5 Steps To Declutter Your Home

Stuff is like dust. It multiplies when you aren't looking, and before you know it, you can't turn around without bumping into something. Whether you're selling your home or not, decluttering is a perfect opportunity to get rid of your excess stuff and enjoy a simpler, more relaxed life.

Use these five easy-to-do decluttering tips to help you keep your home clutter-free all year long.

1. Start Slow and Build Up Speed
   It can be hard to get into the decluttering groove. Ease into the decluttering mindset by choosing one or two items a day to give away or set aside for a garage sale. Taking it one step at a time can help you build momentum and establish a habit of getting rid of the things you no longer need or want. Once you get rid of that first item, it becomes possible to get rid of one hundred more.
2. Garage Sale It or Give It Away
   Garage sales are a great way to declutter quickly and put a few bucks back in your pocket in the process. When you are organizing a garage sale, be sure to cast a wide net when advertising. Also, don't set your prices so high that people won't be willing to buy. Always be prepared to negotiate a lower price for that treasured item. When the sale is over, and the garage doors come down, load up the remaining pieces and take them straight to the nearest donation center. Your belongings can help others get back on their feet plus you will receive a receipt for you to claim the donation on your taxes. It's a home improvement win for everyone involved.
3. Set a New Schedule
   Clutter doesn't appear overnight. It builds up slowly and creeps into your life. One way to avoid the slow creep of clutter into your home is to set a regular decluttering schedule for each room in the house. Once a week, once a month — whatever works for you. On the assigned date, go through the designated room and remove any broken, damaged, or outdated items.
4. Invest in Organization
   Custom storage solutions fall into the category of "stuff you must have." Purchasing special hangers, storage containers, vacuum-sealed bags, etc. can help keep your things organized and out of your way. Custom storage solutions protect your possessions from season-to-season from insects, moisture, or damage.
5. Get Selective with Your Purchases
   Once you get everything cleared out and free up more space than you thought possible, you will want to keep your home free and clear all of the time. To do this, limit your shopping trips, avoid making those "cute" purchases around the holidays, and inform family/friends to limit gifts on Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations.

Decluttering is a simple way to simplify your life that makes it easier to relax and enjoy sharing your home with friends and family. Incorporating these five steps into your life will help you maintain a clutter-free home year after year.

• Simple Daily Habits to Maintain a Cleaner Home
• Don't Let Winter Win: How to Freeze-Proof Your Garage
• How to Extend the Life of Your Water Heater
• Winterproofing Windows and Doors: A Guide to Keeping the Cold Out
• How to Future-Proof Your Home for Changing Needs
• Home Happiness 101: Small Upgrades That Can Make Every Day Feel Better
• Fall Cleaning Tips For Decluttering Before the Holidays
• How to Create a Cozy Fall Retreat in Your Backyard
• Why Fall is Prime Time for Window Replacement
• Tips for Transitioning Your Closet From Summer to Fall

• Why September Is the Best Month to Paint Your Home's Exterior
• End-of-Summer Pool Closing Tips

• What to Know About Using Gifted Funds for a Down Payment
• What to Know About Using Gifted Funds for a Down Payment
• How to Research Crime and Safety
• What Buyers Need to Know About Home Warranties
• Browsing for Homes Online? Follow These Shopping Tips
• How to Look Past Bad Staging
• What Happens If Interest Rates Change After You Buy?
• How to Compare Two Homes You Love
• Post-Holiday Finances: How to Reset Your Budget for Home Buying
• New Year, New Home: How to Set Smart Home-Buying Goals for the Year Ahead

• Looking Beyond Closets: How to Evaluate a Home's Storage Potential
• Time-Off Tips: Using Your Holiday Break for Real Estate Decision-Making

• What Buyers Notice First in Listing Photos
• How Spring Sellers Can Enter The Market With Confidence
• Tax Considerations Home Sellers Should Know About
• The One-Room-at-a-Time Spring Prep Strategy
• What's the Difference Between Listing a Home and Marketing It?
• How to Respond to Buyer Feedback Without Panicking
• Transparency Builds Trust: Why Honesty Sells Homes Faster
• Winter Selling Myths That Shouldn't Keep You From Listing
• The Value of Local Market Knowledge When Selling Your Home
• Selling in Snowy Conditions: Safety, Access, and Presentation Tips

• Making Your Home Smell Like Home: Winter Scents That Attract Buyers
• Handling Relocation Buyers During the Holidays