Bay Area Real Estate Finance

Clutter is very distracting and can quickly leave you overwhelmed. A cleaner and more organized space will leave you feeling less stressed and more relaxed. Set goals and dates to clear up clutter - but think of living clutter-free more as a lifestyle and less of a one time fix. Here are some simple steps for you to follow:

Start with What You See
Starting these steps with what you see will help you get started and create the most noticeable differences. So, start with everything on the floor, then move to the tops. This includes counter tops, closets, drawers, desks, and tables. Once you clean these, not only will your space seem much more open and clear - you will be much more motivated to actually start the real cleaning.

Create a Cycle
Whether you use the one-in-one-out or one-in-two-out, just make sure that everytime something new enters your space you know that you must get rid of something. If you don’t, your living space will quickly end up clogged with clutter. If you find yourself rearranging clutter to make space for more clutter - stop it. Don’t just clean up clutter every so often, make it a habit so clutter doesn’t seem to settle in your home.

Deal with “Trash”
Now, theres trash and then theres clutter and then theres “trash”. “Trash” is clutter that people simply have trouble throwing away. The best way to deal with this is to create a temporary space that you designate for this “trash”. Find a box, bin, or room and move your “trash” there. Wait two weeks, revisit the “trash” - if you lived without for two weeks, you can throw it away or donate it. Just get rid of it. Creating this system will eventually help you differentiate between clutter and necessities much easier

Closet Rotation
Set a day every few months to completely overhaul your closet. Take out everything, and go through everything - one by one. If you haven’t worn it - you never will. Donate it. 80-20 rule: “People wear 20% of there clothes 80% of the time.” So, find that extra 80%.

For clothes that you hang, face them all in the same direction. Either face the hook towards you or against you. After you wear something, put it back in the opposite direction. Set a day to find which clothes you haven’t worn by checking the hook direction.

Remember, your home and your living space is meant for you - make sure you don’t get that reversed and make it a home for clutter.