Decluttering for Fall: My 3-Step Process for a Fresh Start
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There’s something about the crisp fall air and the kids being back in their school routine that makes me want to hit the reset button on my home. While spring cleaning gets all the hype, I find that fall is the perfect time for a decluttering session before all the chaos of the holiday season begins. As we transition from the busy summer months to the cozy indoors, cleaning out your space can make your home feel less cluttered and ready for the new season.
After many years of consistently decluttering my home, I’ve developed a simple, three-step process that helps me tackle clutter - without the overwhelm. It’s all about making steady progress and taking it one drawer, one closet, one room at a time - depending on how much time you have to dedicate to this.
Step 1: Take Everything Out
I know, I know - WHY?! I fought this step hard in the beginning, but now understand that it is absolutely necessary because you can’t declutter or organize what you can’t see. I suggest that you start small - a junk drawer, or a single kitchen cabinet, or a bookshelf - and take everything out. That’s right, empty it completely.
You will notice that often times, you will find stuff that you had completely forgotten you owned, or found things you had been looking forever for, or things you simply didn’t even know where in your home. By taking everything out, it forces you to make a decision about each item instead of just moving things around. It creates a blank slate, allowing you to clean it, assess it, and decide if you want to keep it before putting things back in.
Step 2: Use the Three-Pile System
So you’ve taking everything out and created a mess, now what?! Separate everything into three piles:
Keep: Items that you use regularly, in good working condition, that you love and that you want to keep in this space. Remember - if you haven’t needed it or used it in over a year - you probably don’t need it!
Donate/Sell: This pile is for things that are in good condition but no longer serve you or your family.
Toss: Anything broken, with missing pieces, stained, expired or unusable - get rid of it. It will just take up space instead of allowing room for new, usable things to come in.
Step 3: Put things Back
This is the fun part. You will only want to focus on items in your Keep pile. As you place the items back, think about how you use them and place them back accordingly. For example, if you’re organizing a kitchen cabinet - group similar items together - like utensils, or cooking utensils, items that are only used once or twice a year - place them towards the back. Most used items towards the front so they are easier to see and find.
Once you’ve finished, remember to take everything from your Donate and Sell pile to your car. Your Toss pile should go straight into the garbage. The key is to get them out of the house before you have a chance to change your mind about your decision.
The beauty of following this three-step system is that it can be applied to every room and space in your home. By breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps, you’ll be able to cut through the overwhelm and create a home you love.
I’m a mom of two and wife to a seriously supportive hubby, living our best life in our forever house by the preserve! I'm all about helping you create a stylish, Pinterest-worthy home on a budget. Let's obsess over interior design, home decor, DIY, and home improvement projects to help you create your best home. Follow along and say hello! I love hearing from you.
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