Clutter can accumulate in even the cleanest homes. While clutter does not bother everyone, it can lead to stress for those who want to live in a cleaner space. If you’re looking to conquer the clutter in your home, we’ve put together some tips to help you get started.
For many, mail is the number one source of everyday clutter in the home. It’s far too easy to bring it in, put it down and completely forget about it until the pile has become overwhelming. One of the best things you can do to prevent mail clutter buildup is to create a system for sorting and handling the action items as soon as possible. Choose a designated spot for the mail and keep an extra waste basket nearby. This way you can toss junk immediately before it becomes part of the stack. Any items you need to keep can go into separate piles like magazines or bills, for example.
To stop mail buildup at the source, opt into paperless billing and correspondence with every service you can. You can clean and sort your inbox automatically, but the paper takes up space quickly.
To help prevent clutter, try to make a habit of donating clothes or other household items more frequently. For many, gathering things to donate is a once-per-move task or only inspired by specific charity drives. These trips can involve an overwhelming amount of bags or boxes ferried to various donation sites and while the reward is satisfying, the job can be easier if you do it more often. A great way to encourage more frequent donations is to keep an empty bag or box in your closet. Anytime you come across an item you know you don’t need, put it in the bag right away. Once the bag is full, you’ll know it’s time to donate.
You can always hang onto items you’re not sure about, but by putting them in a designated container will accomplish half of the goal. You’ll make room for the items you want to keep while putting the others out of sight. Pay attention to how much time passes without thinking about those items. You might be more ready to part with them than you expected.
When you’re trying to get organized, organization tools and containers become very tempting. However, if you don’t have a storage plan, you might end up worse than you began. Before you opt for that clever modular closet organization system, do a thorough decluttering of the space to see if you really need it. Finding the right type of storage and organization tools will help you become more efficient rather than less organized.
Another great way to make your existing storage more effective is to rethink what items go where. Try storing “like with like” so that certain objects are easier to find. This could apply to kitchen utensils, toiletries, pens and pencils, books, remote controls, electrical components and much more.
These are just a few ways to help reduce and clear out the clutter in your home. Though it might seem like a challenge, you can make an enormous difference even with the smallest changes.
Licensed since 1983 Donna is a well known and well respected veteran of the local real estate market. Donna has made her mark as both a manager of a brokerage firm and as an agent. Ms. Coakley McGowan has participated in extensive training in residential real estate and specializes in both Buyer and Seller Agency.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome an Associate of Donna’s caliber and expertise” said Judy Leonelli, Owner. "I have known Donna for many years and have admired her professionalism and talent for the pragmatic resolution to the difficulties that can arise during a transaction. When Donna is involved you know there will be a successful outcome.”
Ms. Coakley McGowan has lived in Upton since 1995 and knows the area and all of its attributes. She currently serves the Town of Upton and the Regional School District as Chairperson of the School Committee. She and her husband Mark and their two children reside in Upton.
