7 Tips to De-clutter Your House
Spring is officially upon us, and while April showers will indeed bring May flowers, flowerbeds are already showing signs of perennial flowers springing forth. Warmer weather and spring flowers also bring about our innate urge to purge, in the form of spring cleaning. For those thinking about listing their house for sale in May or June, April is truly the month to take action, beginning the decluttering process to allow for an easy move. Here are seven tips to declutter your house to prepare it for sale.
- Start Now!
If you plan on selling your home this summer, then the time to begin decluttering is now. Admittedly, just getting started can seem like a daunting task. Questions such as what to keep, what to sell and what to donate can guide you in the process. All items you have will fall into these three categories. As a general rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn it or used it in the past year, then it’s clutter. Obviously, family keepsakes don’t fall into this category. Another reason to start now is because spring city wide sales are upon us, which serve as a great opportunity to rid your home of unnecessary items. Many local thrift shops gladly welcome your donation and can provide a tax receipt for your unwanted items. Remember, the goal is to reduce the amount of boxes you have to pack to move.
- Don’t Sweat the Big Stuff
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by how big the task may look. So to begin the decluttering process, just start small. Focus on single cabinets. No doubt, every closet needs attention, but relax, take a deep breath and focus on one closet at a time. Divide rooms, focusing on one wall at a time. By breaking down the process into smaller tasks, you will quickly see measurable progress.
- Prepare to be Amazed
Successful decluttering begins with preparation. Have boxes on hand. As you sort your items into what to keep, what to sell and what to donate, simply box them. For those items you plan on keeping, you have now just packed them for the move. Look at you, you’re already making progress! If you do not own a personal shredder, check out your local community for document shredding and recycling events to safely dispose of these items.
- The Moment of Truth Test
Being brutally honest with yourself is both the hardest and easiest parts of purging. Ask yourself, “Will I be excited to unbox this item at my new house?” If the answer is no, you may be setting yourself up to merely transfer your clutter.
- Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Throw out anything expired. If your spices are more than a year old, pitch them. Seriously evaluate how often you use specialty cookers and gadgets that take up valuable counter and drawer space.
- Help Yourself by Helping Others
Decluttering is the perfect time to help others by donating unwanted items. Your items could be a blessing for someone else, so now’s the time to share those blessings! Some local charities will even pick up your items, saving you time and energy.
- Reward Yourself
To avoid being overwhelmed by the task of decluttering, be sure to make it fun. As you reach milestones in the purging process, reward yourself with a dinner, massage or time with friends. Stay on track and keep disciplined in your decluttering, but be equally committed to rewarding yourself for a job well done.