What is Clutter?
No one person has the same clutter as someone else. What clutter is to me might not be clutter to you. It is subjective.
Being rid of clutter is the first step to starting a new lifestyle. Once you intentionally decide what you need to keep in your home to live your ideal life, you have established the path to clutter-free living.
This blog post explores how to identify clutter, how clutter builds up in our homes, and how to work your way through your items in a meaningful way.
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions."
Barbara Hemphill
How do you know what clutter is?
If a space looks messy or untidy, even though you have just tidied the space, this is because there are too many items in the space.
Clutter is created when items that are in a space do not belong there. To have no clutter means that all items are stored in a purposeful and visually appealing manner, eliminating visual clutter.
For example, toys on the coffee table in the living room can be considered clutter, especially if they are there regularly. Creating a rotating toy box in the living room for the toys to be kept in, changes the toys from clutter to purposeful items in a functional storage.
How does clutter build up?
Being able to identify how you've built up clutter in the past makes you aware of what you need to be mindful of in future, to avoid things building up again.
Here are some of the most common ways clutter builds up in our homes:
- Home Organization: When you do not have a functional and designated space for your items, things easily become messy and overcrowded.
- Attachment: It’s not easy to let go of your belongings. Things we don’t use but aren’t willing to get rid of takes up unnecessary space.
- A change in schedule: Even when we have things down to a tee and everything has a spot, an interruption to your schedule and routine can cause things to build up (we’ve all promised that we’ll “get to it later!”)
- Poor storage: Storage containers are great, but only when used functionally. Without proper storage, your containers/boxes/baskets are at risk of becoming cluttered with everything you’ve assigned to keep in these containers.
What does a space look like without clutter?
First, try and visualize it:
How do you want the space to look and feel? What colors do you see? Is there a photo on Instagram or Pinterest that inspires you? Do you like neutral colours? Do you want that spa feel in your bathroom?
Then, think about why you want this feeling – really hone into your ultimate goal for your home and keep this in your mind throughout the process.
How do you remove the clutter?
Start by taking all items out of the space you're working in and spread them out on the floor or on a table.
Pick up each item and ask yourself these few questions about each item to determine where it needs to go:
- Do you need it? (Do not be in denial)
- Does it add value to the life you want?
- Does it belong to the vision of this space or should it go elsewhere in the home?
As you work through these questions, sort your items into 4 categories while you are decluttering, namely: Keep, Donate, Dispose and Recycle.
Dedicate a space in the room to put the Keep items. The rest of the items will go into the Donate/Dispose/Recycle containers. Cardboard boxes or baskets that are clearly labeled and kept nearby are ideal. You can use a marker on some tape or write directly on the boxes for your labels. Having these boxes at hand helps you make a decision quickly.
Now, you need to put the item in one of these 3 boxes if you are not keeping it. It is also motivating having the donate box nearby, to encourage you to get rid of items as you know someone else will make better use of it than you currently are. In the Donate box, you might identify some items you want to sell, too, which you can address at a later stage (alternatively, you can have a separate box for sale items).
What happens after decluttering?
Reward yourself! Removing clutter is no easy feat. People avoid it all the time, as it is mentally draining and takes time. However, if you get it right and achieve your goal, decluttering is life changing.
You will feel light and have a huge sense of achievement. You should be proud - throwing out items that once meant something to you is not easy. However, understanding that those items are no longer adding value to your life, is even more important.
Treat yourself to a sweet treat, put those feet up and visualize the calm and peaceful space that is to come.
After decluttering, the next steps include allocating storage, organizing the items and beautifying the area. A professional organizer can coach you through the decluttering process. We are also experts at storage solutions and organizational methods that will calm and simplify your space, making your home work for you.
Enjoy your new space!
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions."
Barbara Hemphill
How do you know what clutter is?
If a space looks messy or untidy, even though you have just tidied the space, this is because there are too many items in the space.
Clutter is created when items that are in a space do not belong there. To have no clutter means that all items are stored in a purposeful and visually appealing manner, eliminating visual clutter.
For example, toys on the coffee table in the living room can be considered clutter, especially if they are there regularly. Creating a rotating toy box in the living room for the toys to be kept in, changes the toys from clutter to purposeful items in a functional storage.
How does clutter build up?
Being able to identify how you've built up clutter in the past makes you aware of what you need to be mindful of in future, to avoid things building up again.
Here are some of the most common ways clutter builds up in our homes:
- Home Organization: When you do not have a functional and designated space for your items, things easily become messy and overcrowded.
- Attachment: It’s not easy to let go of your belongings. Things we don’t use but aren’t willing to get rid of takes up unnecessary space.
- A change in schedule: Even when we have things down to a tee and everything has a spot, an interruption to your schedule and routine can cause things to build up (we’ve all promised that we’ll “get to it later!”)
- Poor storage: Storage containers are great, but only when used functionally. Without proper storage, your containers/boxes/baskets are at risk of becoming cluttered with everything you’ve assigned to keep in these containers.
What does a space look like without clutter?
First, try and visualize it:
How do you want the space to look and feel? What colors do you see? Is there a photo on Instagram or Pinterest that inspires you? Do you like neutral colours? Do you want that spa feel in your bathroom?
Then, think about why you want this feeling – really hone into your ultimate goal for your home and keep this in your mind throughout the process.
How do you remove the clutter?
Start by taking all items out of the space you're working in and spread them out on the floor or on a table.
Pick up each item and ask yourself these few questions about each item to determine where it needs to go:
- Do you need it? (Do not be in denial)
- Does it add value to the life you want?
- Does it belong to the vision of this space or should it go elsewhere in the home?
As you work through these questions, sort your items into 4 categories while you are decluttering, namely: Keep, Donate, Dispose and Recycle.
Dedicate a space in the room to put the Keep items. The rest of the items will go into the Donate/Dispose/Recycle containers. Cardboard boxes or baskets that are clearly labeled and kept nearby are ideal. You can use a marker on some tape or write directly on the boxes for your labels. Having these boxes at hand helps you make a decision quickly.
Now, you need to put the item in one of these 3 boxes if you are not keeping it. It is also motivating having the donate box nearby, to encourage you to get rid of items as you know someone else will make better use of it than you currently are. In the Donate box, you might identify some items you want to sell, too, which you can address at a later stage (alternatively, you can have a separate box for sale items).
What happens after decluttering?
Reward yourself! Removing clutter is no easy feat. People avoid it all the time, as it is mentally draining and takes time. However, if you get it right and achieve your goal, decluttering is life changing.
You will feel light and have a huge sense of achievement. You should be proud - throwing out items that once meant something to you is not easy. However, understanding that those items are no longer adding value to your life, is even more important.
Treat yourself to a sweet treat, put those feet up and visualize the calm and peaceful space that is to come.
After decluttering, the next steps include allocating storage, organizing the items and beautifying the area. A professional organizer can coach you through the decluttering process. We are also experts at storage solutions and organizational methods that will calm and simplify your space, making your home work for you.
Enjoy your new space!
