5 Simple Ways to Reduce Clutter

By now most of us have either seen or heard of Marie Kondo. From her bestselling book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" has sold millions of copies and has been published in more than 30 countries. Her Netflix show, "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" was released to great critical acclaim. 

Why are we fascinated by clutter?

So what is it about organization and clutter that makes it such a fascinating topic for so many people? Well, for one, most people could use a little extra help cleaning up the clutter in their home. From old magazines, to baseball cards, or most commonly-clothes, we tend to hold on to things we no longer need or use. 

Studies have shown that a clutter-free, organized living space can lead to better productivity, lower stress, and a healthier outlook on life. 

What are some simple ways to reduce clutter?

Some of these are based on Marie Kondo's method (called the KonMari method), and some are based on our experience. 

  1. Only keep items that bring you joy.One of our favorite Marie Kondo tips is to go through your clothes and identify which ones give you a good feeling or "spark joy". We would take it a step further and say that when you look at your clothes, if you haven't worn it in over a year, it's probably time to let go.
  2. Get rid of paperwork. Bills, statements, or coupons that are old and won't be used tend to pile up quickly. Get rid of all that messy paperwork which most can be accessed online, and store your more important documents, like tax forms, in a file organizer like this one for better storage. 
  3. Bring loose change with you. We love this one because it makes so much sense. Instead of storing your coins in a piggy bank, which you may never use, keep them on you and spend it when you can. This will reduce coin buildup on top of your already cluttered dresser. 
  4. Don't buy new clothes unless you donate your old ones first. This is our own sort of twist on the KonMari method, but a great way to make sure your wardrobe closet doesn't pile up is to make a rule for yourself to not buy anything unless you've donated some clothes first. 
  5. Take advantage of empty wall space. A smart way to reduce clutter while adding decor to your home is to use wall racks and shelving to store and display your favorite collections. This helps keeps things out of boxes and on display for you and your guests to enjoy. 

 

Take pride and care into organizing and decluttering your home, and we're certain you'll find some added joy to your life. Find more storage and organization products on our site, or leave a comment to let us know what you think.