An End to Clutter

Recently, I shared tips for decreasing clutter in different rooms of the house.  In this installment, we will tackle the remaining rooms to get a good start on spring cleaning and, if you are selling your home, to create a welcoming environment for prospective buyers.

Home Office/Study – Create a place for sorting through mail….a box, basket or storage bin.  Deal with junk mail immediately…toss it!  Categorize bills and correspondence that needs an answer by response dates.  Keep stamps and envelopes handy in the same area.  Hang a large monthly calendar on the wall so everyone can pencil in appointments and special dates.  For a family, use different colored pencils or markers for each member.  Organize a supplies drawer, rather than having a “junk” drawer.  Use bins or plastic dividers to keep everything visible and accessible.  Throw out anything that doesn’t work anymore, such as ink pens, staplers, old glue.  Have a system for filing papers at least once a week.

Laundry Room – Use a three compartment bin or basket for sorting laundry.  Mount a drying rack or double towel bar near the washer for air drying sweaters or delicates.  Make a catch all place for cleaning and ironing supplies, using a plastic silverware caddy to hold spot removers, cleaning pads, brushes and stray buttons or loose change.

Dining Room – Install a top mount glassware rack in the china hutch or a cabinet.  Store glassware according to size.  If you have space, store table linens by ironing and hanging over padded hangers and suspending from hooks in the hutch.  Place matching napkins in large plastic bags and clip to tablecloths.  Fill a bin or basket with paper partyware, including paper plates and plasticware.

Entryway – Use attractive bins as a drop spot for keys, change, wallets, cell phones.  Give each family member their own bin.  In the coat closet, hang a multi-compartment canvas shoe bag to stash gloves, scarves, caps and pet gear. Discard anything not worn during a season.  During wet weather, roll up extra rugs, mats and towels and store in a large basket by the front door. 

Master Bedroom – Create an inviting space for adults.  Make sure kids return toys, games, books to their own rooms.  Short on time in the mornings?  Use comforters for quick bed making.  Pile on the pillows at the head of the bed.  Have ample storage at the bedside for putting books and magazines out of sight.  Give away magazines after you’ve read them or throw away.  In the master closet, use stacking storage crates for rolled up sweaters, sweats, t-shirts, jeans.  Put away scarves, belts, and hats in clear storage boxes.  Arrange clothes hangers with hooks facing out.  As freshly laundered clothes are hung up, turn the hooks inward.  At the end of the season, discard or give away any clothes still hanging on outward facing hooks because you didn’t wear those clothes.

Once all these spaces are organized and decluttered, it is easier to keep things picked up.  If you see a pile or stack forming, take a moment to sort through the items using the “three” rule…throw away, give away, put away.  When new purchases are brought into the house, make a decision right away about where this item’s place will be and then enforce it. 

Happy organizing!

Cindy Moore

Your Joplin Realtor

417-529-8525

Cindy@yourjoplinrealtor.com