One sign of grown man is a clean and organized living space. If you are out of college or grad school or in the working world its time to abandon the bro lifestyle. A clutter free and organized home is a sanctuary for calm and productivity. Whether you are in a small apartment or a large family home, you need to maintain order in your living space.
This can significantly reduce stress and make your day-to-day life a lot easier. However, when you try to keep your home organized it’s going to require consistent efforts, mindful habits and thoughtful planning. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed don’t worry.
Here are some steps you can take to declutter and organize your home once and for all.
Start With a Plan
The first step in organizing your home is to make sure that you have a clear plan. If you don’t have a good strategy, you’re going to feel lost and overwhelmed very quickly. You might even end up making the same mistakes repeatedly. This can slow you down and waste unnecessary time.
You should consider breaking down your tasks into smaller, more manageable goals. Try organizing one room at a time. You should focus on specific areas such as the kitchen drawers or your closets. Doing it this way will make you feel a sense of accomplishment regularly. It is also more likely that you will get the entire project done.
Declutter Regularly
One of the main reasons that your home may become cluttered is that it accumulates unnecessary items over time. When you hold onto things that you no longer need or use it it’s going to cause the clutter that you are trying to avoid.
A great way to maintain an organization is to make sure that you regularly throw or give things away. You should set a time each month for this.
You can start by identifying categories such as books, kitchen gadgets, clothes and miscellaneous items. You should have a one-in-one out policy which means that whenever you acquire something new you get rid of something old.
This is a practice that is going to keep your positions in check and prevent the unnecessary accumulation of unwanted things.
Invest is Storage Solutions
One of the most effective ways you can keep your home organized to make sure that you invest in storage solutions. You should have a designated spots for your items that will prevent clutter from building up.
Consider using storage bins, shelves and containers as these can help you to organize your belongings very neatly. A good rule of thumb you can have is to use storage that is practical but also visually appealing. This way is going to complement the aesthetics of your home.
You should use attractive baskets or boxes for items such as toys, extra shoes and even blankets. Consider using wall mounted shelves and hooks because they are going to be great for maximizing your vertical space especially in those small rooms. Don’t forget to use under the bed storage for items that are used frequently.
For outdoor enthusiasts, a hitch bike rack is going to be a great solution for your bicycles. This will prevent them from cluttering up your garage or your living area.
Keeping outdoor gear organized in this way is going to ensure that it doesn’t take up any space that you need. It will also make it accessible for when you need it.
Develop Good Daily Habits
Organization is not just something that happens overnight. It’s a long term commitment that’s going to require you to put in some daily effort. Once you get your home organized the key is to maintain that order. You need to develop habits and that make it easier for you to keep everything in its place.
Make your bed in the morning and put away clothes after trying them on. Wash dishes immediately after a meal as this can go a long way in preventing clutter. Consider setting a 10 minute tidy up routine every evening before you go to bed. Spend a few minutes each day just straightening up your living space so that everything is fresh and organized for the next day.
By dedicating a small amount of time really you won’t have to deal with overwhelming messages later on.
Use Vertical Space Effectively
If you have limited square footage in your homes one of the best ways you can maximize your storage is by using vertical space. High shelves and cabinets as well as hooks can keep items off the floor and create a feeling of openness in your home.
You should consider hanging items like coats, bags and hats near the door. Use wall mounted shelves to store your books and other decor. A well-organized wall space can make a big difference and create a clutter free environment very quickly. By thinking vertically you are going to use unused space to create more room for living.
Try the One Touch Rule
The One touch rule says that you can only touch something once before you have to put it in its proper place please. This is a powerful concept that can help you unload a lot of unnecessary clutter. For example, when you bring the mail inside you should sort it through immediately. Discard and file anything you don’t need, don’t let it pile up in a corner.
This principle can be applied to just about everything that is in your home from laundry to dishes. When you immediately put things away when you’re done with them you’re going to prevent small messes from snowballing into big ones.
Create Zones for Different Activities
You need to make sure that you are creating zones for different activities. This is how you’re going to maintain a fully functional layout.
For example, you can have a work zone, a crafting zone, reading zone and a workout soon. You should assign a specific area to prevent things from migrating into other spaces. This way when you are done with an activity you know exactly where to put everything. Being mindful of a few simple things can keep your home clutter-free and comfortable. It just takes a bit of consistency.
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