Decluttering can be a daunting task. But the benefits are well worth it. More space, less clutter, and fewer things are all positives – and here are some great tips for starting the process of decluttering your home.

• Start Small: Don’t try to declutter the entire house in one day. Start with a room at a time instead of trying to do it all at once. This will help you feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete your task and be less overwhelmed by having too much that needs to be done at once. You can also pace yourself so that you have enough energy for each part of the job before moving on to another room or section of your home. 
  • And don’t be afraid to ask for help from family members – especially if it’s their items you’re looking to declutter!
• Don’t Worry About Putting Things Away – Yet: When you’re ready to get started, don’t worry about putting things away yet. The first step is decluttering and making decisions on what exactly goes in the room or rooms that you are working on. If it doesn’t fit into your definition of an item that belongs in this space, then put it into a “donate pile” instead of straight into storage. 
• Prioritize What You’re Keeping: One way to prioritize what should be kept over items meant for donating or selling elsewhere is using a “one in, two out rule.” This means that if you bring something new into your home (such as an item of clothing), then two other things need to go elsewhere, like the donation pile or potentially even to outside sale locations such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Yes, you might even make money when you declutter.
• Pay Attention to the Condition of Your Things: Next, look through all of those items and figure out what kind of condition they’re currently in. You need to decide on the things you want to keep, donate, recycle, or that belong in the trash. 
  • And, keep in mind that some things may need replacing – especially if you tend to throw broken items into a closet with the intention of repairing them later. 
• Now Put Things Away: Once you’ve decided what goes where, it’s time to put things away. As you go through each room and box up your belongings, try to stay focused on putting them back in their ideal place rather than just haphazardly throwing everything into storage spaces – which will just undo all of your hard work. When you’re done putting things back, make sure you put labels on each box and item to let everyone else know what they are as well.
  • Additionally,  you might consider some stylish storage options if you need to keep items easily accessible. Decorative baskets and crates can help store blankets, books, and toys. 
• Then It’s Time for Maintenance: Now that everything is in its proper place, it’s time for the next step: maintenance. At least once every day before bedtime, do a quick walkthrough of all rooms just to see if anything needs to be put away or added to a donation box. You’ll also want to regularly declutter so that it doesn’t become overwhelming.

Decluttering can be a rewarding project. You’ll love the way your home looks – and, hopefully, all of the space you gain. But remember, regular maintenance is what will keep it looking this way! Find a system that works for you and keep at it!