A clutter-free home has many benefits, including a better state of calm, less stress, and a space that’s easier to clean. When you’re overwhelmed with clutter, though, how can you better organize your home? We’ve compiled 19 tips to prevent your house from appearing so cluttered.
Clear Things From Your Countertops
If your kitchen countertops are overly cluttered, clear some cupboard space to store appliances and utensils away when you’re not using them. This will make it easier for you to clean the countertops and make the space look bigger.
Tidy Up Your Bookshelves
Thankfully, you don’t need to donate any of your books to make your bookshelves look less cluttered! All you need is a good organizational system to make everything look tidier and even more decorative. Homes & Gardens suggests organizing alphabetically or by genre.
Use Storage Baskets
Placing baskets in strategic areas around the home means that you can easily use them for miscellaneous items that are always in the way. Choosing decorative baskets in a design that matches your home will also make everything look cohesive as well as tidier.
Add Floating Shelves
Instead of having clutter collect on your countertops and surfaces, install floating shelves to display decorative items and use them as storage. This will make everything look neater and tidier on ground level. Floating shelves are ideal for kitchen jars and toiletries in the bathroom.
Create a Mail Station
If the area around your front door is getting far too cluttered with junk mail, letters, or even mail you’re waiting to send, then creating a specific mail station spot can help with organization. Using a tray or a wall mount can help you put all letters in one place.
Use Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-functional furniture can be your best friend when you’re trying to reduce the amount of clutter in your home. Use beds with built-in drawers, ottomans, coffee tables with hidden storage, or side tables that can double as office desks to make the most of your space.
Install Hooks and Pegboards
If you’re forever inundated with bags and keys placed on side tables or creating a mess, then install hooks close to your front door for better organization. Hooks are also extremely helpful for hanging pots and pans in the kitchen, which would otherwise be in the way.
Clear as Much as Possible from the Floor
Instead of storing shoes in a pile on the floor or having cluttered items in the corner of rooms, invest in storage solutions to hide as much as possible. Shoe racks with doors or a lid will help to reduce clutter, and under-bed storage can help for those pesky extra items.
Declutter Your Closets
Closets are one of the worst areas for piles of clutter, and when they’re overflowing, you’re more likely to dump clothes elsewhere, like the bed or the floor. Good Housekeeping advises storing your occasion wear separately and rotating your wardrobe. You can also donate any clothes you no longer wear and make use of in-closet shelves
Choose a Bed with Space Underneath
In an ideal world, you’d have nothing under your bed, but clutter doesn’t always allow for that! The solution? A bed with plenty of storage space underneath. Storage bins that slide under are perfect for seasonal decorations or bedsheets, and vacuum-sealed bags will always help with storage.
Organize Your Drawers
If you hate having to open that one specific drawer that’s overflowing with old batteries and pens, then you need to declutter! Use dividers to separate key items and have specific drawers for certain needs. Clear out anything that you don’t need.
Make More of Your Cabinet Space
Vertical cabinets can actually be used much better if you take advantage of vertical separation. Shelf risers will help create more space for clutter, and pull-out shelves can even help with better access. To make life easier, put the more important items on the shelves at eye level.
Declutter the Living Room
Decluttering your living space should be “a steady and sometimes even slow process, rather than a quick blitz,” says Country Living. As it is usually the most used room in the house, it’s no surprise that the living room is, therefore, likely to be the most cluttered! Use storage furniture to hide blankets and pillows when you’re not using them for a tidier look.
Tidy Up the Bathroom
The easiest solution for bathroom decluttering is to use clear containers for toiletries. If you like to stock up, take advantage of cabinets with doors to keep stock items out of sight. Make sure to regularly declutter to throw away any expired products and create more space!
Hang a Mirror in the Entryway
If you have a smaller entryway that gets cluttered more easily, hanging a mirror on the wall can make the space instantly feel larger. Combine the mirror with a bench or storage box to make everything more organized and have a place to put things when you walk through the door.
A Strict Cleaning Schedule Will Help
If you can’t completely get rid of all your household items, the best thing you can do is regularly clean around them! Keeping on top of your cleaning schedule means that high-traffic areas will always look tidy, and clutter won’t escalate to unmanageable levels.
Transparent Storage Can Help for Easy Access
If you need to use storage boxes to reduce clutter but need to access the contents regularly, transparent boxes will help you see what’s stored inside. Labels can also help with quick identification, which means less time spent rooting around and pulling things out!
Keep Decorative Items to a Minimum
Instead of having many decorative pieces cluttering your space, opt for a couple of statement pieces. This can help create a more focused shelf or space while reducing dust and knickknacks! Rotating decorations, too, can help your space look refreshed.
Streamline Your Office Desk
And finally, if you have your office at home, declutter your desk by only keeping the essentials out on top. Use cable organizers for cords, and utilize drawers to always keep the surface clean and tidy. The New York Times also advises using a label maker to keep everything organized.
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