No Time to Declutter the Whole House? Try These 6 Ideas
Make a fresh start by tackling a few tasks that will revitalize your home and your spirits
Jeanne Taylor
January 19, 2020
Houzz Contributor. Jeanne Taylor is a professional home organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the co-owner of Tailorly with her business partner Patricia Lee. Together they create beautiful homes through decluttering, organizing, and styling. For more information visit www.tailorly.net.
Houzz Contributor. Jeanne Taylor is a professional home organizer in the San Francisco... More
January can inspire a lot of energy and goal-setting — sometimes, with goals that can be difficult to accomplish, given our schedules. Many of us, for instance, don’t feel we have the time to tackle a whole house declutter. If that describes you, that’s OK! Undertaking just a few projects to pare back your possessions can help you start off the new year in a more tranquil home. Consider these six to get started. Plan on spending 10 to 15 minutes on each suggestion.
1. Trim Down Your Papers
In many of my clients’ homes, papers are a major source of clutter. But the new year is a great time to start with a clean slate. Start by spending a few minutes collecting into one large shopping bag all papers cluttering counters and surfaces of furniture. Recycle coupons and ads that are expired and anything else that is dated, such as invitations, catalogs and school notices. This task is meant to be completed in 10 to 15 minutes, so stay focused on clutter that can be removed quickly. You can do a more intensive paper purge — such as sorting through children’s art to decide what to save, and shredding and filing last year’s bills and statements — when you have more time.
Browse filing cabinets for your important papers
In many of my clients’ homes, papers are a major source of clutter. But the new year is a great time to start with a clean slate. Start by spending a few minutes collecting into one large shopping bag all papers cluttering counters and surfaces of furniture. Recycle coupons and ads that are expired and anything else that is dated, such as invitations, catalogs and school notices. This task is meant to be completed in 10 to 15 minutes, so stay focused on clutter that can be removed quickly. You can do a more intensive paper purge — such as sorting through children’s art to decide what to save, and shredding and filing last year’s bills and statements — when you have more time.
Browse filing cabinets for your important papers
2. Rotate Out Your Magazines
Many of us have subscriptions to several magazines. These publications can linger for months on coffee tables, nightstands or desktops, or find their way into already overstuffed racks and baskets. Consider starting fresh by clearing out all periodicals from the previous year, as well as any older ones you may have. If a publication contains an article you want to reread or a recipe you want to try, I suggest clipping it out and scanning it onto your computer for future reference. Then donate, give away or recycle the rest.
Find recycling bins to use at home
Many of us have subscriptions to several magazines. These publications can linger for months on coffee tables, nightstands or desktops, or find their way into already overstuffed racks and baskets. Consider starting fresh by clearing out all periodicals from the previous year, as well as any older ones you may have. If a publication contains an article you want to reread or a recipe you want to try, I suggest clipping it out and scanning it onto your computer for future reference. Then donate, give away or recycle the rest.
Find recycling bins to use at home
3. Clear Your Counters
How does your kitchen look? Perhaps the mixer is left out from your holiday baking or the blender is sitting out awaiting your weekend smoothie-making. No matter how good-looking your small kitchen appliances are, having too many on a countertop takes up too much visual (and valuable) space. So consider leaving out only the appliances you use on a daily basis, like a coffee maker. Stow the rest away.
While you’re at it, take a critical look at fruit bowls, decorative candles, baking canisters, spice racks, tissue boxes, cookbooks and paper towel holders. If you have room available, consider finding a permanent home for these items in a drawer, cabinet or shelf. Think about donating unused items to a local nonprofit.
How does your kitchen look? Perhaps the mixer is left out from your holiday baking or the blender is sitting out awaiting your weekend smoothie-making. No matter how good-looking your small kitchen appliances are, having too many on a countertop takes up too much visual (and valuable) space. So consider leaving out only the appliances you use on a daily basis, like a coffee maker. Stow the rest away.
While you’re at it, take a critical look at fruit bowls, decorative candles, baking canisters, spice racks, tissue boxes, cookbooks and paper towel holders. If you have room available, consider finding a permanent home for these items in a drawer, cabinet or shelf. Think about donating unused items to a local nonprofit.
