Have you been working hard at decluttering? If so, you now have a more decluttered space!

But as we have more declutter space, we have this bad habit of putting up new other things with those spaces. So you need to understand why you are decluttering

In order to keep the clutter out once and for all, you need to have a better understanding of why it got there in the first place. Decluttering would give you a lot of benefits and advantages. It guides you to have more space and a stress free space. There are some other guidelines on cleaning up, just click here.

Here are a few decluttering habits that you should follow:

  • Make Sure everything has a Place

Everything in your home should have a specific spot that it belongs {and stays!}.  Label containers and baskets to help other family members remember where things go, and get everyone in the habit of putting their own items away where they belong {this can definitely take some time but stick with it!}.  If you do not have a space for your item, it either needs to go, or you need to find something else that can go to make room for it. With the exception of seasonal items, try to make everything as accessible as possible. 

  •  Don’t get Addicted to Sale!

If you are one of those people that just can’t pass up a good deal, think very carefully before you make that purchase!  Remember that every item that you bring into your home has a price – a price of time to clean and maintain it, a price of space, and a price of energy. No matter how good the deal is {even if it is free!}, if you don’t need it or and will not use it, leave it for someone else who will.  Be especially wary of those “Buy 2 get one free” deals or stores that will sell at a slightly discounted price if you buy multiple items. If you do not need it, do not buy it!

  •  Avoid buying things you can’t Return

This one might not apply to everyone and, of course, there are always a few exceptions, but for me, I need to see things in my house before I know if they are going to work.  I probably end up taking back at least a quarter of everything that I buy because it either doesn’t work in the space like I had envisioned or I decide that I really don’t need it.  Clothing that looked fabulous in the store doesn’t look quite as good when I get it home or doesn’t really go with anything else in my closet. Remember that you truly want to love everything that you keep!  That “great deal” on a clearance item that you can’t return may not end up being such a great deal after all if you never end up using it.

  •  Avoid buying for your “Future” Self

Have you ever bought something because you believed that you would need it in the future? Well, you should stop it. Just buy items as you need them instead of predicting what you will be doing/wanting/needing at some future time.  Sure a small little stockpile of food or basic items like toilet paper or paper towels is fine every now and then, but don’t go overboard here. While you may believe that you are going to need that yoga mat next year when your child is finally off to Kindergarten, it might just not happen!

  •  Try keeping at least 20% space of your cupboards, drawers and other Storage units

First you need to recognize that your home has a finite amount of space.  You can only pack your cupboards that are not as much into your closets. If a space is filled to its maximum capacity, it can be more difficult to keep it organized and see everything that is in there.   Over time, items don’t get put back in the right spot, things get messy, and you can’t find what you are looking for. Try to always keep at least a little free space to give yourself a little freedom of movement to shuffle items around or to accommodate other items that you may need to add to that space.

  • Do not go crazy on the organization products

You definitely need some areas for storage in your home, but don’t head down to The Container Store and buy every bin and basket in sight. If you keep adding more storage, I guarantee you that the space will eventually fill up. Before you add additional storage, declutter as much as possible first, live with the space for a couple of weeks, and then decide what you really need to make it a more organized and functional space.

  • Always have a permanent donation box

Keeping one large donation box in the garage and a few smaller boxes to your bedroom closets might help you. You can just easily put immediately the things that you don’t need anymore. This might help you to stop from “second guessing” to the things that you don’t anymore use. Once the box starts to get full, you can drop it by to charities.

  • Don’t give up!

Decluttering is not a one-time project. It’s an ongoing process. Naturally, you still need to continue accumulating stuff. There will also be items that you loved at one point of your life, that you may someday outgrow or no longer use. Continue to practice the tips above and you will learn to find that balance between what you are adding to your home and what you are able to get rid of. Then, decluttering your home will not be a difficult process for you, it will be a regular habit that you follow.

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