Decluttering the home is a great way to feel zen in the living space, while also having the peace of mind that everything is neat and tidy.
With the help of decluttering, people can get rid of things that have been lying around the house for weeks, months or even years, that will never be used.
It also creates the perfect opportunity to donate items that are no longer required to people who will make more use of them in their day-to-day lives.
As suggested by Marie Kondo, author of the book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising', as well as host of the Netflix series 'Tidying Up With Marie Kondo', "Keep only things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard the rest." Through decluttering, the Japanese author, host and presenter reminds people to take the extra step to live a minimal life, and avoid storing items that are not used, and do not add value daily.
Here are some great tips to help kick-start the process towards enjoying a clutter-free space:
Make a list: The first task to tackle before starting the decluttering process is to make a list. Lists help in breaking down the tasks that need to be completed, making them less stressful and easy to manage. While making a list, the areas that need to be cleaned should be written down, and can then further be broken down into sections and smaller tasks, to ensure it is all completed.
Get rid of things that are not used in a while: A brilliant way to start the clean-up process at home is by getting rid of all the items lying around that have not been used in months and have been forgotten about. It can be electronics that are no longer being used after upgrading them or old clothes kept in hopes of one day fitting into them. As these items do not add value to daily life and only contribute to taking up more space in the house, assess each item and if it has not been used in a while, it will probably not be used in the upcoming months, and is a good incentive to get rid of it.
Everything should have a home: One of the main reasons that contribute to a cluttered space is not having a place for an item to be stored in. As people are constantly exploring new hobbies, activities and shopping, there are more items being brought home. More often than not, these items are added to the house and are kept wherever there is space available. While decluttering, make sure that every item has a designated space, and after it is used, is placed in the same spot.
Tackle one corner at a time: When the motivation to declutter strikes, it is important to not start cleaning the whole house at once as it adds to the mess, and can lead to many people feeling demotivated to continue sorting things out. Instead, start by cleaning one area at a time in a particular room, and once completed, move on to another area. For example, while decluttering the bedroom, start with the cupboards and only once that is clean and everything has a place of its own, move on to the next area like the bedside drawers. By following this method of cleaning smaller areas, eventually, sorting out the bedroom will be complete, and can then move on to tackling smaller areas in the kitchen and living room.
Ensure there is enough time: As decluttering is a time-consuming process, make sure that enough time is carved out of the day, dedicated to making the space clutter-free. Cleaning the house all in one go and in a day is not feasible, as it is a tiresome activity. Additionally, decluttering should not be done in a hurry, for the sake of having an organised space. Sometimes when the process is rushed, it can lead to getting rid of items that are of use or keeping more than required and, over time, adds to the clutter.
Make the process fun: Decluttering is not everyone's cup of tea, and to many, is a task they want to finish as quickly as possible. To make the process fun, get family and friends involved, which can lead to interesting conversations about various items, and can also help in sorting out an area faster. Also play music to keep the energy up, and take breaks to have a little dance party, while trying on outfits, when unsure of whether to keep it or not.
After the series of decluttering all the rooms, finding a spot for all items, and getting rid of things that are not needed, over time, it can get easier to fall back into the routine of adding more to the house, without having a designated place. Here are some ways to keep the house clean, after decluttering:
Weekly cleanups: Decluttering is not an everyday task, however, maintaining the areas that have been sorted out requires effort. Every week, set aside some time to clean up the things that have been left behind, be it after a busy day when there was no motivation to clean, or after getting some retail therapy in. This helps to ensure the house is regularly clean, and items continue to reside in their designated spaces.
Buy items that are essential: With the accessibility to shopping in-stores as well as online, and new innovative items released regularly to simplify everyday life, it is easy to get lost in wanting to make the house more tech-savvy and dynamic. However, more often than not, these items can get forgotten about after the initial few uses, and end up creating more clutter. Before buying a product, make sure that the item adds value to the house, and only then purchase the product.
Decluttering is a rewarding process, that after completion gives the individual a sense of satisfaction, that everything in the house has a designated spot to reside in. As it is a long process with high rewards of a clean space, these tips from getting rid of things that have not been used to dedicating time, can add to the experience, and ensure the house remains clutter-free.