Daily Routines Contributing to Your Home's Disorder and Disarray
Addressing Clutter's Core goes beyond visiting your favorite organizing stores and filling up on pricey bins. Despite all the containers in the world, your clutter problem won't diminish unless you tackle the underlying causes. And you, dear reader, may very well be the culprit.
Various habits can transform your living space into a cluttered jungle, but don't despair - there's still hope. In the following paragraphs, we will examine common habits that might be contributing to your home's clutter, as well as proposals for tackling these issues head-on. So grab your game plan and get ready for a lighter, brighter home with ample breathing space.
Utilizing the Kitchen Countertop or Entryway as a Dumping Ground
It's all too tempting to dump your worries and clutter at your entrance the moment you come home. While we wholeheartedly endorse the former, it's prudent to resist the latter and carry those items a few extra steps until you can find their proper homes. Spending a mere few minutes on this simple task can make a significant difference in maintaining a clutter-free home the moment you walk in, making your quest for the peaceful haven you've been longing for all the more worthwhile.
Your kitchen is yet another zone that can quickly exacerbate clutter chaos. Appliances, produce, and cookbooks, while certainly at home in this space, might be contributing to its disarray. Try to identify places to stow these items under cabinets, in the pantry, or elsewhere where they can easily be accessed and utilized without encroaching upon your valuable countertop real estate when not in use.
Neglecting to Put Away Clothes Promptly
Your clothing habits could be among the primary contributors to your home's cluttered state, whether you're dealing with stacks of half-folded clothes left undone after laundry day or a major fan of the infamous clothes chair (that spot where all our not-quite-dirty-enough-for-the-hamper garments land at day's end).
Promptly placing these items away is an excellent first step in your quest for a more clutter-free environment. Overcoming the habit will be your biggest challenge, so take the plunge with courage and never look back. The chair seat you've finally rediscovered after months of hiding sends its heartfelt thanks.
Failing to Designate a Space for Everything
Finding a place for items that frequently get left behind can be more challenging than you might expect. Storing craft sticks, single socks, and bulky snow boots will require some thought and creativity, but dedicating a home to these misfit items can quickly streamline your clean-up process.
By assigning a space to each item, you'll make quick work of decluttering and form a habit of putting things away promptly. Make the process easy on yourself, and you'll face one less stumbling block in your quest to keep clutter at bay.
Overindulging in Decor and Possessions
Too much of a good thing can quickly lead to a cluttered existence, whether we're talking trinkets, toys, or decor. While your closets, walls, or shelves might have the capacity to house additional items, breathing room is essential, too.
When your home is packed to the brim, it can instantly feel both cramped and cluttered, regardless of how spacious your dwelling might be. The moment you start feeling surrounded by things, it may be time to consider a purge. With that in mind, it's time to plan a spring cleaning session.
Postponing Regular Purges
Bringing more items into your home than you're taking out is a surefire recipe for clutter buildup. Even the most meticulously planned organization systems can quickly reach capacity if you don't follow a one-in-one-out strategy. Regardless of the method you choose—half-yearly full-house cleanouts or monthly area-focused sessions—the key is to stick with a strategy that works for you. And see the task through to completion: transferring bulky bags of discarded items to the garage for extended storage isn't a viable solution. Instead, plan to drop the items off at your local charity thrift store the same day.
Allowing a Paperwork Pileup
Paperwork is a breeze to ignore, and soon that small stack of papers on your desk soon escalates into an overwhelming mountain. This is another area where scheduling can help. Set aside a specific day of the week or even a set time every day to address any paperwork or mail. Don't put off addressing tasks unless absolutely necessary; create a designated spot for items that need further attention. The key is to choose a location where they will remain organized and easily accessible, without becoming out of sight, out of mind.
Neglecting to Make the Bed
Making your bed is a crucial first step in starting your day on the right foot, even if you're not in the mood for it. By immediately straightening your bed with tidy precision, you're setting the stage for a neater, more organized bedroom. This simple act of tidying up can create a calmer and more spacious sensation in your sanctuary.
Straighten out any creases on the blanket, puff up the cushions, and remove any leftover items from the bedside tables from the previous night. Embracing a tidy bed might just motivate you to make this daily routine a long-term commitment for the upcoming year.
Was this helpful? Your feedback is appreciated! Share your thoughts on why!
To further maintain a clutter-free home as suggested by SouthernLiving, regularly declutter your bedroom by making the bed every morning. This simple act can create a calmer and more organized environment, encouraging you to keep up with tidiness.
Additionally, designate specific areas for items that frequently get misplaced in your home, such as craft sticks, single socks, and bulky snow boots. Assigning a home to each item will make decluttering easier and form a habit of putting things away promptly, contributing to a clutter-free living space.
