No one likes living in a cluttered home. It can be hazardous in addition to being unsightly.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, clutter is one of the leading causes of house fires.
So, if you’re considering putting everything into storage, decluttering your home is a must! But where do you start? Keep reading to learn more!
Make a Plan
Making a plan is essential before you start decluttering your home. This will help ensure that you don’t miss any important tasks and that the process is as organised as possible.
Making a plan will also help you stay focused on the task, as writing things down makes them seem more real and attainable. Think about when you want to start and finish. Make a list of everything that needs doing, such as:
- Get Organised: Decluttering is about getting organised as much as it is about getting rid of things.
- Get the Motivation: Remember why you’re decluttering in the first place. Stay focused, or you might run out of steam and give up.
- Move the Furniture: Move furniture temporarily out of the way so you can focus on the task without distractions.
- Get the Children: If you’re planning on getting rid of toys or books, get the children involved! Not only will this make them realise the impact of their actions in the long run, but it will give you a chance to explain what’s going to be done and why.
- Get Everyone Involved: If you’re planning on decluttering your home on your own, it can quickly turn into a marathon that you won’t finish for days or weeks. Get everyone in the family involved in getting your home decluttered in the quickest time possible!
Once you have an attainable list, it’s time to start decluttering your home!
Start With the Most Accessible Areas
Making things more difficult than necessary is unnecessary. Start by decluttering the most accessible areas of your home, such as the living room or bedroom. This will give everyone an idea of how much work there is to do and motivate them to get busy.
Once the easy places have been decluttered, you’ll be able to move on to the less accessible places, such as the attic or garage. You might find that after decluttering the easily accessible places, some of the more hard-to-reach ones become more easily accessible.
Sometimes, you may need to rearrange things to get to them. If you are doing it alone, always be cautious. Injury is the last thing you want to happen. Let a family member, neighbour, or close friend know you will be doing it.
Create Piles of Clutter
When you’re decluttering your home, it’s helpful to create piles of clutter. This will make it easier to determine what needs to be kept and what can be thrown away. As odd as it sounds, it helps to create a different pile for items you think are worth keeping and those that aren’t.
Sort Through Each Pile
Once you’ve created piles of clutter, it’s time to sort through them. This means deciding what needs to be kept and what can be thrown away. If you’re having a hard time deciding what to keep and get rid of, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Anything you haven’t used in a long time is most probably clutter. Just be aware of things you might only use once in a while, such as items for holidays or camping, or perhaps seasonal items. Check, check and check again! The items you think are worth keeping should go to another pile. These are the ones you think will benefit you the most and should be cherished.
Once you’ve created a pile of items you think you want to keep, you can sort them and put them away neatly. Anything remaining can either be thrown out or put into storage.
Don’t Procrastinate!
If you don’t start now, you’ll never get anything done! Set a schedule and get everyone involved in ensuring everything gets done promptly. This will allow you to make rash decisions, such as removing things that won’t be missed.
Once you’ve finished decluttering your home, you will feel better about it! Not only will it be easier to enjoy your home, but it will also improve your mental and physical health. This is especially important if you’re planning on moving soon, as it will make it easier to pack up efficiently.
Decluttering your home is not easy, but it can be done! And let’s face it! If you are merely decluttering to put the stuff you don’t want in the house into storage, at least you can relax, knowing it’s in a safe place and can be accessed at any time.
Reward Yourself!
When you finish decluttering your home, reward yourself with a nice dinner or a weekend away. You deserve it! Rewarding yourself could be good motivation to get the job done in the first place.
Ask for Help if Needed
Ask your friends or family members for assistance if you’re having trouble clearing out your home on your own. They’ll be more than willing to assist! Failing that, if the items are being stored in a storage unit, you can always speak to the professionals and see what services they offer. Perhaps they can help pack up everything for you! Most likely for a fee, of course.
If you’re struggling to find the motivation to declutter your home, consider renting a storage unit! This solves the problem and helps keep your home clean and organised.
Stay Motivated!
Staying motivated is one of the toughest parts of decluttering your home. If you’re struggling to stay motivated, set realistic goals and break them down into smaller tasks. Never underestimate the importance of decluttering your home! It’s not just a great way to free up space in your home, but it also helps improve your mental health!
If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed with clutter in your home and struggling to find the motivation to do it, consider renting a storage unit. The best way to stay motivated when decluttering your home is to keep sight of your goal.
Remember, a clean and organised home is worth the effort!
Conclusion
Decluttering your home before putting everything into storage is essential for two reasons:
- It will help keep your home safe from fires.
- It will make it easier to find things when you need them.
So, take some time to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you don’t need or use anymore.
And if you need help getting everything into storage, we’re here for you! Give us a call today.