Decluttering is one of the most challenging tasks for hoarders. And if you’re moving to a smaller home, you need to prioritize which to keep and which to throw away. It may seem like an overwhelming task, but you can make the process easier with the right tips. In this post, we discussed some hacks on how to organize clutter in a small house faster.
1. Purge it!
The best way on how to clean a messy house in one day is to do a purge. This is also an efficient method to free up space if you’re moving to a smaller property. It will also make your home more breathable, and you can quickly move around.
If you’re familiar with Marie Kondo, you probably have an idea on how to declutter your small home. If you’re not using an item or don’t see any value in it, it’s best to get rid of it.
Over time, clutter can build up in your home. This is why we recommend that you purge unnecessary items in your home every month. If this is time-consuming, you can do the purge every quarter. Take note that having kids around makes purging a little more difficult.
2. Make a list
Before you start purging, it’s essential to make a checklist to keep track of your belongings. If you live in a small house, it’s easy to lose your mind when clutter piles up.
So while you purge, we recommend that you use the Four Box method. Get four boxes and label each one as the following: Give Away, Keep, Relocate, and Trash. As you place each item on these boxes, list it down so you’ll have a basis later on. Should you need to retrieve an item later on, you won’t rummage on multiple boxes.
Also, list the items you’re going to store and where you’re going to store it. Take note that your list shouldn’t be counterproductive. Some hoarders tend to look back and change their minds when it comes to the things they will give away.
3. Use space-conscious storage
With a small home, it’s very challenging to keep things in order. Still, it’s not impossible. You can utilize creative means of storage without making your living space too cramped.
You can utilize the space under your bed. You can purchase drawers with wheels so you can easily pull and push the storage back in place. If you have multiple pairs of shoes, you can place it in a shoe organizer. This will free up space in your closet, not to mention that you can get rid of clutter in your entryway.
Do you have bulky blankets? You can place it in plastic suction bags and stash it underneath your bed. If you’re using multiple storage areas, make sure that you label it or that you list it down.
4. Donate items you don’t use
Once you’ve sorted the cluttered items in your home, it’s best to donate those you don’t use regularly. If you haven’t used an item in the past three months and not planning to do so soon, you must donate it instead.
We understand that giving away some of your belongings isn’t easy. So for this to be effective, it’s best to give away one item a day. Through this, you won’t feel the weight of losing too many items at the same time.
By following this habit, you can get rid of 365 items on a year that you don’t use. Do you still have the old crib of your child? How about old toys? If you’re not going to use it in the near future, you can do other people a big favor by giving it to them.
For those who want to make some money, a garage sale will also work.
5. Organize your closet
Our closets are one of the most disorganized parts of the house. Out of all your clothes, you only wear about 20% on a regular basis. If you’re not planning to wear them, it’s best to give it away or add it to your garage sale items.
Start by getting a clothing rack. This will help you organize while freeing a lot of space in a small dresser. If you don’t have space or a closet, you can utilize modular shelving where you can tuck away your essentials. It also makes the items visible.
You can also donate some to a homeless shelter, a local charity, or a thrift shop.
Another decluttering trick is to hang your accessories. Instead of having your bag competing for space with your clothes, you hang it on the interior of your closet door.
6. Utilize racks and door organizers
Door organizers will help free up a lot of space, especially on the floor. You can hang one at the back of your kitchen door. Here, you can place pot holders, cleaning sprays, keys, towels, and so on. A door organizer is also useful in the bathroom, especially if you don’t have space for another cabinet.
For those who have too much makeup to keep, a hanging door organizer would come handy. You can place lipsticks in one pocket, foundation in the other, moisturizer in one, and so on.
You can also attach steel racks at the back of your pantry door. Here, you can stash spices, little tubes, and whatnots that you need to be handy all the time. It’s also a great way to stash toiletries without the mess.
7. Pick items on the floor
One thing that makes our home look untidy is the items that we leave on the floor. As much as possible, don’t put items barely on the floor. Avoid using the floor as storage space so you can move freely on your small abode.
Many parents are guilty of just piling their kid’s toys in one corner. Since the kiddo will just use it the next day, they don’t see a point to organize it.
First of all, you may need to purge some of your kid’s toys if a large box isn’t enough to accommodate everything.
Aside from that, you can use several wicker baskets to place slippers on when not in use. You can also use this to keep all your kid’s toys in one place.
8. Use vertical space
If you have a small floor area, your leverage is your vertical space. This is an excellent hack for small rooms with lots of clutter. You can make vertical shelving for your shoes, bags, books, and other similar items. This is also a great idea in organizing your child’s toys and other belongings.
The trick here is standard shelves but with more levels. This way, you can have more storage space without consuming additional floor area.
You can also make the vertical storage colorful so that it can double as a decoration. However, make sure that the items you’re going to put on these organizers are also well stacked so your home will not look cluttered.
9. Recycle unused items
One way on how to help hoarders get rid of stuff is to teach them how to recycle. Hoarders don’t like throwing away stuff on the bin, so it’s much better to encourage them to repurpose some of the items for good use.
For example, used batteries can be sent to post offices and libraries for recycling. Make sure that you inquire about your locality before doing so since not all offer this service.
Do you have piles of boxes from pizza, cereal, or crackers? Instead of keeping it inside the house or your yard, you can send it to junk shops to earn some money. Take note that keeping these items on your home also invites pests.
Lastly, if you have a stack paper you need to dispose of, you can shred it and use it as a paper crinkle.
10. Don’t cling on some items!
Last but not the least, don’t cling on items you don’t need! The biggest hindrance to decluttering is holding on to items that only eat space in our homes. Take note that if you don’t have a use for it, you don’t need it. You might as well sell it for good money, give it away, or recycle it.
One way to release your attachment on certain items is to give yourself a time limit. This way, you’ll have a definite period on which you need to let go of things. For example, if you haven’t worn a shirt for six months, it’s best to give it away to people who need it.
Also, the time limit applies to your process of decluttering. A photo album can easily distract you from finishing up. So instead of dragging the process, it’s best to allot a specific period for it.
Conclusion
Decluttering your home isn’t just about staying organized. It also helps improve your quality of life while maximizing the potential of your living space. With simple tips and steps, you can go through the process easily.