially if you’re searching for books or if you have a favorite reading chair right by the bookcase. The problem is that the cords can become unsightly. Why not think about cutting holes in the back of bookcases to accommodate cords for lamps and other electronics you’re storing on the shelves? All you have to do then is slide the cords through the back of the unit and they’re out of sight. To help save on space, it might be a good idea to have your cords connect with each other via piggyback plugs, like those from Americord.
3. Use the Ceiling and Walls Better
When you have a small space, it’s hard to find spots for things like cupboards and other bulky pieces of furniture. That is when you really need to get creative! In a kitchen setting, for example, you should forget about the traditional way of using cupboards. Instead, you can just hang them from hooks that you can attach to the walls or hang them from the ceiling using a hook and chain pot rack. You can also do regular shelves and not have them be closed off by a cupboard so that your space can appear to be more open.
4. Hide it Beautifully
Often, the items that we use to declutter our spaces look unsightly. Why not make organizing beautiful? You can do things like put a fancy bowl near the door to drop your keys in when you come home at the end of the day. A coat rack with hooks and drawers is also a good way to hide away raincoats and boots. By being creative with your storage, no one will ever be able to see your clutter.
Decluttering is a process. Don’t expect for it to happen overnight. As you come up with new decluttering systems, make sure that everyone else in your household is on board with it as well so that everyone is contributing to the clutter less.
