I am ready to clear the clutter in my home but am just not sure where or how to begin. What are your top tips for tackling this seemingly daunting project?
“It’s so worthwhile to clear out before you clean up because professional cleaning companies state unequivocally that decluttered spaces require 40 percent less time to clean,” says professional organizer Becca Clark, owner of Creative Convenience of Little Rock and Hot Springs.
Clark says the key is one that might surprise - start small.
“Pick just one area that is bothering you,” she advises.
“Perhaps a little closet or one kitchen cabinet. Tackling too large a space is a very common mistake that results in unfinished projects and lost motivation.”
Her professional team, she points out, can rarely complete a garage in one day, so don’t try to aspire for too much too fast.
Instead, she advises completing a small project first, enjoy the win, and then move on to other projects as time and energy allow.
Where to begin?
With the professional organizer’s step-by-step process for decluttering and organizing a home using the acronym SPACE for sort, purge, assign a home, container-ize and evaluate.
Begin sorting by removing everything from the space and grouping items with similar things.
Next, begin purging. As the sorting is taking place, look at the items with a critical eye and be willing to get rid of anything that is not cherished or needed now or in the near future. At this point decide whether to donate, recycle, sell or throw away the extraneous items.
“Most Americans have too much stuff and not enough time, and this is your chance to reduce the distractions and simplify your life,” Clark advises.
The third step in the decluttering process is determining the best place for permanently placing items that will be kept.
Considering where and how often it is used when making this decision.
“Store everything here by categories and it will be easier to find, plus you’ll always know how much you have,” Clark says.
Next, decide the need for and type of containers to organize remaining items, considering size, style, color, whether the container should be clear to more easily identify what’s inside.
“Measure first and then buy,” Clark says, adding that when putting remaining items back, also be sure to leave some empty space for new things.
Finally, evaluate and be flexible, then be ready to re-evaluate possessions and storage needs down the road.
“Organizing is more art that science,” Clark explains. “Tweaking your new system is to be expected. Even if it’s perfect now, your life and your stuff will change in the future. It’s OK to revise, and staying ahead of the clutter is the goal.”Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail:
HomeStyle, Pages 37 on 09/28/2013