Getting your home organized can be a daunting task but one that is important to maintaining your peace of mind throughout the year. Even the most well-organized homeowners can let clutter build up over time. Take some time this new year to organize your home so that you have the space for what matters most in the coming year!

Create a Donation Zone

If you aren’t sure where to begin in the quest of organizing your home, start by creating a donation space or zone. Apartment therapy suggests dedicating a small bag or basket in a closet, mudroom, or garage because sometimes it’s easier to get rid of stuff incrementally rather than all at once. This basket or bag will also serve as a reminder whenever you see it; when it is full, load it into your car and drop it off at a local donation center or charity of your choice!

Declutter

Clutter Keeper has an “E.A.S.Y” process to help in your journey to organizing your home. Use this list to help declutter your spaces.

• Empty: take everything out of your space and wipe down all surfaces.
• Assess: sort everything into 3 piles: Keep, Donate, Trash. All items in your “Keep” pile should then be grouped into similar categories. Afterward, look around your space and determine where each group of items makes the most sense to belong.
• Store: all of the “Keep” items in each group should then be stored in a bin or container and labeled in their proper location.
• Yearn: commit to maintaining this space long-term. After you use something out of one of these spaces, commit to putting it back where it belongs.

Pro tip: In this article, Clutter Keeper also gives you tips on how to organize other areas of your life such as your goals and budget. They even mention some tools to help and support you along the way!

Time for Repairs

Over time, small things in your home may break and will need repair. Take an inventory of your space and make a list of the small repairs that need to be done. This collection of repairs can then be done by a handyman in one visit, which will help to eliminate larger issues surfacing later in the year.

When looking at your house and assessing all of the pain points it may seem overwhelming to think about tackling it all. If so, pull out your calendar and designate days to specific spaces. Having this plan in place will help with that overwhelming feeling and when you complete one space, you will be rewarded with a feeling of accomplishment!

Would you like more tips and tricks? Need a vendor recommendation? Reach out to your Helen Adams Realty agent and they will be happy to help!