Clearing Clutter Bit by Bit ... and How to Maintain It
Clearing clutter can be hard. Where to begin? How to decide what to part with and what to keep? How to maintain the space once it’s done?
A few months ago, I started working with a client for whom every room in her home felt overwhelming … like a project that was too big to tackle and so cleaning up just got put off. But it didn’t feel good. Sound familiar? The homeowner felt stressed just being in her own home and thought working with a professional organizer might help her get her projects done faster and with less stress.
We took each project bit by bit because the homeowner knew this is what she needed. I’m glad she did because each session was really productive! We used simple solutions along the way — no expensive storage containers needed — prioritizing function and maintenance above all else.
A light bulb moment came when the homeowner was deciding what to do with a sentimental collection of buttons she had been collecting since childhood and she decided that she would never move this collection if she sold her house, so why hold on to it in the back of a closet until that time?
Another milestone came when we finished clearing out then re-organizing a primary storage space. Suddenly, without much more effort, the dining room room was also cleared of piles and ready for dining guests. Organizing these key spaces can have a ripple effect throughout your whole house, making room for more storage. I say to clients with a bit of tongue-in-cheek that closets are the undergarments of our house … they hold everything in place! Funny, but also kind-of true.
The After: The homeowner feels more calm and confident at home. Simplified, organized drawers and closets helped create a “home” for items usually piled on surfaces. Each organization project we tackled created more storage space in case additional items were added in the future. Additionally, after each session, the homeowner felt more confident in her abilities to maintain the space and system and proud of what she had done.
The Before: Each room of the house had a project waiting to be completed or piles of stuff that the homeowner didn’t know where to put away.
Requirement: Clean out the clutter in each room, starting first with the closets and drawers so as to create space for storage. Also, very importantly, implement simply systems to maintain each space for the long term.