4. Edit Your Books
If you are an avid reader like I am, you may have books cluttering up your coffee or end tables and nightstands. It may be hard for you, like it is for me, to part with books, especially those that are particularly enjoyable or meaningful. But let’s be honest: Not all books carry the same weight.
Take a few minutes to look at the books you read last year. Save only the ones that really meant something to you, and put them away on a bookcase. The others you can pass on to friends, sell at a second-hand bookstore or donate to a library fundraiser.
You Can Do It: How to Let Go of Unwanted Books and Magazines
If you are an avid reader like I am, you may have books cluttering up your coffee or end tables and nightstands. It may be hard for you, like it is for me, to part with books, especially those that are particularly enjoyable or meaningful. But let’s be honest: Not all books carry the same weight.
Take a few minutes to look at the books you read last year. Save only the ones that really meant something to you, and put them away on a bookcase. The others you can pass on to friends, sell at a second-hand bookstore or donate to a library fundraiser.
You Can Do It: How to Let Go of Unwanted Books and Magazines
5. Uncover Your Tabletops
To tackle cluttered end, coffee and dining tables in your home, I recommend you get three large shopping bags and label them “toss,” “donate” and “relocate.” Then walk quickly from room to room and scan your table surfaces. Remove anything that is not decorative or used daily, and put it in the appropriate bag. Once you’ve cleared all tables, take a look at the items in your “relocate” bag and find them a permanent home. Toss or donate the rest.
Resist the urge to collect all items in a single box or bag and then place that in the garage or a closet, as many of my clients have done over the years. Then they hire me to clear out boxes and bags of stuff they likely should have gotten rid of years before.
Find a professional organizer near you
To tackle cluttered end, coffee and dining tables in your home, I recommend you get three large shopping bags and label them “toss,” “donate” and “relocate.” Then walk quickly from room to room and scan your table surfaces. Remove anything that is not decorative or used daily, and put it in the appropriate bag. Once you’ve cleared all tables, take a look at the items in your “relocate” bag and find them a permanent home. Toss or donate the rest.
Resist the urge to collect all items in a single box or bag and then place that in the garage or a closet, as many of my clients have done over the years. Then they hire me to clear out boxes and bags of stuff they likely should have gotten rid of years before.
Find a professional organizer near you
6. Whittle Your Wardrobe
Keep in mind that this is not a full closet overhaul — you’re simply going to be getting rid of a few things. Here’s how: With a donation bag in hand, take a quick look at your closet and spend no more than 10 minutes removing garments that are ill-fitting or unflattering. If you haven’t worn an item in two years, consider donating it. Even if something was expensive or a gift, it is not doing anyone any good sitting unworn in the back of your closet. Also, take a quick look at shoes. Donate pairs that are in decent shape but have never fit well. Toss shoes that you have worn beyond their functional life.
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Keep in mind that this is not a full closet overhaul — you’re simply going to be getting rid of a few things. Here’s how: With a donation bag in hand, take a quick look at your closet and spend no more than 10 minutes removing garments that are ill-fitting or unflattering. If you haven’t worn an item in two years, consider donating it. Even if something was expensive or a gift, it is not doing anyone any good sitting unworn in the back of your closet. Also, take a quick look at shoes. Donate pairs that are in decent shape but have never fit well. Toss shoes that you have worn beyond their functional life.
More on Houzz
Browse photos for inspiration and ideas
Find a pro to help improve your home
Find products for organizing and storage
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Nursing homes/assisted living facilities like to get preowned magazines also!
Annie, keep the dresses and shoes!! You can't replace those memories!! This summer we celebrated our 50th anniversary. I had lovingly hand crafted my dress with lots of lace, pearls and train. After the wedding, my Mom packed the dress in a zip up plastic bag, placed it in a cardboard box & sealed it with packing tape. It had not been out of that box in 50 years. My friends insisted I get it out to display at our anniversary party. Lo and behold, the 50 year old dress looked good as new. It hadn't yellowed, etc. & was a hit at the party. What a fun surprise.
If you've kept your dresses/shoes this long, especially as a minimalist, they hold a special place in your heart! Keep them, throw away the black turtlenecks & jeans. :>)
I take about dozen magazines when I go to the doctor or dentist office because they usually have medical magazines.