No matter how large your home may be or how many closets there are for stuffing your belongings, clutter can quickly get out of hand. So, when you're getting ready to put your house on the market, it's one of the more frustrating realities you'll have to confront. And if you're a pack rat, conquering clutter becomes quite a project.
It's important to size up the piles of magazines, outdated fashions, spare parts, old toys and mountains of books (any of this sound familiar?) and make a plan. As with any big chore, breaking it down into small segments makes it easier to manage.
We usually start out with good intentions when we begin amassing clutter. We really believe we'll find time to read all those magazines or enjoy those craft projects. And we have faith that culottes and wide ties really will be the rage again one day. But when we hope to present our homes in the best light possible, spacious, uncluttered rooms with lots of storage and closet space is a priority. Clutter has got to go!
Start with your closets. Buyers invariably will peek inside and you wouldn't want anyone injured when an avalanche of old ski equipment and three decades of National Geographic magazines come tumbling forth. Pull everything out of the closet. Before you put anything back, decide the role of the closet. What do you want to store there?
If you're organizing a clothes closet, keep only the things you actually wear frequently. Organize the items by use (work clothes, casual clothes) or by item (pants together, shirts together) if that works for you. If you haven't worn an item for a year or two, face the fact that you no longer have any use for it. Make a pile for charity or a yard sale.
Don't overload the hanging bar. You'll not only squash your clothes but you'll create a cramped look, which is precisely what you're trying to avoid. Purchase a shoe rack and hooks for ties, belts or scarves. Use every bit of space for wire shelving or wire baskets to hold folded items. Clear, see-thru plastic containers work well also. Keep the floor clear, if possible. The Yellow Pages lists stores that sell closet accessories. If you can afford the luxury, you can hire a specialty boutique to organize your closets for you.
A major clutter problem in any home is paper, including old bills, kids' artwork and newspapers. We have the best of intentions to peruse magazines, recipes, notes, craft ideas and old greeting cards. The list is endless. Attack each pile or each drawer or each box of paper and promise yourself that you will handle each item only once. Once you pick it up, commit to filing it, tossing it or getting it into the hands of the person who will. Do not ever make additional piles to sort through later.
Old newspapers and magazines aren't going to get read. Make a commitment to toss the current issue as soon as the new one arrives. Get rid of back issues. If there really is something you need to refer to later, you can find back issues of most any newspaper and virtually all magazines at the library.
De-cluttering takes time. Make a list of all the areas in your home that need to be organized. Make a calendar and promise to do a little each weekend or every other evening. Don't overwhelm yourself by setting goals too high. Don't take on the entire kitchen at one time. Focus on one closet or one drawer or one cupboard. When you're finished, cross it off the list. Take a break. Reward yourself. And begin again when you can.
Selling your home and planning your own move are often overwhelming. Planning chores like de-cluttering will keep you on task, heighten your sense of organization and accomplishment and help you track your progress. You'll simplify both your current living space and de-stress your move - two essential elements that are well worth the effort!
Copyright PropertySource Network 2006 |
