According to many organization experts, there are several compelling reasons for wanting to clear clutter in one’s home. Objects and papers that take up physical space can also have a negative effect on the mind, causing stress and diverting focus away from important tasks. In addition, cluttered homes often cause people to waste a great deal of time looking for lost documents and other items. A clutter-free home can result in greater peace of mind and a sense of productivity. By tackling the problem in a systematic manner, you can clear clutter and create an organized living space.
First, you should determine which area is most in need of clutter control, and designate it as a high priority as far as needing to be organized. Focusing only on this space, you could divide and conquer the clutter by sorting things into manageable piles. Then you could create categories specifying what needs to be dealt with immediately, set aside, or thrown out. To get motivated to clear clutter, it might help to have a tangible goal or reward in mind. For instance, you might be more willing to clean out your closet if you thought that you could make some money by selling or auctioning your unwanted clothing items.
To clear clutter effectively, try to break large goals down into small tasks. Perhaps the kitchen is the most cluttered room in the house, so do not try to clean any other areas until this room is finished. Before starting to declutter, it often helps to have a game plan in mind, and to arm yourself with some organizing tools that will simplify the process. Be sure that everything in the room has a purpose, and then decide how to organize or store it.
Different types of clutter might require unique strategies. For example, paperwork might be organized according to bills or items that require immediate action, important documents that should be filed, and papers that can be recycled or thrown away. To make the process easier, there are various types of filing systems available to help people deal with paper clutter. Closet clutter, on the other hand, can often be eliminated by deciding which items to wear, store, repair, clean, donate, or sell. After each clothing article has been dealt with, all that should remain in the closet are the key pieces that you wear regularly.
To prevent future clutter, it might help to take a few minutes each day to deal with potential problem areas. Incoming mail and other paperwork can accumulate quickly. Sometimes it can also be difficult to find a place for gifts or recently purchased items, which can result in cluttered spaces all over again. Consider enlisting the help of others to clear clutter at home. People with children can teach them how to care for their own belongings, and even toddlers are old enough to learn how to clean up and organize their toys. Finally, you could seek the advice of a professional organizer if the amount of clutter becomes too much to handle on your own.