How to Keep Your Home Spaces Clutter Free

It does not take a lot of time or effort for a perfectly organized room to become a distracting and cluttered mess. Papers end up piled on top of each other on the counters, coats wind up being draped on the back of the chair, shoes get kicked off, and other items get stuffed in the first place that you can find. It takes a little bit of preparation and a lot of determination, but you can avoid the common clutter traps with a few new habits. Here are five ideas on how to de-clutter your home spaces.

1. Have a designated place for the items that you bring into your home each day.

One of the biggest clutter traps is not having a designated space for your items when you come home each day. You should create an easy place to put your coats, bags, shoes, keys, and mail when you walk in the door each day. If you can create an entry space with a coat rack, mail and key holder, shoe area, and catch-all basket then you are on the right path to eliminating daily clutter. Having a quick and easy space to put your everyday items will help you be consistent in fighting this clutter trap.

2. Keep a donation basket handy.

Commit to keeping a donation basket in plain sight. That way when you see items as you are picking up that are worn, you no longer need, or just do not want anymore, you can throw them in the basket. When the basket gets full go drop it off at the donation center. You will be surprised with how much stuff you get rid of by just having a donation basket out.

3. Get an extra laundry basket.

Another huge clutter trap is your clothes on the floor or on furniture. Get a second laundry basket for your room for all the clothes that you only wore once, but plan to wear again. For instance, sweaters or jeans are common items that people wear more than one time. Instead of these items winding up on the floor, get a specific basket for the clothes that are not quite ready for the washer, but that you don’t want to put back in the drawer either.

4. Use the five-second rule.

Sometimes it becomes so easy to hold on to items that we no longer need. To help you decide if you need a specific item, use the five-second rule. If it takes you more than five seconds to remember the last time you used that item, chances are that you do not need it. Toss it into the donation basket that you have handy!

5. Keep the kitchen counters empty.

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen and it becomes easy to clutter items on the counters. Even the everyday items that we use in the kitchen can make a home feel cluttered. One way to fight this is to keep the kitchen clutter off the counters. Place small appliances that you do not use every day in cabinets, move your cookbooks, and keep kitchen tools in drawers. Another item to keep these items off of your counter, but easily accessible is to install shelves or wall racks.

Keeping your home clutter-free is no easy task. You have to stay vigilant with your efforts, but the reward is a home space that feels fresh and recharged.