The Ultimate Guide To Downsizing And Decluttering Your Home

Is the clutter in your home causing you stress? If it is, you’re definitely not alone in that feeling. Whether you’re downsizing to a brand new (smaller) home or simply looking to clear out years worth of clutter that has built up in a corner, figuring out how to declutter your home is a big job. It is not uncommon to feel completely overwhelmed by the task at hand, which is no wonder why many give up on their decluttering journey before they even begin. Thankfully, learning how to declutter your home (and life) doesn’t need to be as painful as some make it out to be. And the benefits are numerous.

Today, we share 6 tips for decluttering your home from professional organisers, in a bid to help you get on top of the mess for good. Read on to find out more! 

1. Consider Renting A Storage Unit 

If you are downsizing to a smaller home, chances are you are no stranger to items of furniture or belongings that no longer have a place in your new abode. While it may seem easy to suggest just throwing things away or donating them to charity, we completely understand that some items may hold precious sentimental value to you or simply be needed at a later time. This is where looking into storage units in Melbourne can be a very helpful step towards decluttering your space without having to let go of everything you own. 

Many families find that storage units can help in a big way when it comes to decluttering the home, particularly when it comes to storing seasonal items (that massive Christmas tree that is taking up too much space in your spare room), special mementos, and items to eventually sell. By getting rid of these items early on and storing them in a safe location, you will free up a ton of space and be much better equipped to tackle the clutter in your home without unnecessary distractions. 

2. Give Away, Donate or Sell

Now that you’ve eliminated larger or more seasonal items from your space, it’s time to tackle the clutter at hand. This can be somewhat of an overwhelming task if you are dealing with an exceptionally messy home, but don’t be discouraged. To start off, we suggest sorting through items and placing them in various piles such as “give away”, “donate” or “sell”. Of course, this can be a difficult task in itself if you’re unsure of what you would like to keep or get rid of. 

Thankfully, there are some helpful questions you can ask yourself to ascertain if an item still holds a place in your life: 

• Does the current me love this item?
• Have I used this in the past 6 months?
• How often do I need or use this?
• Does this item add value to my life?
• Do I own duplicates or similar items?
• Can I swap this item's function?

Once you have had an honest discussion with yourself, you’ll be able to decide on what items to let go of and what to keep. Instead of throwing things away, we recommend diverting items from landfill by giving them a second life. This could mean giving things away to friends and family members, donating them to your local charity shop (if it is in good/usable condition) or selling them online.

3. Start With Small Projects For Quick Wins

One of the best tips we have to share about decluttering without feeling like you are in over your head is to start with small projects for quick wins. Instead of trying to clear up your entire kitchen in one afternoon, why not break the task down into chunks? Usually, a quick win area is a small, defined space that will help to keep you focused and motivated, instead of overwhelmed. You can start off by spending one day emptying out your pantry and reorganising it, and then continue chipping away at other small tasks in subsequent days. By taking things one step at a time, you are guaranteed to build motivation to tackle lengthier jobs that eventually lead to a big change in your clutter level. Quick wins will also give you that feel-good feeling which is one of the biggest perks of decluttering your life, and will only further spur you on to get rid of built-up mess. 

Explore 10 quick decluttering projects that you can accomplish in a short amount of time in this article. 

4. Be Smart with Storage

Contrary to popular belief, decluttering isn’t all about throwing everything away or emptying your house of all of its contents. In fact, it’s all about getting on top of what you own and finding appropriate storage solutions to keep clutter at bay. This is where diving into the vast world of smart storage solutions can come in handy. If you have existing built-in storage, start there. If you don’t, fret not. From storage furniture, shelving, ottomans, baskets and more, there are numerous things on the market that are dedicated to simplifying and decluttering your home. Many of these options are inexpensive (sans new storage furniture), and available at most retailers, department stores or hardware stores. 

As a general rule, you’ll want the majority of your items to be concealed and practically invisible to the naked eye. Even something as simple as a cable organiser can be highly effective in reducing visual clutter in your home, without having to break a sweat (or the bank). Learn more about smart storage solutions to reduce clutter in your home here. 

5. Tackle One Room At a Time

Earlier on in this article, we mentioned starting with small projects for quick wins. On the same note, it is equally important to ensure that you are tackling one room at a time, in order to avoid feeling inundated by the task at hand. Starting with a single space and organising it to perfection will help to keep you motivated and focused — all while avoiding the overwhelming feeling that there is simply too much work to do. 

To start off, we suggest creating a decluttering checklist in order of the importance and urgency of each room. For example, if your messy kitchen is giving you the most strife, start there. Once you have created and established your decluttering plan, be sure to stick to it. It might be tempting to deviate and start decluttering elsewhere, but avoid this at all costs as it may decrease your chances of actually getting the job done.

Top Tip: Consider taking some before and after photos of each room to further motivate yourself and prove that all your hard work is worth the effort! 

6. Get Some Help

Last but not least, don’t forget to ask for some help. If the task of decluttering is simply too much to handle on your own, we always recommend asking a friend or family member for help. There is absolutely no shame in asking for a helping hand, and chances are you’ll feel much more motivated with someone by your side offering moral support. You could even make a ‘decluttering party’ out of it by playing some of your favourite music, chit-chatting and rewarding yourself (and your decluttering partner) with a hearty dinner at the end of a tiring day. 

Top Tip: Alternatively, depending on your situation, you could even enlist some expert hired help to assist in tackling the task. There are many websites and online resources offering help with decluttering, so be sure to explore your options on platforms such as Airtasker. 

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And there you have it — 6 expert tips that are guaranteed to help you on your journey of downsizing and decluttering your home. Always remember — decluttering is a marathon and not a sprint. Like most things in life, the more you practise, the better you’ll become. So, don’t give up and remember to be kind to yourself throughout the process. We believe in you, and all the best!