Benefits of Decluttering

Decluttering has become increasingly popular in recent years as a result of its numerous physical and mental benefits. It can reduce stress, improve focus, and conserve energy. It can also help you to make more intentional decisions about what items you keep in your home.

Decluttering can also help you save money by reducing impulse buys or selling items that no longer serve you. It has a lasting effect of bringing mindfulness to the items you do purchase by ensuring that they are of higher quality and better fit your lifestyle. Finally, decluttering can help create a more organized and peaceful home environment, which can lead to improved quality of life and increased happiness.

What is an Intentional Home?

An intentional home is purposefully filled to reflect the values of those who live in it. Using the space wisely and decluttering are key to creating an intentional home. By being mindful of your possessions, identifying what's important and eliminating what's not, you allow space for only the things that truly add value. The goal is to create a peaceful, organized refuge from the chaos of the outside world.

Tips for Decluttering Your Home

Start with Small Steps

Decluttering your home can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be if you start by tackling a small room and work your way around. Focus on one drawer, cabinet, or shelf at a time. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and help make the task more manageable. Take everything out of the area and make three piles: keep, donate, and throw away.

This will help you make room for items you actually use and enjoy. It’s extremely easy to get caught up in the “What If’s.” What if I need it for an event in the future? What if I plan to use it once I get another item? Remind yourself that it is no use if it has sat in the back of a closet for the past few years.

Create a Space for Everything

After ditching the rubbish, it's time to make sure there is space for your "keep pile". Your aim is to give everything a designated home, so you can store things in the same place and avoid searching high and low every time you need them. Take inventory of all the items you've kept and decide where each item should go. Label containers and shelves to make it easier to find items.Take advantage of vertical space. Use shelves, hooks, and baskets to maximize your storage space and keep everything organized. 

Create a Decluttering Schedule

Once you've finished decluttering your home, create a schedule to keep it that way. Designate a day every few weeks or months to go through your home, and set a reminder in your calendar or phone. To stay on top of things, be conscious of what you bring into your home. When making purchases, ask yourself if those goods are simply just temptations or if they will be a productive addition to your life. It's also important to be mindful of digital clutter. Go through your emails, social media accounts, and other digital files regularly and delete junk. Digital chaos can cause just as much turmoil as physical.

Organizing By Room

Documents, Desks, and the Office

A lot of stress simply emanates from an untidy office or desk. Luckily, a filing system can manage that. Filing cabinets and folders are a simple way to prevent important documents from being strewn about, or consider a digital filing system if you want to get rid of hardcopies altogether and maximize storage space. The most significant documents should be kept in a fireproof safe or a locked filing cabinet. Whatever system you choose, using it consistently is the only way it will be successful. 

Clearing out your Closet

Nobody likes a crowded closet. Start by donating or selling clothes that you no longer wear, have impossible-to-remove stains, or that do not fit anymore. Then, sort through your clothes and separate them by category. You can base this on the seasons, special occasion vs. everyday wear, clothing type, or even color. We recommend hanging items that are used most often and storing those that are worn less frequently. This will save you time when getting ready by making sure your clothes are easily accessible. 

Taking on the Kitchen

Taking into account that the kitchen is often seen as a gathering place, not to mention where most people spend three times a day, a messy kitchen can be a nightmare. Similar to clearing out the closet, begin by getting rid of old pantry products. Next, go through your kitchen items and categorize them accordingly. You'll want to keep items that are used most often in easy-to-reach places. Cleaning out the pantry and refrigerator regularly will help maintain a clutter-free kitchen. 

Making Your Home an Intentional Space

Creating an Atmosphere with Color

The colors of your walls define the atmosphere you create in your home. Neutral colors can be a great starting point, as they are easy to work with and won’t overwhelm the space. But for a more vibrant look, you can choose a few more bold colors and add accents in different shades of the same color. Just remember to pick colors that complement each other  for a cohesive look. If you’re not sure what colors to choose, you can always get inspiration from a color wheel or from nature. 

Choose Furniture that Fits Your Needs

Style is just as important as function when it comes to furniture. Think about how you use the space and what kind of furniture you need to make it work. For example, in a small living room, opt for furniture that is space-saving and has multiple uses. No matter the size of the room, quality overcomes quantity. A few investment pieces will ensure a timeless look that lasts for years, rather than constantly shelling out more money to fit in with the latest home decor trends that will ultimately generate clutter.

Utilize Natural Light

Lighting is the best way to make your home feel more inviting and to give the illusion of a larger space. If your home doesn’t get a lot of natural light, you can use artificial lighting to brighten up the room. Strategically placed lamps and overhead lights can do wonders for a dark space. If you’re lucky enough to have a lot of natural light, make sure to take advantage of it. You can install mirrors to help reflect the light around the room. This will help create an airy and inviting atmosphere. Saving money by reducing your artificial lighting use is just another plus while making your home feel more intentional.

Bring in Greenery

Greenery can instantly make any space feel more alive and welcoming. Alongside bringing life to your home, they purify the air and reduce stress. There are so many types of plants to choose from but if you’re not sure where to start, opt in for low-maintenance succulents or cacti. These are easy to care for and don’t require a lot of attention. You can also consider adding a few larger plants, such as a fiddle leaf fig tree, to add a touch of nature to your home. With a little bit of research, you can find the perfect plants to create an intentional space that reflects your personal style.

Conclusion

Decluttering can bring many benefits to your home and your life. Decluttering can also help you save money by reducing impulse buying and eliminating items that you don’t need. By removing items that no longer serve a purpose, you can make room for items that are more meaningful to you. 

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