New Year - Start Fresh By Decluttering

As we kick off 2016, many people take this time to clean out, declutter, and goal set to get their year off in the right direction. This week my focus on this blog will be sharing tips to help with all of these new year resolutions. Today we focus on thing NOT to do when decluttering. Here are five tips:

1. Organize First; Buy Second. Do not go out and buy a ton of storage pieces and supplies before you sort through your home. All of those pretty bins, boxes and baskets at The Container Store are very enticing, but they won't do you any good unless they fit the space (on the shelf, under the bed, in the closet); hold what you need them to hold, and function properly for your particular space.

2. Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew. Do not set aside an ENTIRE day to organize your WHOLE house. You will do better if you set aside one room a day.

3. Complete Each Task — Completely. Of course you will need to sort things into categories (e.g., toss, recycle, donate, give to friend, put in deep storage). But here's the crucial part: Once you have decided where something is going to go — take it there. Never keep bags for charity or boxes for friends in your home to deliver later. Do it now. Finish the process.

4. You are not done once every room is organized or you will find yourself back in the same spot in a month. You should expect regular upkeep, but just be glad that the new system is far more efficient than the old one.

5. Dont stress on perfection. I have been in many homes and closets, helping clients get ready to sell their home and you can not live in the containers magazine. It looks great and works properly, but it is a space that is used by an actual human being, not one that has been carefully staged by a team of stylists and marketers for a non-existent resident. You will ultimately be disappointed if perfection is your goal. The goal is to set up a space that works well for your needs. That is success.

Check back tomorrow for more tips on starting this year off amazing.

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