Decluttering - for looks, for sale, for you!

Do you need to get your house ready to present to potential buyers? Was getting rid of junk one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you look around and wonder “Where did all this junk come from?” Do you want your home neater, but don’t know where to start? No matter the reason, getting your home clutter free is important. Here’s some ideas to get you going!

Getting Started

Often, getting started is the hardest thing. You don’t know where to start and it all seems overwhelming. First, you have to make a plan. Do you want to get it done in 10 days? A month? 2 months? What do you want to accomplish? Strategize – tackle one room at a time. It is proven that completing one project successfully (like finishing a deep clean on an entire room) will motivate you to get going on another.

Timelines

You can have more than one timeline. For example, my closet is going to take me a year, but I want the rest of my house done by the end of the month.

Put your timeline down in writing. Even if you don’t keep the paper, it will get your head in the right direction. Stick to it as closely as you can. If you get into it, and find you can’t stick to what you originally though, just revamp it. Life happens, but when it does, don’t let it derail you so much that you do not keep going.

Example:
Week 1: By Friday, Have plan together

Saturday: Clean out bookshelves and donate or sell books. (Sell online, donate to Friends of the Library, Sell at Half Priced Books, give to friends with similar tastes) By starting with the bookshelves, you can clean off room to make homes for items that are out of place.

Week 2: M-F: Choose one room: Pick up, sort, Put Away 15 items each day in that room

Saturday: Complete deep clean in that one room. Organize what’s left in stylish boxes. These boxes can be stored in plain sight and look like decorations! (Picture A)
Week 3: Choose another room and do the same thing. Keep doing this until all rooms are complete.

Last week: Take everything you don’t want and decide what to do with it (Garage sales, sell online, give away, donate, throwaway)

Clear out Clutter

Ask yourself three questions:

If your answers are “no,” then it’s time to get rid of it.

Bonus: Selling online helps in two ways! You can pad your wallet by selling online but also help declutter. Do you really need multiple sets of dishes? Do you have pretty items that just don’t work with your home’s personality?

If you are going to have a yard sale, optimum price is generally about 10% of the original amount. This will help move your items quickly

Keep it Going!

Once or twice a week, walk around the house with two bags: Donate or Trash

At the end of the month, take the “Donate” bag to a drop center for donations.

Closet Ideas

I have switched all my hangers so they are actually hanging backwards. (Picture B) As I wear the clothes, they get hung back up facing the correct way. I have given myself a year to get through all the seasons. At the end of the year, anything still facing the wrong way will be removed from my closet.

What do I do with those clothes?

Donate them

Pass them on to someone who can use them

Repurpose them (Check out www.Pinterest.com for ideas)

Host a clothing swap (Check out www.clothingswaps.com to get ideas)