Alright, when you’re trying to get your space in order, it’s best to start small and build up your decluttering skills. Once you get the hang of it, you can tackle bigger areas with confidence. But the key is to make sure you don’t end up making other rooms even messier in the process. So when you remove items from one space, be sure to put them where they belong – don’t just leave them lying around! Our expert Jamie Hord from Horderly explains that organizing can create a “domino effect” – when you tidy up one room, it often leads to needing to clean up other spaces too. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid plan before you get started. That way, you can make sure your hard work in one area doesn’t just create a bigger mess somewhere else.
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Why you should declutter your rooms in an orderly fashion
Zastolskiy Victor/Shutterstock The order you declutter your rooms really matters – it can have a big impact on the rest of your home. High-traffic areas like the entryway, kitchen, and laundry room are especially crucial. Get those cleaned up first, because they can really throw off the whole flow of your home if they get out of control.
Jamie recommends starting with an “easier” space that will give you a quick win and keep you motivated. Maybe start with the junk drawer or your dresser. Just don’t take on something too overwhelming right away or you might get discouraged and give up. Build up to the bigger, messier areas. And remember, your choices in one room can really spill over into the others, so keep that in mind as you go.
Additional tips to help you declutter your home one room at a time
Damian Lugowski/Shutterstock Here are a few more tips from Jamie to help you declutter your home the right way:
First, make sure you actually declutter before you start organizing. Get everything out in the open so you can see exactly how much you have. That way, you can make smart decisions about what to keep versus what to get rid of.
Then, shop for storage solutions like bins and baskets after you’ve done the hard work of decluttering. That way, you know exactly what you need to store and where.
And remember the 1-in-1-out rule – whenever you bring something new into your home, replace it with something old. That will help keep your spaces from getting cluttered again.
If you’re really struggling to get your home under control, don’t be afraid to work with a professional organizer. They can help you get on track fast.
