Create a Clutter-Free Home This Spring & Support Your Community

This post was written by Tina Wilmhoff

Spring's arrival sparks a natural desire to revamp our living spaces. More than a simple clean, this season invites us to declutter with purpose, creating a streamlined home while potentially supporting valuable community resources, such as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. 

Let's explore practical decluttering and organizing tips to help you make the most of this spring revamp season. 

1. The "Three-Box Method" for Effective Decluttering: 

• Keep: Items you use regularly or hold sentimental value.

• Donate/Sell: Gently used items that someone else could benefit from. Consider organizations like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore for your donations. 

• Discard/Recycle: Items that are broken, damaged, or no longer usable. For electronics, explore responsible recycling options in your area to prevent harmful materials from ending up in landfills. Click here for a list of acceptable electronics that you can donate to a Habitat ReStore.

  
  

2. Conquer One Space at a Time: 

• Avoid feeling overwhelmed by tackling one room or area at a time. 

• Start with a small, manageable space, like a single drawer or shelf. 

• Completing smaller tasks provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to continue. 

  
  

3. Maximize Vertical Space: 

• Utilize vertical space with shelving units, wall-mounted organizers, and hooks. 

• This is especially helpful in small spaces or areas with limited floor space. 

• In closets, use tiered hangers and shelf dividers to maximize storage. 

  
  

4. Detailed Labels:

• Go beyond simple labels. Use detailed labels that specify the contents of each storage container. For example, instead of "Winter Clothes" use "Winter Sweaters, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants". 

  • This prevents items from being forgotten and ensures you can easily find what you need. 

  • Clear bins and detailed labels prevent items from being forgotten, solving the 'out of sight, out of mind' issue. Keep an eye out while shopping at Habitat ReStores for storage materials you can use!

    
    

5. Seasonal Storage Solutions: 

• Store winter clothing, bedding, and decorations in labeled bins or vacuum-sealed bags. 

  • Enhanced Tip: The season before the holiday is the ideal time to declutter and donate unwanted decorations. For example, declutter Christmas decorations around Thanksgiving, or summer items in the spring. This allows ample time to decide what to donate and ensures your donations can be used by others in a timely manner. 

  • Enhanced Tip: To keep clothes dust-free during the off-season, store them in large, clean trash bags or garment bags. This is especially helpful for delicate items. 

  • Enhanced Tip: If you have the space, utilize an off-season closet or designated area for these items. This keeps them out of your daily rotation and frees up valuable space in your main closets. 

  • Enhanced Tip: When packing, pair like items together within your storage containers. For example, group sweaters, sweatshirts, and sweatpants in the same bag or bin. This allows you to quickly pull out a specific item if you experience a sudden chilly day during unpredictable spring weather, without having to unpack everything. 

• When storing seasonal clothing, keep them on hangers. This will make the seasonal swap much less daunting when the time comes. 

• Utilize under-bed storage or attic space for seasonal items. 

• Rotate seasonal items to keep most used items easily accessible. 

  

  
  

6. Create a "Donation Station" & Utilize Pick-Up Services: 

• Designate a box or area for items you plan to donate. Check here for donation hours at the ReStores. 

• Consider utilizing donation pick-up services offered by Habitat for Humanity for larger items, or for smaller items a service like our "Ready to Rehome" service. 

• This prevents donated items from cluttering your home and makes it easy to transport them. 

• When that box is full, schedule a pick-up or transport it to your local donation center. 

  
  

7. Implementing the "One-In, One-Out" Rule: 

• For every new item you bring into your home, remove one similar item. This helps prevent clutter from accumulating over time. 

• This rule can be implemented for clothing, books, kitchen gadgets, and many other item types. 

8. The "Touch it Once" Rule: 

• When you pick up an item, make a decision about it immediately. Don't put it back down to deal with later. 

• This rule helps prevent piles of items from accumulating and streamlines the decision-making process. 

  
  

9. Maintain Your Organized Space: 

• Establish daily and weekly routines to prevent clutter from accumulating. 

• Put items back in their designated places after use. 

• Regularly declutter and reorganize to maintain a tidy and functional home. 

  
  

10. Shopping with Intention at ReStores (or any store): 

• If you're looking to replace or add items to your home, consider visiting a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. 

• You can find a variety of gently used furniture, appliances, and home décor at affordable prices. 

• Critical Tip: Before purchasing any large items, measure your space accurately. Also, measure the interior of your vehicle to ensure you can transport your purchases home. This will save you time, money, and potential frustration. Make sure you do all of this before heading to the Restore so you are properly prepared to check out their inventory.  Also, follow them on Facebook for daily posts of what new items they have recently received.

Need Decluttering Assistance or an Organizing Project Game Plan?

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the decluttering process or need a personalized organizing plan, don't hesitate to contact RevampT Spaces Organizing Services. We're here to help you create a more organized and peaceful home.

Whether you're donating or shopping, remember that your local ReStore is a fantastic resource for your spring projects. Check their website for locations, hours and items accepted.