Even with the best intentions, clutter can start to build up in our lives, and it can quickly make the house feel smaller and less comfortable. Our homes should be places where we can unwind at the end of the day, and when there’s an accumulation of clutter, it can feel more like a reminder of all the things we still have to do. One of the best things homeowners can do to achieve a more organized and peaceful home is to implement strategies to prevent clutter from building up in the first place. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Take Inventory

The first step is to know where the majority of your clutter is coming from. Have you been working from home more and stacks paperwork are piling up? Or maybe you have a collection of things you plan to use someday, but just haven’t used them yet? Whatever it is for you, getting an idea of where your clutter comes from can help you get to the root of the problem.

Find a Home for the Essentials

Clutter is usually a blend of the things we actually need and the things we don’t. This can be particularly frustrating when the things we need are hard to find. This is why finding a home for your essentials a home is smart next step. Separate the things that you use on a regular basis from the rest of the clutter. It could be as simple as hanging a hook for keys or adding a basket to hold the mail that you need to respond to in some way. Once you give these things a home, they stop contributing to the clutter, and you can move on to the next thing.

Question Everything

Now, if you want to work through the clutter that’s already accumulated, it’s essential to question each and every item. Instead of focusing on getting the clutter out of sight, it’s important to ask yourself a question: When was the last time I used this? When you use the answer to that question to inform what stays and what goes, you’ll get in the habit of getting rid of things before they become clutter.

One In, One Out

Another habit you can create to fight clutter is to let something go each time you bring something in. If you get a new item of clothing, maybe there’s one you haven’t worn in years you can donate. If you buy a new kitchen gadget, perhaps there are few that serve a similar function you can part with. While it might not always be a one-for-one trade off, getting into this habit of letting things go as you bring new things in can help prevent things from accumulating.

If you’d like to talk more about controlling clutter, or if you really have outgrown your space and you need a pre-approval for a mortgage, please get in touch. We’d be happy to help in any way we can.