Having too many unnecessary items around can crowd one’s personal life. Simplifying your living can lead to a more enjoyable and relaxing everyday life, which in turn can allow you to focus on things you truly enjoy. Following these guides can improve your way of life while essentially having less to worry about. You can also improve self-morale by knowing your unused stuff is being better utilized while also participating in a greener environment.
How to Declutter Your Home
The Bedroom
About 25% of your closet is probably comprised of clothes that you will never wear again. While it’s ambitious to keep those jeans that are two sizes too small, you are not female so it’s time to relinquish them as you probably won’t see that size again. [Sorry to break it to you, but your significant other won’t see that size again either.] Use the 12 month rule: if you haven’t worn a piece in a year, it’s time to donate it. Although your yellow-pitted undershirts, lucky boxers that aren’t really lucky and holy socks are still in rotation, it’s time for those to go as well. Would a Ferrari skimp on what’s under the hood? Obviously not, so you should invest in quality undergarments as well. You might also have some dated clothes that still have the tag attached, so return them if you haven’t worn them within a month.
Unless you have space concerns, then your closet shouldn’t spill over to underneath your bed, feng shui or not. Think about how many TV scenes wouldn’t have happened if there was clutter underneath the bed – where else would they hide? Have a box of mementos from your exes? Guys don’t keep that stuff, so throw it out. Have a box of random stuff that’s been following you since you can remember? Unless you’re reprising Zach Morris’s old character, please recycle your old cell phone. Also no matter how much faith you had in Iomega Zip Drives, it’s time to junk that as well. One exception: it’s okay to keep your first generation Transformers, Constructicons and all.
The Kitchen
Ironically, your cupboard and fridge probably also has 25% of food that you’re never going to eat as well. Either because it’s expired or you don’t know what to do with a five pound can of beans, take time to clear out your kitchen and dispose anything you don’t have use for. Many cities have food bank programs, so utilize them so you can feel better about not throwing food away. Unless you have an actual family to feed, stop doing your grocery shopping at Costco too. Hopefully you don’t serve beverages in those plastic souvenir cups, so if they’re not from a World Series please dispose them. Chances are that you have countless grocery bags into a bigger shopping bag underneath your sink. Most grocers have started reusable bags, so purchase a couple of these the next time you go on a food run to eliminate plastic bag usage. I cringe whenever I see a built-in microwave complemented by a stand alone one. Your kitchen is not a 7-Eleven, so maximize counter space as much as possible and eliminate any unnecessary appliances, such as a second microwave.
The Bathroom
Your top drawer should contain all the toiletries that you should need. If you’re still in your metrosexual phase and require more product, then put those items in another area as well. These drawers also shouldn’t have all the mini-shampoos and lotions from your last five hotel stays or expired medicines either. Similarly to your kitchen counter, your bathroom counter shouldn’t have more than a soap dispenser and toothbrush holder. No one wants to see a bacteria infested sponge in the same vicinity as your toothbrush. Underneath your sink, consolidate your cleaning supplies by just using one bottle of CLR or Simply Green, like you can really tell if you cleaned your counters with 409 or Windex. Also the top of your toilet shouldn’t double as a magazine rack, since those same hands touching those pages probably touched poop at some time.
The Living Room
While it’s impressive you have all of your components somehow linked, ask yourself if you really need unnecessary boxes hooked up. When was the last time you watched a movie on VHS? Unless you’re an audiophile, consider purchasing an iPod Soundock or compact home theater system. While you’re at it, use twisty ties to clean up the cords behind your equipment, since you don’t want Fire Marshall Bill to tell you something. Also, I propose a new man-rule to not have more than two remotes on your coffee table. Many companies have their versions of all-in-one remotes, so look into this the next time you visit an electronics store. While it’s cool to have your movies and music collection displayed, think about buying a binder to house solely the disc and insert. Jewel boxes and DVD cases take up valuable real estate, so it’s best to consolidate these as much as possible. Also bookshelves should only contain a few frames, decorative pieces, and I don’t know, maybe even some books.
The Office
Your home office should only consist of items you use on a daily basis. Paper products accumulate and cause an eyesore. Even though Jessica Alba is on that GQ mag from last year, you won’t reread it, so it’s time to purge it. Implementing a proactive recycling system is as easy as getting a paper shredder and having a basket for recyclables right next to the trash. Buy a receipt organizer to help keep track of your purchases – your wallet will thank you. Just because it fits inside your billfold doesn’t mean it belongs there. Convert your snail mail bills to online payment to minimize paper and improve your efficiency when it’s bill paying time. Also cancel your catalogs being automatically sent to your address, since you’ll never order something from Pottery Barn.
The Garage
If you can’t fit your car into your garage, then you comprise the audience I’m talking to. Ideally you have a toolbox for your Bob Vila moments, a section of sporting goods to remind you that you were once an athlete, an automobile related area, and miscellaneous items. You didn’t buy that entertainment center for your garage, so why is it there? Why have an aquarium if there’s no fish in it? You don’t even use the exercise bike in the gym, so it’s time to get rid of unused workout equipment. I realized you paid a pretty penny for that 50 pound CRT monitor right before the flat panel explosion, but just take the L and bring it to your nearest electronics recycling center.
Do yourself a favor and really analyze what you need. Leave no room or closet unturned. Having a one-time purge can ease your psyche and provide you with more time to do what you enjoy. Dedicate a day to clear the clutter from your crib, and don’t forget to submit an itemized list when you donate, since you’ll benefit during tax time. Keep in mind decluttering isn’t limited to your household, as even your computer, wallet and car trunk should not be spared. Trust me, it’s very liberating once you dispose of any excess crap you don’t really need.
Comments
9 Responses to “How to Declutter Your Home: Be the Master of Your Domain”
As much as I hate to do it, sometimes I just have to say goodbye to some old friends like old socks with holes, pens that have ink but don’t work, gifts I don’t want that I’ve never opened and shades I thought were cool at the time but aren’t really.
I think if you are a pack rat then you tend to be a good loyal friend in life.
Great article. I’ve been meaning to clean up my desk at home for a while. Thanks for the inspiration.
The kitchen is a big one. If you can cut out a lot of clutter there, then you’re halfway home. I find the biggest chore is clearing out the pantry. My roommates tend to store way too much stuff and we always have tons to dump out if someone moves.
reegsta! i have so many white (yellow) wife beaters that i’ve been wearing since high school. i think its time to get rid of those. i also have a pair of socks with blue paint on them that have great sentimental value. those i will keep.
Decluttering is not so easy when you have kids. I have a rule in my house – for every new toy that comes in the house, an old one goes in the trash (or given away)! Otherwise I’d be up to my eyeballs in barbies, stuffed animals and plastic pink jewelry.
While not all advice is good for al people, this article does contain some good ideas.
Some of us are female, yanno.
if you look at the title above, it states that its “what men need to know,” so its obviously geared towards our gender.
Also to aid in decluttering not only your rooms but your life, find technology or devices, tools and furniture that have multi purpose and function. That means your laptop, pc, dvr’s, pvr’s, tv’s and anything else you can muster up, should be considered to determine if there is a better way to do its job.
Take a hint from the article, “3 Powerful Design Methods to Help You Overcome Any Obstacle”, make sure your habits don’t force you to avoid thinking of a better or differen’t way to accomplish something.