Do you envy those friends who are so organized that they know instantly where to find every little thing they need? It seems that some people just seem to keep things neat effortlessly.
Is it that they are so much more disciplined than everyone else? Maybe they just have more room to store things? This could be, but often, the neatest people are the ones with the least amount of space and therefore have to use it wisely.
Stop and think about how much of what you have is just taking up valuable space.
Do you get every new juicer or Panini maker that comes out either as a gift or because it looks so useful when you see it on the shopping channel? Do you still have that outfit in your closet that you got so many compliments on five years ago, but that hasn't fit for three? Well, it's time to start weeding out and reclaim some of that closet, drawer, cabinet, or room space.
Here are some ideas for making your house feel more spacious and organized.
Magazines are a good place to start.
Instead of turning down the page when something interests you, with the intention of going back to it, just tear the article out as you are reading it.
That way, when you finish with the magazine you can throw it away.
You then file all the pages you have removed under whatever categories are appropriate such as decorating, recipes, health, and so on.
Then move on to knick-knacks and mementos.
Not only do they take up space and make your home look cluttered and crowded, but they have to be dusted, too! Choose the ones that mean the most to you and either pack or give the rest away.
If you find that you really can't part with some of them, put them in a box in the attic and change off every few months.
Clothes are next.
How much of what's in your closet will you really ever wear again? Be honest.
Most of us don't wear even 25% of what we have.
Go through your closet and decide what items you are sure you will wear within the next year, and then donate the rest.
You will not only gaining closet space, but you will be helping someone else.
Now, let's move on to the kitchen appliances.
How many times have you decided that it's easier to use the frying pan than to drag out the electric griddle? How many different sized food processors do you need?What about that professional meat slicer? Maybe you always wanted one until you got it and realized that it was easier just to wash a knife!Unless you are a chef and cook all the time, many of these items go unused.
So, the same rule applies here.
If you haven't used it in a year or your not sure that will use it again within a year, get rid of it.
Another source of unnecessary "stuff" may be tag sale finds.
If you buy things just because you can't pass up a great deal, chances are you are cluttering your house.
Granted, there are some real bargains to be found at garage sales, but if you have to make room for the item, then you really don't need it.
A good way to control the accumulation of excess furniture or household items is to promise yourself that with every item that comes into your house, another one goes out.
That way you will think twice before you buy something just because it's cheap.
Once you remove all the excess clutter from your home, it will feel neater and more welcoming and it will be easier to maintain in the future.
Is it that they are so much more disciplined than everyone else? Maybe they just have more room to store things? This could be, but often, the neatest people are the ones with the least amount of space and therefore have to use it wisely.
Stop and think about how much of what you have is just taking up valuable space.
Do you get every new juicer or Panini maker that comes out either as a gift or because it looks so useful when you see it on the shopping channel? Do you still have that outfit in your closet that you got so many compliments on five years ago, but that hasn't fit for three? Well, it's time to start weeding out and reclaim some of that closet, drawer, cabinet, or room space.
Here are some ideas for making your house feel more spacious and organized.
Magazines are a good place to start.
Instead of turning down the page when something interests you, with the intention of going back to it, just tear the article out as you are reading it.
That way, when you finish with the magazine you can throw it away.
You then file all the pages you have removed under whatever categories are appropriate such as decorating, recipes, health, and so on.
Then move on to knick-knacks and mementos.
Not only do they take up space and make your home look cluttered and crowded, but they have to be dusted, too! Choose the ones that mean the most to you and either pack or give the rest away.
If you find that you really can't part with some of them, put them in a box in the attic and change off every few months.
Clothes are next.
How much of what's in your closet will you really ever wear again? Be honest.
Most of us don't wear even 25% of what we have.
Go through your closet and decide what items you are sure you will wear within the next year, and then donate the rest.
You will not only gaining closet space, but you will be helping someone else.
Now, let's move on to the kitchen appliances.
How many times have you decided that it's easier to use the frying pan than to drag out the electric griddle? How many different sized food processors do you need?What about that professional meat slicer? Maybe you always wanted one until you got it and realized that it was easier just to wash a knife!Unless you are a chef and cook all the time, many of these items go unused.
So, the same rule applies here.
If you haven't used it in a year or your not sure that will use it again within a year, get rid of it.
Another source of unnecessary "stuff" may be tag sale finds.
If you buy things just because you can't pass up a great deal, chances are you are cluttering your house.
Granted, there are some real bargains to be found at garage sales, but if you have to make room for the item, then you really don't need it.
A good way to control the accumulation of excess furniture or household items is to promise yourself that with every item that comes into your house, another one goes out.
That way you will think twice before you buy something just because it's cheap.
Once you remove all the excess clutter from your home, it will feel neater and more welcoming and it will be easier to maintain in the future.
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