Everybody’s living space has some degree of junk or stuff lying around. Some people have way more volumes of unneeded stuff in their house, and it may be the reason why you are constantly feeling uneasy or overwhelmed. If those stacks of newspapers or magazines or your kids’ bikes are beginning to get on your nerves, they may be a reminder of all the things you feel like you cannot manage. If you do not take any significant steps to reduce the mess in your home, you are predisposing yourself to stress, and it is time to find storage fast. Below you will find a series of steps you can take to significantly reduce the stuff lying about and increase the space of your home.

Make a plan

Just like any other project, a plan helps guide you as you go about reducing the amount of clutter in your home. This way, as you go through every room and start letting go of things you thought you or your family members thought you needed, you will not get frustrated. Your list should have your clutter hotspots, such as the study, living room shelves or basement, and a day for each room to ensure you do not get too exhausted, while paying attention to places that may need more than one day, such as a garage.

Have a sorting system

As you go about each room, you will need a ‘sorting system’ for all the items you believe needs to go/ try the ‘Three Box Method’ where you have three boxes labeled 'Keep,' 'Get Rid of,' and 'Put in Storage.'  For the items in the 'Keep' box, store them neatly in a labeled drawer. For the 'Get Rid Of,' arrange to give them away for donation, sell online on sites like eBay or host a Garage sale, or toss them in recycling drop off points. For the storage items, have robust and weather and waterproof storage containers and place them in an organized way in your designated storage area.

How to designate items into each box:

If you find a piece of equipment that does not work, either get it fixed or get rid of it. If you have not used something in over six months, or saw it and your first reaction was ‘I cannot believe this is still around!’ then get rid of it. This especially applies to clothes and shoes. Offering them up for donation is a way better alternative to having them consume space in your closet for years to come.

Get the family involved

De-cluttering should be a family effort, as getting rid of something a family member likes could cause resentment. You can also enlist their help in carrying and driving boxes to donation or recycling points. Getting the family involved could make the process fun and make for some bonding time.

Conclusion:

Once you are done with the process, you will be surprised by how much room your home has and how airy it feels. Every home could do with the refreshing mood a clutter-free home brings.