How To Declutter

  Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be traumatizing.  Here is a simple approach you can use for each room.

  Start with four boxes or plastic bags, one for trash, things that belong in other rooms, storage and give to charity.

  You don’t have to give away everything that is no longer used or useful.  For example, a sweater that’s been around, not worn, for a few years but you just love it; you may have a sentimental attachment to it, okay, it can stay.  How about this, get rid of “vintage” clothes that haven’t been worn in years to make space for new clothes in your closet or drawer.

  Be kind to yourself.  Whether it’s giving away or tossing away go about it like an onion, peel the layers back one at a time.  There is no law that says you have to declutter in one day.  It’s a process.  Keeping at it is the key.

  On the other hand there’s storage, using your creativity and/or having storage available is the secret.  Having furniture that serves a dual purpose is a plus.  For instance, there may be extra room in your blanket chest to store seasonal clothing or an ottoman with a concealed compartment for books and magazines.  Bookshelves can house more than books; pictures, a favorite memento or CDs can also reside there.

  As you start arranging you might want to keep a notebook, I use school composition notebooks – they’re cheap and a convenient size.  I call it my external memory.  You may think you’ll remember where you stored that serving plate but a year from now could be another story.