5 Easy Decluttering Habits You Can Start Today

There is no better time than now to commit to decluttering your living space. It makes you feel happier, calmer, and more accomplished to get your living space neat and tidy in a snap. We have a variety of tips to get you started. Find one that works for you and give it a go.

Tip 1 Whenever you leave a room, take something with you. This one is an oldie but a goodie. Heading to go grab a snack while watching tv? Running to the bathroom during a commercial break? Going to grab your phone off the charger? Gotta let the dog out? Each time you get up, go ahead and pick one small task to do. Fold those blankets at the end of the couch and put them away, or maybe declutter those magazines or that junk mail sitting on the coffee table and take them to the recycling. Pick some of the toys off the floor, or the mug off the table, or whatever items have made it into your living space, and just put them away real quick before you get back in your comfy Netflix Zone. Starting this small change in your daily pattern, one item at a time, will result in a pristine and cozy space to relax in before you know it.

Tip 2 Set an alarm. This works for the person who has trouble finding time in their day for housework, or the person who struggles to focus on one task at a time. Set an alarm on your phone. While you’re at it, play some great tunes and give yourself 20 uninterrupted minutes to clean one specific space. For this activity, you don’t want to take on more than one space at a time- so if you don’t need 20 minutes, set the alarm for ten minutes. You can also decide to be done without the room being perfect if your 20 minutes is up. Sometimes you will get in the groove and just want to knock it all out once you get started. But setting an alarm helps get you in the right mindset and you will feel great when you have something to check off your ever-growing list.

Tip 3 Pinterest challenges are your friend. Check out some of the fantastic decluttering calendars they’ve got. These are step-by-step, day-by-day tasks to follow for 30 days. It’s another great way to set small goals and feel accomplished when you’re done.

Tip 4 Look to the experts. Marie Kondo isn't the only one who knows how to declutter! Sure, it's a great place to start, but check out minimalist masters like  Allie Casazza,  Brooks Palmer, or Toni Hammersley. There is a pro out there for everybody, find one that speaks to your personality and your mindset and you are more likely to follow through.

Tip 5 Make it a family affair. Chore charts don't always work out the way we hope as our kids get older. But sometimes setting one big goal to work for like a family road trip, a new gaming system, getting to paint their room a color of their choice etc... can encourage kids to move mountains, or at least keep their rooms tidy on a regular basis. Find a benefit that appeals to the big kids to make decluttering chores worthwhile for everybody involved.

If you're looking to make bigger changes in your home such as a renovation, refinance, or new home loan; click here to start the process.