Achieving a clutter-free home is possible by engaging in some introspection. Professional organizer Laura Cattano encourages clients to consider how they want to feel in their living space and whether their current lifestyle aligns with their aspirations. Once these questions are answered honestly, decluttering can commence with practical and sustainable methods.
Meet the Experts:
Laura Cattano is a professional organizer with 17 years of experience and an interior stylist, owner of Laura Cattano Organizational Design. Joanna Wirick is also a professional organizer and owner of Joanna Organize.
1. Eliminate Unnecessary Items
Cattano advises that items you don’t use or need only contribute to clutter. She emphasizes the importance of discarding anything that doesn’t aid in your daily life, suggesting that possessions should facilitate activities rather than accumulate unused.
2. Mindful Purchasing Habits
Joanna Wirick recommends examining your spending habits closely and honestly. This includes bulk buying that may lead to a lack of storage space, as well as the gifts you give and receive. Cattano suggests preparing children to make room for new items by encouraging them to donate before receiving gifts.
3. Deliberate Storage Solutions
Cattano stresses the impact of storage choices on the feel of your space. She advises being intentional about what you keep visible and what you store away, as this can significantly reduce visual clutter. She also suggests a balance of open and closed storage solutions, even using decorative boxes to hide items you’d prefer not to see.
4. Establish Cleaning Rituals
Wirick shares that implementing two simple daily rituals can prevent clutter from overwhelming your space. These include tidying up common areas each night and finishing any incomplete tasks in the morning, focusing on trash, dishes, laundry, and putting things back in their places.
5. Morning Bed-Making Routine
Making your bed every morning is a quick way to start the day and set a tone for the rest of your bedroom’s organization.
6. Maintain Clear Surfaces
Keep surfaces clear by using small bowls, bins, or boxes to contain paper and small items, preventing clutter from accumulating on countertops, dining tables, nightstands, and coffee tables.
Organizing your home effectively is crucial for maintaining a clutter-free environment. Here are some practical steps to achieve this:
1. Limit the Number of Items in Containers: To avoid clutter, limit the number of items in each container. This way, when the container is near overflowing, you will be forced to cull through the items.
2. Clear Any Paperwork: Managing paperwork is key to a clutter-free home. Take time to set up a system for organizing important documents. Keep a recycling box or bin near the entryway so you’ll automatically dispose of your junk mail.
3. Always Put Things Back: Once you’ve decluttered, you’ll likely have a place for everything in your home. If you don’t have a place for something, create one so you know where to find it and where to put it back as soon as you’ve used it. This way, you won’t misplace anything or buy duplicates that will re-clutter your space.
