Your home is your very own sanctuary. Whether it be an ample or luxurious space or a modest apartment, it’ll always feel like a retreat, but only in so far as it is well-maintained. Walk into a clutter-filled home, and all those feelings of relaxation will fade away. Instead of looking forward to home, you’ll dread it now that it looks like a hoarder’s storage unit.
Instead of giving in to making clutter your best friend, you should always make no room for it at home. More isn’t always better; once you’ve given in to consumerism and the hustle and bustle of life, things will go out of hand. Cleaning and organization start with making time to declutter at least once every so often.
Put this on your calendar so you can make time for it. Most importantly, keep up what you’ve done so as not to start from scratch all over again.
So, how often should you declutter your home? Do so as often as when you feel any of the following scenarios.
Your Home Is Like A Showroom Of Furniture
How many sofas and tables do you need? If you have enough space, having all those cabinets and tables around your home is no big deal. However, if you barely have enough space to move freely because of all those big and bulky items in your home, that’s a sign it’s time to let go.
Do note that here, it’s not just the furniture that’s a problem. There are also all the other ‘heavy’ and space-consuming items like kids’ and baby gear, seasonal décor, and old appliances which you haven’t used in a year or so.
One of the reasons why you could still be holding on to those things is the inability to think of a means for efficient rubbish collection. Those aren’t like ordinary trash that fits in a bin, so disposing of it requires the help of professionals. Give them a ring to start your clean-out now.
You Would Think You Need More Storage Space
No, you don’t need more storage space. If you are to expand your home size, it should be because you want more usable square footage: not merely for storage.
Instead of renting out external storage or making room for that space, declutter first. At the end of the process, you can let go of more items than you initially expected. Doing so could also make you see the need to switch to a greener lifestyle, where dependence on single-use items could significantly lessen, and keeping up a more minimalist home.
You Can No Longer See Your Counter Or Floor
If you’re constantly tripping on things on the floor or your countertop with all sorts of things, that’s another sign it’s time to declutter. It doesn’t matter if the last time you did so was a month ago.
Your countertops are supposed to be clean and clear, not brimming to the edge with random things. When the flat surfaces of your home are neat and organized, it makes a world of difference in how much better your house now looks and feels.
Your Home Feels Crowded
A home is supposed to be cozy and inviting, never busy. It should also feel presentable enough, whether guests come unannounced or not. Once your home feels too busy, take time over the weekend to declutter.
Sell or donate those things you’ll no longer use. It’s a lot of work, but you’ll be glad you did. Nothing is better than a home that feels large enough for you to walk, move around, and breathe. Should guests come, there’s room for everyone to sit comfortably, even if you have to temporarily add a few rental chairs for parties, for example.
You Constantly Misplacing Items
You could be misplacing items more frequently now because there’s no ‘home’ for everything. Your cabinets are overflowing with things; drawers can barely open, and you still have the urge to buy more clothes despite not having enough room in your closet. You lose items when you don’t have a proper place to return them. And that’s not just because you lack space; you have too many things.
If decluttering overwhelms you, take it one cabinet at a time. Don’t feel compelled to finish the entire home in one setting. What’s important is that you start. When you do, you’ll immediately have that urge to continue.
The Bottomline
The ideal frequency as regards decluttering your home depends on different situations. There’s no cookie-cutter approach, as you must factor in your preferences. Families with children need to declutter more frequently, with kids outgrowing clothes and toys. Those who love to shop will also have more things than those who live a minimalist lifestyle. If you live alone and don’t stay home as much, your home stays uncluttered for longer. Assess your situation, and let that dictate when it’s time to give your home that major purge.
